Update: Lionsgate Settles w/ Model Gita Hall May Over Using her Likeness - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 03-01-2013, 09:41 PM

Sixties Model Sues Lionsgate Over Use of her Image in "Mad Men" Opening Credits
by NELLIE ANDREEVA
Friday March 1, 2013

Gita Hall May, a popular 1950s and 1960s model, has filed a lawsuit against Lionsgate over the company’s Emmy-winning 1960s drama "Mad Men". In the complaint, filed today at the Los Angeles Superior Court, May argues that the series’ opening credits use an image of her without her consent.

The image in question had been cropped from an 1950s photograph of May taken by well known photographer Richard Avedon for a Revlon hairspray ad.

“The Main Titles were integral to the success of Mad Men,” the complaint says, claiming that the producers “have generated income in excess of $1 billion through exploitation of the series and its episodes.”

The main title for the show is not produced by "Mad Men" studio Lionsgate but by Imaginary Forces, with Mark Gardner and Steve Fuller credited as directors and Jeremy Cox and Joey Salim as designers.

It won the 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design.

“May’s likeness appears more prominently and directly than any other image in that sequence, and in the Pilot directly opposite the credit for the program’s Producer,” the suit says.

Since "Mad Men" airs on cable, May says she only became aware of her likeness misappropriation last May. In the lawsuit she seeks unspecified damages “suffered as a result of the unauthorized use” of her likeness.

Lionsgate had no comment.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/sixt...ening-credits/

JamesG · 08-09-2013, 06:25 PM

Lionsgate, Ex-Model Settle "Mad Men" Title Sequence Lawsuit (Exclusive)
8/9/2013
by Eriq Gardner

Gita Hall May has settled a lawsuit against Lionsgate Entertainment for briefly showing her during the opening credits of AMC's "Mad Men".

The lawsuit was filed in March by the 79-year-old ex-model who alleged her image from a Richard Avedon photograph shot more than half a century ago was used without her permission.

The photo was for an early-'60s Revlon ad, and May said that she had never consented “to allow, forty years later, her image to be cropped from the photo, in secret, and inserted as a key element in the title sequence of a cable television series.”

In response to the lawsuit, Lionsgate said that the use was protected by the First Amendment.

On Monday, a Los Angeles Court was scheduled to hold a hearing on the defendant's anti-SLAPP motion, but in advance, the parties have figured out a way to resolve the situation. Court papers indicate an unconditional settlement but don't spell out the terms.

Lionsgate's attorney confirmed the confidential settlement.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr...mad-men-603495

03-01-2013, 09:41 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,106	Update: Lionsgate Settles w/ Model Gita Hall May Over Using her Likeness *Sixties Model Sues Lionsgate Over Use of her Image in "Mad Men" Opening Credits* by NELLIE ANDREEVA Friday March 1, 2013 Gita Hall May, a popular 1950s and 1960s model, has filed a lawsuit against Lionsgate over the company’s Emmy-winning 1960s drama "Mad Men". In the complaint, filed today at the Los Angeles Superior Court, May argues that the series’ opening credits use an image of her without her consent. The image in question had been cropped from an 1950s photograph of May taken by well known photographer Richard Avedon for a Revlon hairspray ad. “The Main Titles were integral to the success of Mad Men,” the complaint says, claiming that the producers “have generated income in excess of $1 billion through exploitation of the series and its episodes.” The main title for the show is not produced by "Mad Men" studio Lionsgate but by Imaginary Forces, with Mark Gardner and Steve Fuller credited as directors and Jeremy Cox and Joey Salim as designers. It won the 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design. “May’s likeness appears more prominently and directly than any other image in that sequence, and in the Pilot directly opposite the credit for the program’s Producer,” the suit says. Since "Mad Men" airs on cable, May says she only became aware of her likeness misappropriation last May. In the lawsuit she seeks unspecified damages “suffered as a result of the unauthorized use” of her likeness. Lionsgate had no comment. http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/sixt...ening-credits/ Attached Images
	Last edited by JamesG; 08-09-2013 at 06:26 PM.

08-09-2013, 06:25 PM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,106	*Lionsgate, Ex-Model Settle "Mad Men" Title Sequence Lawsuit (Exclusive)* 8/9/2013 by Eriq Gardner Gita Hall May has settled a lawsuit against Lionsgate Entertainment for briefly showing her during the opening credits of AMC's "Mad Men". The lawsuit was filed in March by the 79-year-old ex-model who alleged her image from a Richard Avedon photograph shot more than half a century ago was used without her permission. The photo was for an early-'60s Revlon ad, and May said that she had never consented “to allow, forty years later, her image to be cropped from the photo, in secret, and inserted as a key element in the title sequence of a cable television series.” In response to the lawsuit, Lionsgate said that the use was protected by the First Amendment. On Monday, a Los Angeles Court was scheduled to hold a hearing on the defendant's anti-SLAPP motion, but in advance, the parties have figured out a way to resolve the situation. Court papers indicate an unconditional settlement but don't spell out the terms. Lionsgate's attorney confirmed the confidential settlement. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr...mad-men-603495