Pele, the Brazilian footballer and renowned star of this popular sport, has filed a lawsuit against the South Korean company Samsung, claiming that his fame has been exploited without permission. Pele is seeking at least $30 million in damages for the use of an image of an individual who allegedly 'looks very much like him' in a Samsung advertisement. The issue dates back three years, during which the parties have been unable to reach an agreement to resolve the matter. The advertisement by Samsung Technologies was created for a 'high definition' (UHDTV) television and features 'a black man who closely resembles Pele.' According to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Chicago, this advertisement was displayed on the New York Times website without the Brazilian footballer's permission; it includes a portrait-sized image of a person resembling Pele and a depiction of a football player performing Pele's famous 'bicycle kick.' Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele, 75 years old) began negotiations with Samsung in 2013, which apparently yielded no results, and the Korean company abandoned the discussions. According to Reuters, the famous footballer's lawyer stated that the aim of this lawsuit is to reach a fair (financial) settlement and to prevent the future exploitation of Mr. do Nascimento's fame. Samsung has yet to respond to the lawsuit. A similar complaint was made by basketball star Michael Jordan against a food company, which reportedly resulted in a nearly $9 million judgment against that company last summer.
Pele Files $30 Million Lawsuit Against Samsung
Brazilian football legend Pele has filed a $30 million lawsuit against Samsung for unauthorized use of an image resembling him in an advertisement. The lawsuit highlights ongoing disputes over celebrity likeness rights and the potential financial implications for companies that exploit such images without consent.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Pele has filed a $30 million lawsuit against Samsung for using an image resembling him in an advertisement without permission. The lawsuit stems from failed negotiations between Pele and Samsung over the past three years.
- The advertisement featured a black man resembling Pele and was displayed on the New York Times website.
- Pele's lawsuit aims to secure financial compensation and prevent future exploitation of his likeness.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The use of celebrity images in advertising without consent raises important legal and ethical questions about likeness rights and intellectual property. Similar cases have set precedents in the past.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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