Tonya Harding sueing Hot sauce maker

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She's sueing a Portland man because of this bottle of hot sauce.

Scroll down about 2/3 down and look for Video Pics on the right side. You can view the news report on video.

The bottle of sauce has a characature of Tonya with ice skates in 1 hand and a hub cap in the other, standing in front of a trailer. The bottle says it'll assault your taste buds and also a "sauce NOT for the weak kneed.
Also a testimony by N. Kerrigan "it's a lead pipe cinch you'll love it."


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/


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[Emanfan]

Good for her - so she should. Either remove the image or give her the $$.

[Yazmeen]

Not to mention that it will keep her in the public eye and give her more attention, which she lives for...:roll: Pardon my cynicism, but yeesh, isn't it time for her to get on with her life?

[Emanfan]

Originally posted by Yazmeen
Pardon my cynicism, but yeesh, isn't it time for her to get on with her life?

I don't think she had much to do with this product. Apparently, her image was used without her permission.

[duane]

Originally posted by Emanfan
Good for her - so she should. Either remove the image or give her the $$.

i totally agree. why should tonya simply ignore the unauthorized (and unflattering) use of her image on a product and not be paid for it?

[loveskating]

I agree, sue them!

A person cannot make a profit from any real person's image without either a release from that person or a contract (news media excepted).

These days, a photographer who thinks she has a great shot say, out on the street, will ask the person to sign a release in return for a copy of the photograph, even...so it goes for anyone.

[Yazmeen]

Actually, this may not be a legal slam-dunk for Tonya as some think: If certain people are deemed "public figures", use of their image is not so restricted. When I first saw a story about this on TV, her bottle of sauce was next to one with Bill Clinton's image on it. While TH may not be as famous (or infamous), she is still a public figure. And let's face it: Tonya has done everything possible to still remain famous. She is determined to stay in the public eye, whether its on skates or not. She desperately wants to be famous and successful with that fame. Unfortunately, the fame she has achieved is not the type that necessarily leads to success.

I'm not a lawyer, so please, someone who knows more, weigh in with your thoughts on this and the issue of being a "public figure."

Thanks,

Beth

[speedy]

I'm no Tonya fan, far from it, but I can't believe somebody would be that stupid to market something like this in the first place...especially without her permission to put her picture on it. The Kerrigan "quote" is equally tasteless. Sounds like the kind of gift you might buy somebody for Christmas who's been naughty (in place of coal in their stocking). ;)

[icedtea]

Stupid like a fox maybe. It's a great marketing ploy for this guy. Even if he has to change the labels he's still reaped tons of publicity for his product. At best Tonya could get only a 'cease and desist' order. It would be impossible for her to prove the salsa has damaged her reputation. Holy chipotle!! Nobody does that better than Tonya.....