Paris Hilton Sues Hallmark for “That’s Hot” Card
Celebrity News
Paris Hilton is suing Hallmark Cards Inc. for using her picture and catchphrase “That’s hot” on a greeting card, which is selling in the United States for $2.49. She has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in California on Sept. 6, 2007.
The greeting card titled “Paris’s First Day as a Waitress” with a cartoon of waitress that was superimposed by using Paris Hilton’s face.
The dialogue in the card as below:
Waitress Paris Hilton says, “Don’t touch that, it’s hot.”
The customer cartoon asks, “What’s hot?”
She answers, “That’s hot.”
The suit says “That’s hot” is trademark owned by Paris Hilton, which was registered on Feb. 13, 2007.
The lawsuit claims commercial appropriation of identity, invasion of privacy, misappropriation of publicity, and infringement of a federally registered trademark.
However, Hallmark defended the card was part of a satirical series that parodied celebrities and politicians, which is normally protected under fair-use law. Hallmark spokeswoman Julie O’Dell said: “Some of Hallmark’s new humor greeting cards are parodies of today’s most popular celebrities and politicians”.
“These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding … public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton’s rights,” Hallmark said in a statement.