Publicity class-action lawsuits appear to be getting a lot of attention

Lawyers' Forum

By Justin O. Kay and Zoë K. Wilhelm

Justin O. Kay is a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He focuses on defending complex civil matters in federal court, state court and before federal agencies. He is a member of the firm’s class actions practice and Telephone Consumer Protection Act practice. Zoë K. Wilhelm is an associate at the same firm. She has a broad litigation practice, with an emphasis on cases involving privacy-based claims, corporate governance disputes and consumer class actions.

Posted March 21, 2017 1:28 PM

When one thinks of a “right of publicity,” one’s thoughts might reasonably first turn to actors and athletes, and the protections afforded to their images and likenesses because of their perceived unique economic value.Case law is replete with examples of lawsuits invoking such protections on behalf of celebrities, and the lawsuits themselves are often front page news: The dispute between retired professional basketball player Michael Jordan and Dominick’s Finer Foods over the use of Jordan’s …

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