Crunchbase Inc. misappropriated people’s names, photographs, and personal information to promote its services in violation of the Ohio Right of Publicity Statute, a new proposed federal class action said.
Robert Casar and Michael Fink alleged that Crunchbase used their personal identifying information without their consent to encourage visitors to its business-search platform to purchase subscriptions allowing full access to profiles of companies and employees.
The company’s “intelligent prospecting” platform provides the profiles for use by salespeople in finding and closing deals, according to a complaint filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
Giving visitors ...