Hartford Bar Can’t Duck Claims It Used Models’ Images in Ads

A Hartford, Conn. nightclub couldn’t get a federal court to dismiss most claims from 10 models who said the business altered and used their images in ads without permission.

The lawsuit sufficiently accused Casona Restaurant of violating Lanham Act false advertising and false association provisions, as well as state law against commercially appropriating images without permission, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut said.

The case shows that a plaintiff doesn’t have to be famous to pursue a Lanham Act claim for false association.

Algoo Realty LLC, which operates Casona Restaurant, said the models hadn’t established fame or ...