Damages Expert Opines on Unauthorized Use of Celebrity Likeness in Marketing Materials

Case Overview

This case involves a company in New Mexico that used the likeness of a widely-known celebrity in a number of online advertising campaigns for its product without the consent or knowledge of the celebrity. The company generated a significant number of sales through the direct marketing ad campaign, which featured an image of the celebrity along with text copy that implied an endorsement of the product from the popular figure. The celebrity brought suit against the company, and the question of how much the inclusion of the celebrity contributed to the sales driven by the campaign became central to the proceedings.