This is a great case. Was the case taken on Contingency fee basis by Woody Allens lawyers? Who knows. But the Clothing company that used Woody Allens image and likeness on a billboard ad without his permission is paying the price.
Is this a fair legal judgement? Well, why don’t you click on this link and take a look for yourself (here is the ad the American Apparal company ran):
http://www.phawker.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/american-apparel-woody-allen-law-suit-photos.jpg
Yeah, I guess if it were any of us we might not be too happy that a company would try to sell their products using our image and likeness. The defendant argues this was just a parody and protected first amendment free speech (not so so FREE speech if you asked me).
It’s amazing to think sometimes that a simple 6 page complaint can lead to five million dollars in a settlement, but that’s an example of what can happen when you mess with the big dogs! Here is a link to the complaint filed by Plaintiff:
http://pdnedu.blogs.com/files/show_temp.pdf
If someone is messing with you, and you need a privacy, first amendment, libel, defamation, trademark or civil rights lawyer, (maybe even one who may consider taking your case on a contingency fee basis) check out www.ContingencyCase.com.
