uBeyoncé, Jay Z, Others Claim Retailer Is Selling Products Bearing Their Likenesses Without Permissionr

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  When you’re as famous as Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams or Rihanna, your face is literally your fortune — and fans are most definitely willing to pay to get a piece of their favorite artists. That’s why those musicians are jointly suing a Paris clothing company, alleging that it’s been peddling products using their likenesses without having the right to do so.

  The group of artists says ElevenParis has been “brazenly” ripping off their images to sell shirts, hats, backpacks, mobile phone cases and other items, reports Reuters.

  In the complaint filed in federal court in New York this week, the artists say the Paris retailer has ignored their warnings to stop selling the items, including in a store in Manhattan, as well as on its website. They’re accusing Eleven Paris and its affiliates of being “habitual, willful intellectual property infringers that, without authorization, usurp the trademarks, copyrights and other rights of A-list celebrities.”

  The artists are seeking to recoup profits and triple damages over the allegations of trademark infringement and violations of their rights of publicity.

  ElevenParis said in a statement that it’s been working on deal with the celebrities for almost a year, and those talks are ongoing.

  “ElevenParis is determined to find a fair and balanced agreement with them and their advisers,” the statement said.

  Beyonce, Rihanna, others sue Paris firm over clothing knockoffs [Reuters]

  
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by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist