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Paris Sues Hallmark -- You Care Enough to Rip Me Off

Posted Sep 7th 2007 2:32PM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has obtained a lawsuit filed by Paris Hilton against Hallmark Cards, claiming they used her likeness without permission. Not cool!

In the lawsuit, filed yesterday in Federal District Court in Los Angeles, the heiress alleges Hallmark created a card entitled "Paris's First Day as a Waitress." The card features a picture of Paris' face superimposed over a cartoon of a waitress serving food that says "Don't touch that, it's hot. What's hot? That's hot."

Paris is suing for damages in excess of $100,000, claiming Hallmark "failed to properly obtain [her] approval." Guess not!

A rep for Hallmark told TMZ "Some of Hallmark's new humor greeting cards are parodies of today's most popular celebrities and politicians. These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding these public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton's rights."

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91. typo last post Sarah "do you live" under that crusty dark rock!

Posted at 3:56AM on Sep 8th 2007 by Judy

92. hey judy, keep posting...every time you show your ass! and it be fugly!!!

Posted at 4:06AM on Sep 8th 2007 by sarah

93. Sarah, My My My Did i hit a nerve hahahahah, have a good night now go to bed, school just started. Judy

Posted at 4:18AM on Sep 8th 2007 by Judy

94. Paris,

THAT'S what you're good at.......suing people!

Yea, you put out an album. Yea, ya got a perfume clothing and shoes line. All things no human could live without. Oh, and how it benefits humanity!

Now you're suing an American hallmark (ha ha ha)????? Give it up, girl! I'd think you rather enjoy having your face put out there. I think you're doing this lawsuit cause 1) you're not making money outa this and 2) you take yourself far too seriously.

Posted at 5:27AM on Sep 8th 2007 by Who's that girl?

95. SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY WAY FOR LARRY BIRKHEAD..HOWARD K STERN AND PARIS AND A FEW OTHERS TO STAY IN THE LIMELIGHT THESE DAYS..IS TO SUE!!SUE!!SUE!!
PRETTY SAD WHEN THATS THE ONLY PUBLICITY THEY CAN GET... THEY NEED TO ALL GET A LIFE AND GET A JOB!!

Posted at 9:49AM on Sep 8th 2007 by betty miller

96. Is Hallmark really so desperate that they have to use the likeness of Paris on one of their cards? No wonder I don't buy greeting cards anymore.

Paris should owe Hallmark money for giving her another 15 minutes of fame. And for once, she didn't have to PAY for the attention. Her publicists must be bummed that they didn't earn money for this one.

Does anyone really use that saying anymore? I clearly remember girls saying that over 20 years ago.

Posted at 6:24AM on Sep 8th 2007 by Tally

97. You'd think she's be flattered. Hallmark also has cards with Angelina Jolie, George Bush, Hllary Clinton...Do you see any of them sueing??? No because in the scheme of things its a card!!! It's not a tragedy. You'd think she'd have better things to do with her time. No class whatsoever.......

Posted at 10:05AM on Sep 8th 2007 by girlie36

98. I didn't know you could copyright the two words 'that's hot'.

Amazing what you can do nowadays.

Remember people when you cook your food and bring it to the table, you must not say 'that's hot' or else you'll be sued.

*Yawn*...

Posted at 10:08AM on Sep 8th 2007 by Yawn

99. I understand that they may have failed to get her permission but it's not slander if you already said it and posted it for the world to see. Get over it Paris, I mean really don't you have other things to worry about like getting your life together.

Posted at 11:25AM on Sep 8th 2007 by Bitter Sweet

100. Gee, I wonder if Paris is running out of money. Or maybe she's been out of the news for 15 FREAKING MINUTES and decided to do something to get her FUGLY face back in the blogs. If she's sueing for royalties on the card, she might get 2 cents because who the hell would buy this stupid card???? And Hallmark - you need a new card designer, you must be desperate for ideas! Let's just hope that in her newly aquired spirit of philantrophy, she gives all of it to charity. KEEP POSIN' SKANK!

Posted at 12:24PM on Sep 8th 2007 by Basha

101. 'failed to properly obtain approval'...ie: they didn't offer her a cut....

Posted at 1:07PM on Sep 8th 2007 by dw

102. I am not by any means a fan of Ms Hilton's but I do think she is right in this case.. She should win her case against Hallmark. Then give then money she wins to charity.

Posted at 7:04PM on Sep 8th 2007 by Lisa

103. Wouldn't this fall under parody?

Posted at 2:56PM on Sep 8th 2007 by Michelle Nelson

104. Copright infringement is copyright infringment. Hallmark is wrong. Intellectual property rights are protected.. Hallmark is climing "parody" under the "fair use doctrine", but that doesn't apply here. They used a registerd trade mark and her picture, not a cartoon drawing of her, all for a commercial purpose.

it's not about the money. It's about the principle and standing up for yourself. h
Hallmark has to obey the law, too.

Go Paris!

Posted at 3:36PM on Sep 8th 2007 by Soupie

105. pH had to sue someone to offset the money she lost recently in the out-of-court settlement of the Zeta Graff $10M lawsuit. pH dictated and had her publicist spread the lies about ZG to the NY Post. pH statements to the Post falsy claimed ZG went "berserk" at a nightclub, tried to strangle pHand attempted to steal her diamond necklace. pH said, "I'm going to destroy you" after trying to oust her from the club, according to the suit. What a piece of work.

Posted at 3:40PM on Sep 8th 2007 by PayMe Million Me

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