HBO Sheds Liability Claim From Model in Ralph Lauren Documentary

A New York appellate court on Tuesday dismissed claims that HBO violated the state’s civil rights law when it used images of fashion model Anastassia Khozissova, without permission, in the network’s 2019 documentary about fashion designer Ralph Lauren and in the film’s trailer.

Khozissova said HBO owed her damages under New York’s civil rights law, which prohibits the use of a person’s image without consent, but the state Supreme Court First Appellate Department said HBO can’t be held liable because the documentary, “Very Ralph,” falls under the law’s exceptions for works that are newsworthy and of public interest.

“As a ...