Paparazzi agency sues blogger Perez Hilton
Paparazzi agency suesblogger Perez Hilton
LOS ANGELES -- Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton is being stalked by paparazzi -- in court, at least.
X17 Inc., a Los Angeles photo agency known for its images of stars in personal or embarrassing moments, has filed a 7.6-million federal copyright infringement lawsuit against Hilton.
Hilton's Los Angeles-based site, PerezHilton.com, posts tabloid photos of celebs and adds cheeky captions and rudimentary doodles.
The suit claims Hilton used 51 photographs without permission, payment or credit, including images of a pregnant Katie Holmes, Kevin Federline pumping gas and Britney Spears showing her, um, assets.
"We've had trouble with a lot of bloggers," X17 co-owner Brandy Navarre told the Los Angeles Times for a story on its Web site. "But he's the biggest, and the most arrogant and pigheaded about it, frankly.
"He is stealing our images and costing us money every day," she said.
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, said he believes he has done nothing illegal.
"I am going to vigorously defend myself," he said. "I am willing to step up to the plate and fight for my rights and fight for the rights of all bloggers."
His attorney, Bryan Freedman, said Hilton has a legal right to make satirical or humorous use of newsworthy photographs.
Gibb buys Cash's house,will do country record
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- If former Bee Gee Barry Gibb was looking for some inspiration for the country album he plans to record here, he couldn't have picked a more hallowed piece of ground to put down stakes.
Gibb bought and is restoring the lakefront house belonging to the late Johnny and June Carter Cash.
"It's going to be nice," Gibb said Wednesday during a reception in his honor by the performance rights organization BMI. "We'd like to use it as our second home. I would like to come here and write songs. I am planning on making a country album. That is really who I am."
Gibb, known for Bee Gees disco hits including "Staying Alive," said he and his two sons have about three completed songs and several others in the works.
"I am a country artist, always have been a country artist, and this is my chance to get some self-expression out because the group is no longer the group," he said. The Bee Gees disbanded after the 2003 death of his brother, Maurice.
And if Cash's old property doesn't stir his creativity, maybe Roy Orbison's will. Orbison, who died in 1988, lived right next door.
Adams: Rather than wait,I decided to try directing
LITTLE ROCK -- Joey Lauren Adams says she got tired of waiting for the phone to ring with acting job offers, so she decided to go behind the camera for her directorial debut "Come Early Morning."
"I spent 19 years in Los Angeles and 16 of those acting, and for 16 years I've been sort of at the mercy of Hollywood," said Adams, who has appeared in films including "Chasing Amy" and "Big Daddy."
"You're waiting for them to call and I needed to feel a little more proactive with my life," she said.
Though it took about seven years to go from script to screen, Adams said she was excited to have a hometown audience see her film, starring Ashley Judd, at its Arkansas premiere last week.
Today's birthdays
Television writer-producer Hal Kanter is 88. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark is 79. Actor Roger Smith is 74. Blues musician Lonnie Brooks is 73. Rock singer-musician Keith Richards is 63. Writer-director Alan Rudolph is 63. Movie producer-director Steven Spielberg is 60. Blues artist Ron Piazza is 59. Movie director Gillian Armstrong is 56. Movie reviewer Leonard Maltin is 56. Rock musician Elliot Easton is 53. Actor Ray Liotta is 51. Actor Brad Pitt is 43. Country singer Tracy Byrd is 40. Actress Rachel Griffiths is 38. Singer Alejandro Sanz is 38. Country/rap singer Cowboy Troy is 36. Rapper DMX is 36. Tennis player Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is 35. DJ Lethal (Limp Bizkit) is 34. Actress Katie Holmes is 28. Singer Christina Aguilera is 26. Christian rock musician Dave Luetkenhoelter (Kutless) is 24.