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Litigation

Mike Tyson’s Face Tattoo Artist Sues Over Reproduction In ‘Hangover 2’ — Free Download

 While in Las Vegas, S. Victor Whitmill applied an original tattoo to the side of boxer Mike Tyson's face. Mr. Whitmill registered a copyright in the tattoo, and Mike Tyson signed a release acknowledging that all artwork, sketches, drawings and photographs related to the tattoo were Mr. Whitmill's property.  Recently, Mr. Whitmill learned that the Hangover 2 features a virtually exact reproduction of the tattoo. In the movie, the tattoo appears on the upper left side of the Stu Price character's face, played by actor Ed Helms. The tattoo is also prominently featured in the movie's marketing and promotional materials, including movie posters.

On April 28, Mr. Whitmill filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros., accusing the company of copyright infringement. Mr. Whitmill is seeking damages and an injunction restraining the tattoo's display, both in the movie and otherwise.

Read the entire complaint filed in S. Victor Whitmill vs. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., 11-cv-00752 (E.D. Mo. April 28, 2011)

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