Mike Tyson's tattoo artist sues to stop The Hangover Part II's release
S. Victor Whitmill created the intricate facial tattoos for boxer Mike Tyson, who appeared as himself in The Hangover. The artist claims he has exclusive rights to the tattoo. Ed Helms' character sports a facial tattoo that is quite similar to Mike Tyson's ink in The Hangover Part II, and the artist is suing since the studio did not ask permission to use his design.
Here's an excerpt from the lawsuit below.
"When Mr. Whitmill created the Original Tattoo, Mr Tyson agreed that Mr. Whitmill would own the artwork and thus, the copyright in the Original Tattoo. Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. - without attempting to contact Mr. Whitmill, obtain his permission, or credit his creation - has copied Mr. Whitmill's Original Tattoo and placed it on the face of another actor ... This unauthorized exploitation of the Original Tattoo constitutes copyright infringement."
The lawsuit is seeking an injunction to stop The Hangover Part II's theatrical release. Warner Bros. faced a similar lawsuit over The Dukes of Hazzard, where the studio had to hand out a hefty settlement to the authors of the original source material.
Warner Bros. didn't comment on the lawsuit, which was filed yesterday. We'll be sure to keep you posted with any updates on this potential threat to The Hangover Part II's theatrical release.
The Hangover Part II was released May 26th, 2011 and stars Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Jamie Chung, Paul Giamatti, Nick Cassavetes. The film is directed by Todd Phillips.
Comments (44)
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Bernardo de Paiva
Give the dude some cash and release already!
1 year agoby @bernardo-de-paivaFlag
CelluloidDreams
Andy Warhol says it all about things like this:
In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.
1 year agoby @2movieguysFlag
Monkeyiron 2.0
Wow he's crying mfor the tatoo. His bitch ass shpuld be happy his art is in a movie the f*cking cry baby
1 year agoby @Monkey-ironFlag
ignitedspade
Lol. I bet this guy has no paper, or anything filed saying that he has copyright or Trademark to this design. What a putz. If anything, Whitmill should pay up for the product placement. Heh.
1 year agoby @ignitedspadeFlag
Spack
I should also sue Warner Bros.; the broken teeth of the actor on the picture of the news from previous movie was mine!
1 year agoby @spackFlag
CelluloidDreams
WOW!! I guess anybody will do anything fro fame and money!!!
1 year agoby @2movieguysFlag
Corey
Lmao. Wow is right!
1 year agoby @coreyFlag
Brizzy
Wow...
1 year agoby @BrizzyFlag
kingbrady
LOL @ trying to stop the movie release, what a moron
1 year agoby @kingbradyFlag
Josh
Good luck with that. Flickchart has a case against Movieweb. This guy doesn't have a case against Warner Brothers. You can't copyright a tribal tattoo.
1 year agoby @shuabertFlag
Frenzy2001
It's a lame way to try to make money. I'd be willing to bet, there are some diehard Tyson fans, and people whou just think the tat is cool, out there that have gone to a tatoo shop and had the artist there duplicate the tatoo for them. Is the artist going to find and sue all of them? I bet not.
1 year agoby @frenzy2001Flag
CUPID
@Thecoon408 I'm sure it looks like total sh*t, that copy of the movie right.
1 year agoby @cupidFlag
Mr. Fixit
no they're the same tattoo.
http://electricspoofaloo.com/2011/03/5-worst-celebrity-tattoos/
1 year agoby @mrfixitFlag
Diaigma
That's too funny. Good luck with that one, Mr. "Artist" :P
1 year agoby @diaigmaFlag
Deasia Mann
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo come on.
1 year agoby @Deasia-MannFlag
MovieWiz001
Aww man, a new spammer.
1 year agoby @moviewiz001Flag
CUPID
The guy just wanna get paid who could blame him for trying.
1 year agoby @cupidFlag
Matthew Medina
the tattoos are very different. I just compared them haha
1 year agoby @Matthew-MedinaFlag
jess-51
Mike Tyson vs The Hangover Part II lets get it on
1 year agoby @jess-51Flag
Messenger
As much as this blows Mr. Whitmill has the right to receive compensation for his artwork, that is if Tyson actually did tell Whitmill that he owned the work after it was complete. It's a verbal contract, though harder to uphold with out a witness to confirm the allegation. Also you have to take into account if there is difference between the two or not. Lawyers are going to pick at everything they can to either win or have the case thrown out, depending on which side you're on.
1 year agoby @messengerFlag
Jimthar
this is nothing more than some lame ass "tattoo artist" trying to sue someone and collect a big payday for it. this movie WILL NOT be delayed. WB will hold this up in litigation for a long time and by the time it even gets anywhere near a courtroom, the movie will have been released and have made over 100 mil by then.
plus, it states taht its a SIMILAR tattoo, and not the exact same as the original. so in reality, he has no case. if WB can prove that they've changed the tattoo in at least 5 ways, the lawsuit will be thrown out. plus, i didnt know that someone could copyright a cultural tattoo design. so does he own the rights to ALL samoan and tribal tattoos? was he the first to ever tattoo it? i seriously doubt it. if WB gives in to this guys demands, they're just suckers. he has no case.
1 year agoby @jimtharFlag
skywise
i cant believe this bullsh*t. Hell, its like free advertising AND Mike Tyson was pretty damn funny in the originalm. I just dont get it. Rediculous. His efforts will be all for not.
1 year agoby @skywiseFlag
Dragon1991
Wow just wow.
1 year agoby @Dragon1991Flag
Mante
This tatoo artist better watch himself....because if he comes out on top...you know how many of the tatoos he may have done that may have copied someone else's work....
Do you think Paramount and Hasbro sue tatoo artists when they tatoo a transformers logo on someone?!!??!!?!? what an ass f*ck!
What people will do for money....this is an example of why America is in the state its in.....for example....you know why on every lawn mower there is a sticker that says do not place hand under machine sharp blade can cause severe damage....because before that sticker was there someone lost some fingers and sued the manufacturers of the lawnmower and claimed he didn't know better...and he WON!....America has to account for idiots because America is full of idiots....Mr. Whitmill....I want to sue you for the intent to kill the ill....because it is well known that some illnesses are cured by an uplifted human spirit ...which is why HealthCare acknowleges laughter, music, and calmness for the terminally ill/Depression...etc.....and Mr. Whitmill....you have an intention to prevent alot of people from experienceing the joy that this movie will bring to others...
1 year agoby @manteFlag
Salem6777
this is f*ckin bullsh*t
1 year agoby @Salem6777Flag
Bane5000
LOL bet they werent expecting that
1 year agoby @bane5000Flag
MovieWiz001
A tattoo.... A TATTOO!!!!!!!!!!!
1 year agoby @moviewiz001Flag
MovieManiac
I am not even interested in seeing this movie at all and i think that this is retarded.
1 year agoby @moviemaniac66Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
Why not sue the monkey for wearing a rolling stone's jacket while your at it :P
1 year agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Superman81
To be honest the tattoo ain't even all that good looking. He stole tribal designs from Samoa. So maybe they should sue his sorry ass. Show some signed papers where u have exclusive rights to the tattoo then maybe WB should pay.
1 year agoby @superman81Flag