Ex-Valley reporter sues Hustler

YOUNGSTOWN — Former WKBN-TV 27 reporter Catherine Bosley and her husband have filed a lawsuit in federal court against Hustler magazine for publishing a photo taken of her at a wet T-shirt contest.

Bosley, who now works at a Cleveland TV station, sued the magazine and its parent, LFP Inc., both of Beverly Hills, Calif.

The lawsuit, which alleges copyright infringement, was filed Feb. 27 in Cleveland federal court.

The lawsuit states that Bosley, aka Balsley, participated in the wet T-shirt contest in Florida in March 2003 and, without her knowledge, was photographed. She subsequently won a lawsuit that gave her ownership of the copyrighted works, including still photos and video.

Bosley, in her new lawsuit, said Hustler, without her permission, used a copyrighted photo in the magazine’s February 2006 issue.

“Defendants have usurped the purpose of plaintiffs’ battle to obtain the copyrights in the first place — to control and prohibit its use, distribution and publication,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also alleges contributory infringement by asking readers of Hustler to nominate “local news babes” in their “Hot News Babes” promotion and include photos when possible.

Bosley seeks punitive and compensatory damages and attorney fees. The case is assigned to Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. No hearing date has yet been set.

The lawsuit states that she resides in both Mahoning and Cuyahoga counties and her husband resides in Mahoning County.