After the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) decided to pull all ads promoting Grand Theft auto IV, its publisher went to court to settle the matter, Reuters reports. In April this year, a Fox affiliate said that the game ads were being pulled out from buildings and buses by CTA, despite the $300,000 campaign agreement between CTA and Take-Two.

According to the agreement, the ads had to be displayed over a period of six weeks throughout Chicago, starting April 22. However, just days after they first appeared, the CTA took them out, telling GameSpot: “CTA guidelines require ads to be truthful, and not directed at inciting imminent lawless action. They cannot be legally obscene or portraying graphic violence.”

A Take-Two spokesperson confirmed the lawsuit to GameSpot: “Although we prefer to resolve these issues amicably, the CTA has refused to discuss with us its outrageous decision to pull advertising for the critically acclaimed game Grand Theft Auto IV while running ads for other forms of popular entertainment with similar content, including mature-themed TV shows and R-rated movies.”

The game publisher accused both the Chicago Transit Authority and its sales agent, Titan Outdoor LLC, of violating the agreement and their right to free speech, reportedly seeking damages of at least $300,000.

The reasons behind Chicago Transit Authority’s decision to pull the ads from buses and buildings across the city could lie in the controversy that surrounds Grand Theft Auto IV. The game has been highly criticized for depicting violence or encouraging drunk driving, and many consider it to be a negative example given to children, saying they shouldn’t even be allowed to buy the game.

The Chicago Transit Authority has been involved in a similar campaign back when Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was launched, which drew numerous complaints about promoting the game. The only reason why CTA didn’t pull the ads back when was the fact that the complaints started towards the end of the campaign. CTA confirmed for GameSpot they took the decision to pull the GTA IV ads in the light of the events back then.