Michael Jackson licensing issue sees GTA Vice City pulled from digital retail

Grand Theft Auto Vice City has been removed from Steam and other digital retailers.

The only official comment on the matter comes from a Rockstar rep speaking on the Steam forums, who confirmed: Due to some music licensing issues, we’ve had to temporarily remove Vice City PC from digital stores. We’ll make it available again as soon as possible.”

The game can still be downloaded from Steam by those who have previously purchased it. Rockstar presumably intends to release an altered version with the song removed, though this has not been confirmed.

CinemaBlend then claims to have word that the track in question is Michael Jackson’s Wanna be Startin’ Something, which plays on Vice City’s Fever 105 in-game radio station.

Sony Music Entertainment has reportedly made the claim.

Vice City is currently pencilled in for an iOS release to coincide with GTA III’s 10th Anniversary this month.