MONROE LOSES PUBLICITY RIGHT
Movie icon MARILYN MONROE lost her right of publicity when she died in 1962, a New York court has ruled.
It was decided on Wednesday (02May07) the Some Like It Hot star relinquished power to control the commercial use of her name and image after her death, giving permission for family members of late photographer Sam Shaw to continue selling and licensing pictures of the actress, including the iconic photo of the blonde beauty standing above a subway vent. Monroe’s estate sued Shaw Family Archives and Bradford Licensing Inc. in 2005 in Indiana alleging violations of the superstar’s right of publicity. The dispute arose after the release of controversial T-shirts featuring an image of the star taken by Shaw.
Shaw’s family subsequently filed a declaratory relief action over the dispute in New York federal court.
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
Related News:
California and New York US District Judges BOTH Rule
No Rights of Publicity for estate of Marilyn Monroe
The estate’s right of publicity claim was a fraud from the beginning. For Anna Strasberg, now controls the estate, it’s all about the money…
And Mark Roesler, owner of Indianapolis-based CMG Worldwide, has always been malicious and oppressive. He’s a bully.
Comment by Dave Mark — May 19, 2007 @ 8:19 am
CMG represents over 200 famous people, most of them dead -
They have extorted fees and payments from dozens and dozens of licensees through the years for Marilyn.
Mostly tasteless quick-buck merchandise raked in more than $30 million in licensing fees in the last dozen years.
CMG hawked everything from T-shirts and posters to coffee mugs and key chains.
Really happy to see this.
Comment by J Colton — May 19, 2007 @ 8:30 am