"Paris, LEAVE JOHN ALONE!"
Posted on 08/05/2008 12:18:51 PM PDT by Red Steel
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 8/5/08 — There has been a major backfire with presidential candidate John McCain’s TV ads comparing Barack Obama’s rock-star status and intelligence to celebrities Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
Not only has the highly- influentional Hilton family struck back, who once donated to McCain’s campaign, about the affront to their offspring, fans across the nation are riled by the commercials offending their women, no matter how controversial they may be.
Moreover, Paris can sue McCain in many states who have “right of publicity laws.” Simply stated, you cannot use a person’ image to sell anything without their approval and likely a large check. Try using Michael Jordan’s face in your TV ad without permission and see how many lawyers call by 9 a.m..
The question will be is selling votes a sale? Political speech, like HT has First Amendment rights to run a public figure, yet TV ads may be an exception – yet this may be a question for the Supreme Court. Obama may wish to run a Bruce Springsteen song or face on his ads, but he can’t without permission.
A spokesman for Paris Hilton complained that “Miss Hilton was not asked, nor did she give permission for the use of her likeness in the ad.”
Paris may be blonde, but like Madonna, is anything but dumb. She has multiple corporations, a fashion line, makes her TV appearances and board meetings on time and has kept out of trouble. She is still young and rich, so subject to any rock star-like messes – but she can be cool as any CEO.
Similar with Britney, who is worth as much many women in business. Yet McCain played them as bimbos and compared them to Obama as one. McCain on Friday denied that his campaign had taken a negative turn, saying, “We think it’s got a lot of humor in it, we’re having fun and enjoying it.”
Paris Hilton’s mother doesn’t share McCain’s frivolity. On Sunday, Hilton’s mother, Kathy Hilton, a McCain donor, registered her disapproval, calling the ad “a complete waste of the money John McCain’s contributors have donated to his campaign.”
Kathy Hilton and her husband donated a total of $4,600 to McCain’s campaign earlier this year.
Indeed he SHOULD apologize to Paris Hilton for comparing Barack Hussein Obama’s intelligence to hers. She’s not THAT dumb!
Since when did Paris worry about attention? At least they used one that didn’t show all the unclothed anatomy of many Paris pictures available to just about everyone.
I think she meant it was like totally completely wasted.
He’s in the public domain...I think you have some leeway when you’re dealing with celebrities esp if we’re dealing with ideas not endorsements.
I fail to see where Hilton and Britney are endorsing McCain. What they represent in the ad is an “idea” a persona of American culture. The same as Marilyn Monroe.
Hey, let’s face it. Any attorney can file a lawsuit on anything they wish, and if they can convince a jury prevail..
I think it would be expensive and illadvised to sue, but I wish they would.
Oh please, what a pants load this is. Only leftists are upset and Paris can’t be sued for being thought a slut, she is.
It doesn't matter. The Red Cross is a non-profit organization, but they couldn't use a celebrity's name or face for their ads without their permission.
A celebrity has legal right to their name and face, generally. You need their permission to use them for any purpose. The media gets a pass under the 1st Amendment as they are just reporting the news (no matter how inane, in the case of celebrities).
McCain is one of the few men who has made a video featuring Paris dressed.
The Hiltons are so self important...all of them. As a frequent traveler, I’ll pull my donations to the Hiltons and stay at another hotel.
You may be thinking of libel/slander law, where being a public figure makes a difference under the law. If anything, being a celebrity/public figure makes your name/image more valuable, so you have more to protect when it comes to their unauthorized use.
Whatever Hollywood Today is...did it REALLY publish a headline using an apostrophe for a plural?
Shame, shame...
Well, in that case... it’s time to hit the beach! lol
Well, it proves McCain is no gentleman.
Being compared with Obama has ruined their reputations.
I think everyone is missing the point on this: If McCain is so conservative....why did he take $$$ from the Hilton’s in the first place? Of course, not brillant to them turn around and criticize their daughter (no matter how floozy she is)
What liberals will do to justify voting for McCain...
I wouldn’t want to be the attorney filing her law suit.
“Paris may be blonde, but like Madonna, is anything but dumb. She has multiple corporations, a fashion line, makes her TV appearances and board meetings on time and has kept out of trouble.”
I have always liked Paris. She should look on the bright side as she hasn’t got much publicity lately and this is huge.
I think it’s a compliment for her to be the subliminal image of miscengeneration. However, Obama would never be confused with Mandingo.
No they aren’t. A “public figure” such as a politician is not the same as a celebrity who likeness is their income.
You can use “public figures” likenesses, not celebrities.
However McCain simply compared Obama’s celebrity status to that of Paris & Britney in a political ad, so I think they’ll lose that case.
That's what I figured...McCain has not "profited" and she has no standing as there has not been any "harm".
I’m offended by your very question! The NERVE of some Freepers!
LOL
So living the life she has what does mom expect? Paris will be the subject of the late night talk show jokes, gossip columns and even a political ad.....
It's on Michelle Malkin's blog.
actually no it would not because they are not being used to endorse mccain.
They are being held up in accord with their pubic personas of celebrity bimbo.
Hilton and spears as examples of public bimbos to go with Obama as a public bimbo.
fair use.
Hilton is a celebrity in the news constantly. As such, absent demonstrable malice and injury, she has little recourse to libel and slander laws.
I don’t see how anyone could construe the ad as McCain ‘selling’ (in the normal definition of gaining material compensation) something using by using her image.
If she wants her money back, McCain should cut her a check immediately with thanks for the extra publicity.
It's parody, in case you didn't notice, and that allows for a LOT.
The ad in no way suggests that Paris Hilton endorses John McCain.
Hee Hee Hee
To begin with, I'm not even certain why they're offended. I don't get it. I know who Paris Hilton is because of a sex tape and crying when she had to go to jail like everyone else. And her mommy is offended?
Surf’s up, dude!
I’d say safely that Hilton and Britney are public figures. I don’t see People’s magazine or ET or the other outlets getting sued for posting their photos. In fact the Paparazzi do pretty well.
Oh please...considering how Southpark has portrayed Paris Hilton (remember the contest between her and Mr. Garison’s boyfriend?) I think the public domain thing wins out here.
You know, having the hatred of the Hiltons might be good for his campaign.
Does this mean Paris is going to start showing up at Obama events? That would be funny.
Yeah - I’m sure Paris was really damaged by McCain’s ads....
Public figure that has started in porn video and is a no talent media whore? Good luck with a jury on that one Paris.....if you show up on time for the trial that is.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Kathy Hilton and her husband donated a total of $4,600 to McCain’s campaign earlier this yearIt's the maximum. You should know that. Time to pony up for McCain McGruff.Ooooh. Big money.
“Who actually built their own financial empire, and who was handed theirs via genetic relation to someone else who did?”
Yeah no kidding. Wasn’t it great-grandpa Hilton who built the empire?
Great. Now, after McCain gaffed and volunteered his wife for topless beauty pageant duty...we have one boob suing another.
Magazines and the like get permission and help from agents and managers to run stories. Tabloids, television news etc, are reporting stories. Paparazzi are taking photos of people in public for “news” stories and they often step over the line and are sometimes sued. It just is not the same thing as a public person like the President or a candidate. You are not supposed to use someone’s likeness without their permission, especially if that person’s likeness is how they earn a living. The fact that they are super famous makes no difference. If I go out tomorrow and start selling t-shirts with paris hilton’s photo on them I am open to a lawsuit.
She should sue Obama. He said it first.
Self absorbed narcissists...
God..He’s comparing selling t shirts with Hilton’s picture on it with a campaign ad...
Go to bed my friend..your brain is fried........
If you’re so sure of yourself, then represent her...or invest in her law suit...through some secondary agent....
I’m resisting the temptation to call you names because you can’t recall a line of conversation. I never said the ad was a problem, I said they’d lose that suit if they actually file it. I was responding to your blanket proclamations about who is a public person, and whose likenesses are protected. Selling t-shirts (i.e. using someone’s likeness without persmission) is a perfectly valid comparison since that is the Hilton’s allegation. How about you do your research and leave God out of it.
Like I said, you clearly can’t recall your or my previous posts. Talk to me after you’ve acquired some reading and thinking skills.
Paris is still a pig, like Madonna, just a rich pig.
Dunno.. I think she learned a lesson and has cleaned up her act.
She certainly took lemons and made lemonade with the McCain add. It’s funny.
See you “bitches” is classic.
“The Hiltons are so self important...all of them. As a frequent traveler, I’ll pull my donations to the Hiltons and stay at another hotel.”
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