Variety reports that actors Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are teaming up in a lawsuit against a movie distributor and a watch company that used their likenesses without permission.
The actors’ lawsuit said that Overture Films, who distributed their film Righteous Kill, entered into a commercial tie-in with Tutima Watches and advertised said watches using De Niro’s and Pacino’s names, voices and likenesses without their consent.
They sought unspecified damages.
In reaction to the lawsuit, Overture said: “We are surprised by this action as Overture Films has not received any communication on this matter for months from Pacino, De Niro or their representatives. We take lawsuits very seriously and our legal team is addressing the issue.”
The lawsuit states, “Had their permission been sought, both De Niro and Pacino would have flatly refused to consent to the use of their names, voices and/or likenesses in connection with the tie-in.”
De Niro has only commercially endorsed a product or service in the United States under very “specific and compelling circumstances,” whereas Pacino has never commercially endorsed any product or service in the United States.
By Tessa Petrocco (Source: Variety)