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Woman Sues Over 'Girls Gone Wild'
AP (via NY Times) ^
| January 22, 2002
| By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted on 01/22/2002 11:20:09 AM PST by 68skylark
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A woman who bared her breasts at Mardi Gras and got worldwide exposure has sued the producers of the ``Girls Gone Wild'' videos, claiming they invaded her privacy and used her image without permission.
Becky Lynn Gritzke, a Florida State University business major, admits in her lawsuit that she was among the women who removed their tops at Mardi Gras last year in exchange for beads and trinkets.
A month later, Gritzke said, she was surprised to find out that she not only appeared in the video series featuring women baring their bodies, but was also seen in the TV ad and Web site.
Gritzke is seeking unspecified damages.
Ronald E. Guttman, an attorney for MRA Holdings LLC, the video's producers, said there is no privacy protection for people who take their clothes off in public, especially at a big public event where many people have cameras.
Guttman has asked a Florida court to dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed in September.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: michaeldobbs
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To: one_particular_harbour
This is too funny. I actually saw the tapes a couple of weeks ago (don't even bother, they're silly and not that exciting) and was discussing this exact issue with my fellow paralegals and lawyers. Suing for damages is completely out, as the article suggests, especially considering that posing for the cameras at the request of the camera-holder (which happens in almost every instance) is a form of implied consent. However, I wonder whether someone could successfully sue for royalties. Either way, this reminds me of a Saturday Night Live sketch. Very funny. Anyone who has seen it knows what I'm talking about.
To: Maceman
she would have a better case asking for royalties... slightly better at any rate.
42
posted on
01/22/2002 11:36:03 AM PST
by
GeronL
To: 68skylark
My guess? Some magazine will offer to pay her to pose privately, doing what she did for free in a public place, and she will sign on the dotted line. Looks like a publicity ploy to me.
I'd think that anyone genuinely outraged would do everything she could not to call herself to the attention of the press - like NOT filing a lawsuit.
The reaction at my neighborhood bar? A titter went through the crowd. (ouch!)
To: 68skylark
Becky Lynn was the September 2000 girl for this calender. She "loves to meet people!" Hmmm...
To: 11th Earl of Mar
She wants the money from the lawsuit.
Order Online
Copyright © 1999, Campus Calendars. All Rights Reserved.
|
To: FreeTally
After thinking of this a bit ... I have to agree with you. Simply by being in public, does not mean you concent to having your picture circulated for public consumption, whether it's to promote a video, a hotdog or beer.
If you were photographed at a ball game, enjoying a beer and a hotdog ... and Budweiser chose to promote their product using your picture in their advertizement .... no one would question whether you were entiteled to compensation.
46
posted on
01/22/2002 11:38:11 AM PST
by
Hodar
To: oust the louse
She'll be worth millions in a few years She'll be worth a half million for a short time.... then she'll be worthless and people will make fun of her behind her back
47
posted on
01/22/2002 11:38:46 AM PST
by
GeronL
To: Pete
Dang, sorry about the duplicate...you beat me to the pic.
This chick doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hades of getting this frivolous suit into court.
To: 68skylark
But your honor, I wanted to show my boobs to the people at Burbon street that night; not to the people all over the world every night?
To: all
To: Poohbah
My response too, almost verbatim.
51
posted on
01/22/2002 11:40:46 AM PST
by
BibChr
To: 68skylark
"Gritzke is seeking unspecified damages."
Shouldnt be too hard, they can pay her in beads! Beads were valuable enough to get her to take off her shirt, should be good enough for payment!!
52
posted on
01/22/2002 11:41:39 AM PST
by
Delbert
To: TC Rider
Any woman or man who gets naked in public is loose. Plain and simple...
To: FreeTally
Almost all courts have historically ruled for compensation when a person's likeness has been used without permission. In this case, its not meerly her likeness, its her picture, which she was not payed for. The company will settle if they are smart.Interesting. The San Francisco Chronicle photographer was snapping pictures of a warehouse fire once. Happened to catch me in the middle of the shot crossing the street. Printed in on the first page of the Bay Area section, IIRC.
Hmmm, I'm starting to think that the paper is sold for money... they never approached me for a release or permission... they printed my picture without compensation... Hey, I've been screwed. At least I kept my clothes on, which is good for everyone involved.
To: philosofy123
Based on the picture of her on their web site, they're not real anyway...
55
posted on
01/22/2002 11:42:46 AM PST
by
malakhi
To: RedBloodedAmerican
hehehehe.... she won't feel like such a private person if those e-mails get read
56
posted on
01/22/2002 11:45:41 AM PST
by
GeronL
To: thatsnotnice
If your picture were used for commercial gain ... you should have a case to sue. As you happened to be present during a news-breaking story, your picture is part of the story.
Now, if "Firehouse BBQ" were to use that picture to adverise their ribs, and presented you as a customer rushing to get a plate... your likeness would be used as a model, or spokesperson (without your consent). Then, you would have compensation due to you.
57
posted on
01/22/2002 11:48:35 AM PST
by
Hodar
To: 68skylark
Gritzke is seeking unspecified damages$15,000
To: 11th Earl of Mar
She is a business major and made a trade like that? That's probably part of the problem. After sobering up, IMO, she realized she made a dumb mistake. She'll always wonder from now on when she enters some business meeting whether all the males in the room saw the video. Every time someone says, "hey, haven't I seen you somewhere before?" she'll wonder
Also, I'd hate to be the first person to overhear someone saying that to her and snicker or something. That would probably get you involved in a sexual harassment charge or similar.
To: 68skylark
Can I stick a bone of contention into her legal briefs?
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