The ink sported by Ed Helms’ character in the forthcoming comedy sequel The Hangover 2 has sparked a law suit from the tattoo’s original artist who claims that use of the design breaches copyright.
The artist, one S. Victor Whitmill was seeking an injunction to delay the film’s release on the grounds that the facial tattoo worn in the film by Ed Helms violated a copyright in the original work Whitmill created for Mike Tyson. However, the judge presiding over the case, Catherine D. Perry sided with the studio.
The motion to delay the release of the film on Thursday would, if it had succeeded, have scuppered the $80 million that Warners have spent on marketing the film, something which Warners executives claim would have caused “irreparable financial harm”.
“We are very gratified by the Court’s decision which will allow the highly anticipated film, The Hangover: Part II to be released on schedule this week around the world,” Warners said in a statement. “Plaintiff’s failed attempt to enjoin the film in order to try and extract a massive settlement payment from Warner Bros. was highly inappropriate and unwarranted.”
But even though Whitmill’s plea to get the release delayed has been thrown out of court, the copyright case against the studio will still continue.
