Excalibur sued by ex-porn actress
 

One of the few former adult film survivors, Ms. Heidi Nelson-Grossman, aka Heidi Cat, announced a multi-count, multi-million dollar lawsuit filed in Van Nuys, CA the porn capitol of the world, against Excalibur Entertainment Inc., the world?s largest distributor of XXX movies. Heidi quit the industry prior to the birth of the Internet thirteen years ago and has since reformed her life. Excalibur has marketed and sold products using Heidi?s real name, image and likeness to present date. Excalibur Films incorrectly credits Heidi with over 150 adult films. She never appears in many of the films being sold on an unauthorized Web page made by Excalibur. Further, Excalibur has marketed and sold Compilation Films, DVD?s, CD-ROM?s, Movie Trailer, VHS, and a Slide Show, none of which she agreed to, new about, or was paid. It is estimated that Excalibur Films, its subsidiaries, affiliates and/or agents, have profited millions of dollars from the unauthorized use of Heidi?s name, image, and likeness whether or not she actually appeared in the products being sold.

Interesting first post.

Well at least she is suing for what may be a legitimate reason... but that's obviously a contractual issue for the lawyers & courts to figure out.

However, it is refreshing to see a "real" argument in today's "blame others then try to profit from your own mistakes" society.

Let's just hope that she'll emerge victorious (wtf?)

Now that is a useful first post! I hope she comes out of this good!

jDoG

yup, it sucks porn stars don't have a lot of the same royalty/likeness rights as "legit" performers...

If she signed model releases doesnt she really have no rights?

People sue other people for just about anything.. I dont see the news.

our contracts include

" ...THE UNRESTRICTED RIGHTS AND PERMISSION NOW AND HEREAFTER TO COPYRIGHT AND TO USE, DISPLAY, SELL, PUBLISH, AND REUSE AND REPUBLISH ANY AND ALL IMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY AND ALL VISUAL, AUDIO, AND OTHER IMAGES OR IMPRESSIONS, PHOTOGRAPHS, NEGATIVES, SLIDES, VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS, MOVING PICTURES, DIGITAL IMAGES AND ANY OTHER ORIGINAL OR DERIVED WORKS) OF MYSELF. I GRANT THIS PERMISSION IN PERPETUITY IN MY OWN BEHALF AND ON THE BEHALF OF MY ESTATE IN THE EVENT OF MY DEATH. THIS DOCUMENT COVERS ALL USES AND PURPOSES (ALL USES IN ALL CURRENT AND ANY FUTURE MEDIA TYPES THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND ASSOCIATES CHOSE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ILLISTRATION, ADVERTISING, ART, PUBLICATIONS, TRADE, COLLECTIONS, REPRODUCTIONS, PROMOTIONS, EDITORIAL, BROADCAST, PRODUCTS AND SALES)...

that pretty much covers any invention of say, crystal storage technology or holographic characters currently being looked into for desktop presentations.

But in the early 80s late 70 who was thinking so outside the box like humans do now. I feel her pain but if she signed away her rights shes probably not going to benefit, my :2 cents: