Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro is suing the creators of Fortnite for using his famous Carlton dance in the "most popular video game currently in the world".

Key points: Mr Ribeiro has asked Epic Games to stop using his moves

Mr Ribeiro has asked Epic Games to stop using his moves The Fresh Prince star said he is in the process of copyrighting the dance

The Fresh Prince star said he is in the process of copyrighting the dance The game maker reportedly "failed to … even ask permission" to use the dance

In a lawsuit filed in a US federal court on Monday, Ribeiro alleged Fortnite creator Epic Games used his famous dance without permission or credit.

Ribeiro's dance was popularised through his character Carlton Banks on the 90s sitcom.

The actor has asked for a judge's order to stop Fortnite from using his moves, which were first performed in a 1991 Fresh Prince episode.

Ribeiro said he is in the process of copyrighting the dance.

Alfonso Ribeiro debuted his Carlton Dance in a 1991 Fresh Prince episode. ( AP/Invision: Willy Sanjuan )

Speaking on behalf of the star, law firm Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht said in a statement: "It is widely recognised that Mr Ribeiro's likeness and intellectual property have been misappropriated by Epic Games in the most popular video game currently in the world, Fortnite.

"Epic has earned record profits off of downloadable content in the game, including emotes like Fresh.

"Epic has failed to compensate or even ask permission from Mr Ribeiro for the use of his likeness and iconic intellectual property.

"Therefore, Mr Ribeiro is seeking his fair and reasonable share of profits Epic has earned by use of his iconic intellectual property in Fortnite and as a result is requesting through the courts that Epic cease all use of Mr Ribeiro's signature dance."

The law firm explained it is also representing Mr Ribeiro as he pursues "similar claims" against NBA 2K developer Take Two Interactive and Visual Concepts.

Earlier this month, rapper 2 Milly sued Epic Games for using his Milly Rock dance without permission.

AP/ABC