So, it is kind of old news at this point, but the lead singer of the Horrorpops, Patricia Day, has started a lawsuit against Mattel. The claim is that the Mattel and Hard Rock Cafe's (well, technically they are suing a toy company in Indiana, likely due to stronger right to publicity laws) used her likeness for the 2009 Hard Rock Barbie.
The case is interesting, an I plan to ask on the Barely Legal radio show to see how strong of a case he thinks it is. I think the bass is the killer, everything else appears enough in the culture for Mattel to be able to defend it. But that is not why I am posting (unless some lawyer types have thoughts.)
A lot of people around here cultivate fairly unique images. Their looks and style are often pretty distinct. So how do you feel about this sort of thing. If barbie made a you doll, would you be upset? Not satire, which is protected speech, but selling say dolls, posters or whathaveyou.
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