Manchester Cathedral, you're getting me down

The IPKat is a little puzzled by an article in today’s Times, claiming that the Church of England may have grounds to bring an IP-based action against Sony. The C of E is objecting to the use of images of Manchester Cathedral in a violent computer game sold by Sony. The article claims:

"the cathedral and its clergy could have grounds for an action against Sony for defamation and breach of copyright. The cathedral could also sue Sony for “endorsement rights”".

This is news to the IPKat. While the UK does provide copyright protection for works of architecture, Manchester Cathedral is a little too old to qualify. Likewise, we can’t even manage publicity rights for people, let alone endorsement rights. Perhaps the best chance would be to argue passing off, but would the public really be deceived into thinking that the C of E has authorised a game based on gun battles?