What’s Hot? – Paris Hilton!!!
09-04-09
Paris Hilton, the American socialite, is claiming that Hallmark used her face on one of their greeting cards without paying her a penny. She is threatening a lawsuit against the card manufacturer. A California court gave her the green light to commence an action against them.
Paris claims the card is based on a segment of her reality show – The Simple Life. The hotel heiress may have a solid case. At a hearing last Monday, three California judges of the Court of Appeals will allow the star the opportunity to pursue her case against Hallmark, after rejecting claims from the company that the card was representing a generic woman and not Hilton. Even I could see the resemblance and the use of her trademark is just blatant. Where was Hallmark’s legal team on this one?
She claims that the Hallmark company executives used her image and trademarked catchphrase “That’s Hot!” without her permission. It was titled, ‘Paris first day as a waitress.’ What was the company management thinking?
Paris Hilton is seeking damages as well as a permanent injunction stopping Hallmark from further exploitation of her name and likeness. Should be a no brainer decision in her favour. I foresee a settlement in her future.
As I say repeatedly, be original and don’t use someone else’s intellectual property as it could come back and bite you in the – you know where!
Keep focused on your projects…
Sandford Tuey
Persistence is Omnipotent!