Arnie sues for $20m
2003-01-23 12:18
Los Angeles - Multi-millionaire actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has sued an Ohio car dealership for $20 million over its unauthorised use of a tiny photo of him to sell cars, the Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday.
The star of the Terminator movies claims the thumbprint-sized photo was reproduced without his permission and violated his self-imposed ban on appearing in commercials in the United States.
"Such activity diminishes his hard-earned and well-deserved reputation as a major motion picture star and risks the potential for over exposure of his image to the public," according to the complaint filed by the actor's attorneys.
Though legal experts said the amount was excessive, Schwarzenegger's lawyer said the actor is asking for $20 million because the tough-guy actor has been offered similar sums to do commercial endorsements.
"You don't have the right to use someone's photo to induce customers to buy products without paying the price .... And that is his value," the lawyer said. - Sapa-DPA
- SAPA