Strip Clubs Violated Models’ Publicity Rights by Misusing Photos

Models who had unsuccessfully sued strip clubs for using their images in social media ads without permission convinced the Second Circuit on Tuesday that the clubs are liable for violating their publicity rights under New York law.

A group of 11 women, including model and actress Carmen Electra, sued several strip clubs in federal court in Manhattan. They alleged, among other things, that the establishments violated federal trademark law and New York right-of-publicity law by using their images in advertising. The models never agreed to let the clubs use the pictures and weren’t paid by the clubs for their use. ...