The Artful Jurist

While I've been puzzling over the company that claims ownership of Oscar Wilde's right of publicity, a much more recent personality has krept into that ring. I'm talking about the actor Marlon Brando, who died in 2004 and whose celebrity image is now the focus of a new lawsuit.

According to an article in the New York Times, the Marlon Brando Trust filed suit against the companies that own a Los Angeles apartment building that's featuring the "Brando Loft." (Since the apartment is said to overlook the Hollywood hills, I guess it would be kinda hard to say the "Brando" they're talking about isn't Marlon.)

Well, obviously, the people at the head of the trust see dollar signs in the Brando name. The question is, is this use of the name a marketing exploitation or just an homage to the actor. In my case, I'm not going to buy a home just because they tack a favorite actor's name on it. So, for me, it's not really much of a marketing use of the name. But then, that's just my opinion. Others might say differently.

Hmmm...Why didn't I think of suing somebody over something like this. I coulda been a contender!