Award is Mentioned in Recent California Lawyer Article.
As reported by Matthew Heller in an article in the October 2010 edition of the California Lawyer, iconic test pilot Chuck Yeager has brought some right of publicity lawsuits, obtaining mixed results. However, Mr. Heller notes that retired Air Force Major General Yeager lost a suit against some memorabilia collectors, now owing them attorney's fees of $275,596 as a result of the loss. The judgment creditors apparently have filed a notice of lien in another case he has against AT&T which is steaming towards a projected trial later this year.
The reason for the award, we surmise, is because California's right-of-publicity statute has a fee-shifting provision that mandates an award of fees to the prevailing party. (Civ. Code, § 3344(a).)
Mr. Heller's article is aptly titled, "The Rights Stuff."
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