Creator of Mike Tyson Tattoo Sues Warner Bros. Over Alleged Use of Tattoo in Movie
The facts of this copyright infringement case are perhaps more interesting than the norm.
The creator of the tattoo on the face of former boxer Mike Tyson, S. Victor Whitmill, has sued Warner Bros. Entertainment in connection with Warner Bros.' alleged use of the tattoo on the Ed Helms' character in the upcoming movie The Hangover 2. According to the complaint, Whitmill owns all rights to the tattoo and has registered the copyright in the tattoo (the Certificate of Registration attached to the complaint has an effective date of April 19, 2011).
Characterizing the tattoo as "one of the most distinctive tattoos in the nation," Whitmill alleges that The Hangover 2 features a "virtually exact reproduction" of the tattoo he created and that the "Pirated Tattoo" plays an important role in the movie and is featured prominently in marketing and promotional materials. Whitmill alleges that Warner Bros. therefore infringed his copyright in the tattoo and seeks, in part, a preliminary injunction enjoining Warner Bros. from "copying, distributing, publicly displaying, or otherwise making any use of the Pirated Tattoo, both in the Movie and otherwise."
The case cite is Whitmill v. Warner Bros. Entm't Inc., No. 11-00752-CDP (E.D. Missouri). A copy of the complaint can be found here.
