It’s odd that anyone would want to use the image of Michael Douglas for anything, except for perhaps a film about old men that marry young women and stop making good films, but that’s just us.
Two media companies did use the image of Michael Douglas, however. And Michael Douglas was OK with it – until the companies decided to use his image in a bad way, that is. Now he’s going to sue their goddamned asses all the way to the freaking moon.
There’s an argument that if Michael Douglas (DVDs) hadn’t married Catherine
Zeta Jones and inspired a whole wave of "Urgh, but he’s really old,"
curiosity, then he would be even less famous than he is now.
Professionally, Michael’s recent highpoint was a guest-spot on Will
& Grace four years ago as a gay policeman. And that’s not saying
much: even Britney Spears is allowed on Will & Grace these days.
So it’s natural that Michael Douglas would start to look elsewhere
for work – like presenting obscure educational shows on public
television like Learning About for Family Television Studios and the
Paradigm Media Group. During Learning About, Michael Douglas would tell
viewers all about some important educational stuff which would enrich
their lives beyond belief. Or something. Anyway, Michael Douglas only
agreed to present Learning About on the proviso that it was educational
and non-commercial.
And Learning About was educational and non-commercial. However, the
adverts and infomercials that Family Television Studios and the
Paradigm Media Group apparently cobbled together from Michael’s bits in
the series to get corporate sponsorship for shows that never aired on
public television were, Douglas says, not as non-commercial as he’d
have liked.
And, as far as Michael Douglas is concerned, that’s an improper use
of his image and name. So he’s suing Family Television Studios and the
Paradigm Media Group for all the profits that his face earned them,
plus $75,000 compensation and legal fees. Which is more than enough to keep his suspiciously ambitious wife quiet for a week or two.
Read more:
Actor Douglas sues over image use – BBC
[story by Stuart Heritage]