Paris Hilton sues Hallmark
2007-09-08 12:13
Los Angeles - Socialite Paris
Hilton has filed a lawsuit against Hallmark Cards, claiming it
used her likeness without permission on a greeting card
entitled "Paris's First Day as a Waitress."
Hilton, 26, is suing for an injunction against the U.S.
greeting card company and for damages in excess of $100 000
(about R720 000), according to the suit filed late on Thursday in US District
Court in Los Angeles.
Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards said the card was part of
a satirical series that parodied celebrities and politicians.
According to the lawsuit, Hilton's face is superimposed
over a cartoon of a waitress serving food to a patron with the
dialogue "Don't touch that, it's hot. What's hot? That's hot."
It says the card was selling in the United States for
$2.49.
The suit says that Hallmark failed to obtain approval from
the hotel heiress for using her image and had damaged her
rights to privacy and publicity.
"These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip
surrounding ... public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we
do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms Hilton's
rights," Hallmark said in a statement.
Hilton gained notoriety in 2003 when a home video of her
having sex with her boyfriend was posted on the internet. In
June, she made international headlines when she was sent to
jail on a driving violation, released early and then sent back
to complete a 23-day sentence.