Skip to main content

ziwen zhu's Library tagged no_tag   View Popular

02 Aug 09

Result

  • Here, defendants' posting of plaintiff's photographs on ATAModels.net and their submission of her photograph to
    Don Diva magazine constitute sufficient evidence of the commercial value in plaintiff's likeness. Nevertheless, additional evidence presented by plaintiff, specifically, that plaintiff has contracted to model clothing in a fashion show, to play an extra in a music video, and to work as an exotic dancer, supports a finding that there is value in associating an item of commerce with plaintiff's identity.
  • Second, defendants benefited from the use of plaintiff's photographs. The posting on ATAModels.net demonstrated defendants' photography skills and the pictorial in
    Don Diva magazine advertised their website, EyeCandyModeling.com.
19 Jul 09

Link Viewer

  • Olan Mills, Inc. v. Dodd, [FN14] expressly recognized a cause of action for invasion of privacy, albeit one limited to the facts of that case. The dispute arose when the defendant photography company used the plaintiff's portrait, which it had taken in the ordinary course of business, for advertising purposes. While the plaintiff had obviously permitted the photograph to be taken, she simply wanted it for her daughter and did not consent to its use in an advertising campaign. The plaintiff claimed humiliation and embarrassment as a result of her unwilling association with the defendant's promotional efforts, and the jury awarded $2,500 in damages. The supreme court affirmed, holding that a plaintiff may recover damages for “humiliation and mental suffering in the absence of any physical injury . . . for violation of the right t
  • There may be circumstances in which the ability to protect or exploit one's likeness collides with freedom of speech and press, although the First Amendment does not provide an absolute shield from suits based on either appropriation or publicity theories.
20 May 09

Find Result - 867 F.Supp. 1009

  • republication of photograph in promotional brochure, which photograph had previously been published in a prior brochure, resulted in separate cause of action for unauthorized use of personality to promote product;
08 Mar 09

Result

  • We decline to apply such a broad interpretation to G.L. c. 214, s 3A. The statutory scheme of Massachusetts differs from that of New York. The caption of New York Civil Rights Law s 50 is “Right of Privacy,” although the term *748
    nowhere appears in the text of the statute itself.[FN4] Even if it might be said that this wording invited broad construction, it would be inappropriate to follow this route in construing G.L. c. 214, s 3A, because our Legislature has provided a separate statute, G.L. c. 214, s 1B, with the caption “Right of Privacy,” which reads in pertinent part, “A person shall have a right against unreasonable, substantial or serious interference with his privacy.” [FN5] In order to avoid creating an unwarranted statutory redundancy where none actually exists, we must interpret G.L. **850
    c. 214, s 3A, in a way that permits it to perform its intended function without overlapping the function of the Right of Privacy statute.
  • A sharp distinction must therefore be drawn between the interest which is protected by the New York “Right of Privacy” statute and that which is protected by G.L. c. 214, s 3A. In *749
    Themo v. New England Newspaper Publishing Co., 306 Mass. 54, 57, 27 N.E.2d 753, 755 (1940), this court characterized the right of privacy as a right which “directly concerns one's own peace of mind.” In contrast, the interest which is protected by G.L. c. 214, s 3A, is the interest in not having the commercial value of one's name, portrait or picture appropriated to the benefit of another. The value of one's name, portrait or picture is not appropriated “when it is published for purposes other than taking advantage of his reputation, prestige, or other value associated with him, for purposes of publicity.” See Restatement (Second) of Torts s 652C, comment d (1977). Thus, the crucial distinction under G.L. c. 214, s 3A, must be between situations in which the defendant makes an incidental use of the plaintiff's name, portrait or picture and those in which the defendant uses the plaintiff's name, portrait or picture deliberately to exploit its value for advertising or trade purposes.
  • 1 more annotations...

Result

  • Mass. Gen. Laws c. 214 § 3A provides,
    inter alia, that “[a]ny person whose name, portrait or picture is used within the commonwealth for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade without his written consent ... may recover damages for any injuries sustained by reason of such use.” The statute protects an individual's interest in preventing “the commercial value of one's name, portrait, or picture appropriated [for] the benefit of another.”
    Tropeano v. Atlantic Monthly Co., 379 Mass. 745, 749, 400 N.E.2d 847 (1980)
    . However, the value of one's name or picture “is not appropriated ‘when it is published for purposes other than taking advantage of his reputation, prestige, or other value associated with him, for purposes*140
    of publicity.’ ”
    Id. at 749, 400 N.E.2d 847
    (quoting Restatement (Second) of Torts § 652(c), comment d (1977)). “ ‘The fact that the defendant is engaged in the business of publication, for example of a newspaper, out of which he makes or seeks to make a profit, is not enough to make the incidental publication a commercial use of the name or likeness' ”.
    Id. (quoting
    Nelson v. Maine Times, 373 A.2d 1221 (Me.1977)
    );
    Tropeano, 379 Mass. at 749, 400 N.E.2d 847
    (dismissing commercial use claim because plaintiff's photograph was published as part of commentary, not as means of soliciting sales or in association with an advertisement).
  • Albright asserts that defendants profited directly from the use of his name in connection with the picture because it helped sell books and get publicity for the Book in various magazines and news articles. Albright's argument falls squarely under the example of a newspaper that seeks to make a profit but merely incidentally uses a plaintiff's name or likeness.
    See id.;
    Morrell v. Forbes, Inc., 603 F.Supp. 1305 (D.Mass.1985)
    (finding publication of plaintiff's photograph in connection with magazine's story on organized crime did not constitute appropriation for advertising or commercial purposes);
    Kleinerman v. Hodge, 1996 WL 1186891 (Mass.Super.1996)
    (finding incidental use where newspaper published plaintiff's photograph in connection with article printed for the general interest it would evoke). Albright relies on the fact that he was paid for his story to show its commercial value, but this fact does not transform the use into the type of advertising use that the statute prevents.
  • 2 more annotations...

Result

  • [8] Headnote Citing References The court also concludes that the plaintiff is likely to prevail on his claim that the defendants' use of the plaintiff's name and picture is contrary to M.G.L. c. 214, § 3A. That section provides:
  • Any person whose name, portrait or picture is used within the commonwealth for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade without his written consent may bring a civil action in the superior court against the person so using his name, portrait or picture, to prevent and restrain the use thereof ...


    The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has stated that “the interest which is protected by G.L. c. 214, § 3A, is the interest in not having the commercial value of one's name, portrait or picture appropriated to the *954
    benefit of another.”
    Tropeano v. The Atlantic Monthly Co., 379 Mass. 745, 400 N.E.2d 847, 850 (1980)
    .

    While the plaintiff previously authorized the defendants' use of his picture, it is clear that he does not do so now. Similarly, while the plaintiff at one time authorized the defendants' use of his name in the title of the defendants' publications without the payment of royalties, he now no longer does so. The plaintiff has thus made a showing that he will more likely than not succeed on the claimed violation of M.G.L. c. 214, § 3A.

Result

  • Plaintiff's second theory of liability is based on Mass.G.L. c. 214, § 3A, which forbids the unauthorized use of a person's name, portrait or picture for advertising purposes or for purposes of trade. It would appear that the decision of the Supreme Court in Time, Inc. v. Hill, 385 U.S. 374, 87 S.Ct. 534, 17 L.Ed.2d 456 (1967), which contained a claim under the New York State Right to Privacy statute, was adverse to the plaintiff. The New York statute was *789
    similar in language and import to Mass.G.L. c. 214, § 3A. Thus, it would appear that defendants' First Amendment privilege would override any cause of action under the Massachusetts statute.

Result

  • 1.
    G.L. c. 214, § 3A. This statute provides in material part: “Any person whose name ... is used ... for the purposes of trade without his written consent **17
    may bring a civil action ... and may recover damages for injuries sustained....” It is clear that, when the defendant responded truthfully to an interrogatory that he had consulted with the plaintiff, he did not use such name “for the purposes of trade” as that term is used in the statute. It may be too much to say that the defendant was compelled to disclose the plaintiff's name. However, in pursuit of compliance with the spirit of full discovery promoted by the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure (see Mass.R.Civ.P. 26[b][4], 365 Mass. 772 [1974] ), the defendant's disclosure of the plaintiff's name is hardly blameworthy or actionable. See
    Ager v. Jane C. Stormont Hosp. & Training Sch., 622 F.2d 496, 501 (10th Cir.1980)
    .

    In this connection, we are not oblivious to the potential abuse for which such disclosure may be used. It is all too clear that the use of prominent names in a specialty implicated in a case may be useful in forcing a settlement. An expert should be protected from such exploitation if he has been a stranger to the litigation. However, the plaintiff here was no stranger to the litigation because he and his assistant had discussed the case with the defendant and with the attorneys in the defendant's law office and even expressed an interest in it.

Result

  • Plaintiff McMann's first claim is for invasion of his statutory right of privacy under Massachusetts law. “A person shall have a right against unreasonable, substantial or serious interference with his privacy.” FN49 The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has explained this right:

    FN49. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 214, § 1B (2006).



    “The notion of a right of privacy is founded on the idea that individuals may hold close certain manuscripts, private letters, family photographs, or private conduct which is no business of the public and the publicizing of which is, therefore, offensive. The appearance of a person in a public place necessarily involves doffing the cloak of privacy which the law protects.” FN50

    FN50.
    Cefalu v. Globe Newspaper Co., 8 Mass.App.Ct. 71, 391 N.E.2d 935, 939 (1979)



    Publishing a description of business activity, describing a posting made on a public message board, or distributing a publicly available portrait photograph all resemble publishing appearances made in a public place. These activities do not impinge this right of privacy.
  • Mr. McMann also has the right to prevent others from using his likeness for advertising purposes.FN51 The right protected in this statute is the “interest in not having the commercial value of one's name, portrait or picture appropriated to the benefit of another.” FN52 This right is not infringed when Mr. McMann's portrait “is published for purposes other than taking advantage of his reputation, prestige, or other value associated with him, for purposes of publicity.” FN53 By posting Paul McMann's photograph on his webpage, John Doe did not attempt to employ the photo for commercial value, but rather as part of a declaration of his opinion of Mr. McMann. John Doe has not infringed Mr. McMann's statutory rights to prevent appropriation of his name or likeness for commercial gain.

    FN51. Mass Gen Laws. Ch 214, § 3A (2006).


    FN52.
    Tropeano v. Atlantic Monthly Co., 379 Mass. 745, 400 N.E.2d 847, 850 (1980)
    (dismissing plaintiff's claim where defendant was merely reporting on plaintiff's situation).


    FN53.
    Albright v. Morton, 321 F.Supp.2d 130, 139-140 (D.Mass.2004)
    .

Find Result - 70 F.3d 206

  • Third, the district court concluded that Donoghue was likely to prevail on his claim that the Defendants-Appellees used his name and photograph in a manner that violated Mass.Gen.L. ch. 214 § 3A (Count II). The section of the statute quoted by the district court reads:


    Any person whose name, portrait or picture is used within the commonwealth for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade without his written consent may bring a civil action in the superior court against the person so using his name, portrait or picture, to prevent and restrain the use thereof....


    Mass.Gen.L. ch. 214 § 3A. The court found that “[w]hile the plaintiff previously authorized the defendants' use of his picture, it is clear that he does not do so now.”
    Donoghue v. IBC/USA (Publications), Inc., 886 F.Supp. at 954
    . Thus, Donoghue was likely to prevail on Count II.
06 Mar 09

LawHelp HTML Document

  • (only if you are indigent and cannot afford to pay the filing & service fees)
02 Mar 09

Find Result - MA ST 214 § 1B

  • rivacy in the Workplace--Definition of Privacy--Prosser's Four-Part Definition of Privacy Under the Common Law.
  • Massachusetts Privacy Act.
  • 7 more annotations...
11 Feb 09

Find Result - 120 S.Ct. 2143

  • medical malpractice and fraud
  • Following amendment of complaint to add count for breach of fiduciary duty in violation of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA),
01 Feb 09

Result

  • IV. Invasion of Privacy

Find Result - 36 MAPRAC § 20:109

  • Intrusion upon a person's physical solitude or seclusion is one sub-tort
  • Another sub-tort is public disclosure of private facts about a person
  • 1 more annotations...
27 Jan 09

Find Result - 469 S.E.2d 783

  • damages from a fire allegedly caused by Chapman's employees.
  • prevent Auto Owners' experts**784
    from testifying about certain evidence that Auto Owners destroyed which was essential to Auto Owners' theory of causation
  • 8 more annotations...

Find Result - 469 S.E.2d 783

  • In appropriate circumstances, trial court may remedy prejudice resulting to party from another party's destruction or spoliation of evidence by dismissing case or excluding testimony about the evidence; trial court is not limited to charging jury that spoliation raises rebuttable presumption against spoliator

Find Result - 647 S.E.2d 29

  • held that spoliation by reusing videotape to record events in bar raised rebuttable presumption against bar owner.
  • Proof of spoliation raises a rebuttable presumption against the spoliator that the evidence favored the spoliator's opponent, a fact rendering summary judgment inappropriate.
  • 7 more annotations...

Find Result - 667 S.E.2d 150

  • (1) whether the party seeking sanctions was prejudiced as a result of the destruction of the evidence; (2) whether the prejudice could be cured; (3) the practical importance of the evidence; (4) whether the party who destroyed the evidence acted in good or bad faith; and (5) the potential for abuse if expert testimony about the evidence was not excluded.
  • “Spoliation” refers to the destruction or failure to preserve evidence that is necessary to contemplated or pending litigation.
  • 38 more annotations...

Find Result - 420 S.E.2d 820

  • If it is found that Schafer caused or contributed to the loss of the subject records, a presumption would be raised against him that the evidence favored CNA's alter ego theory. “Spoliation of evidence raises a presumption against the spoliator.”
  • There is a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether Schafer is responsible for the unavailability of the records. This precludes the grant of summary judgment to the Georgia company.
1 - 20 of 90 Next › Last »
Showing 20 items per page

Highlighter, Sticky notes, Tagging, Groups and Network: integrated suite dramatically boosting research productivity. Learn more »

Join Diigo