Celebrity Justice
Perez Hilton Sued For $7.5 Million

Perez HiltonA Hollywood photo agency is suing snarky gossip blogger Perez Hilton aka Mario Lavandeira, for copyright infringement. The agency claims Perez used their images on his website "without permission from the agency, thereby violating federal law."

The tabloid agency is seeking over $7.5 million dollars in damages from Perez for what they say is a loss of profits and injury to their reputation. The photo agency believes their pics have played a large part in the success and profitability of perezhilton.com, which reportedly charges between $9,000 and $16,000 a week for ad space. It costs plenty to appear next to Britney's crotch!

Perez tells TMZ, "I have yet to be personally served with this lawsuit. My lawyers and I will address the situation when we have the opportunity to review the materials."

The self-proclaimed "Gossip Gangsta," who calls a local L.A. coffee shop his "office," is currently scheduled to appear on the upcoming "Big in '06 Awards" on VH1, and on MTV's New Year's Eve special.

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Filed under: Celebrity Justice, The Biz

Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 7) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. TMZ really has it out for Perez....could it possibly be you
guys
suing.. and what's wrong with being smart enough to run a business
from anywhere! VIVA Small Business!Just get along girlies...you're
collegues whether you like it or not! You guys are cool, but he's just fun...

Posted at 7:43PM on Nov 30th 2006 by chilica

2. It was bound to happen. Had a feeling it would. The site is currently offline. He must be scared. There's no way he will win or be able to pay that amount. Oh well!

Posted at 7:46PM on Nov 30th 2006 by Anthony

3. Um his site is not offline. and really who f*cking cares if he used someone elses pics he says where he gets them

Posted at 7:50PM on Nov 30th 2006 by Kaioc

4. I agree - it was bound to happen. When you make a living off of stealing other people's stuff, it's going to get you in the end. You ever notice how he never sources his stuff?

Posted at 7:52PM on Nov 30th 2006 by SnarkyGossip.com

5. I love Perezito!!

Posted at 7:57PM on Nov 30th 2006 by adri

6. hell yeah it was bound to happen!!! karma is a bitch...anyone buying ad space from him is gonna get a swift kick in the ass too...it appears that multiple agencies are banding together to bring lardo down (tmz doesn't appear to be one of them)...good for you fagez!!!!!

Posted at 8:05PM on Nov 30th 2006 by Big Al

7. tell the bitches to "BRING THAT SH*T ON!!!!" f*** them PEREZ!! you rock & roll & they cant stop you!!!

Posted at 8:07PM on Nov 30th 2006 by nikki 5000

8. Perez showing off this lawsuit as if he won the Oscars just shows how arrogant he is. I hope that this lawsuit will make him more modest and make him realize that he is not indeed the center of the universe.

He should not be proud of this lawsuit - it is shameful that he sees this as an award he will frame.

I lost a lot of respect for him that he is showing so much arrogance.

Posted at 8:10PM on Nov 30th 2006 by John

9. Perez is unethical and all he does is plagarize.

THe only people who like him are the ones who are unfamiliar with just how unethical he is.

Hopefully this lawsuit will open their eyes.

FRY THAT FAT PIG!

Posted at 8:10PM on Nov 30th 2006 by Lou

10. Perez provides everyone with a little guilty pleasure. He is good at what he does, and very successful, and therefore is bound to have a lot of people against him.

i dont think that any of the images on the site are the sole reason for people visiting, as the lawsuit claims. Perez's commentary is what makes the site, and his "predictions" that are always on the money. Who really cares what pics accompany the stories...

Go perez!!

Posted at 8:17PM on Nov 30th 2006 by kat

11. This is ridicules… What the hell does that even mean?!

Posted at 8:22PM on Nov 30th 2006 by EGB1821

12. Throw a dress on him and ship him up to San Quentin for 30 days. Money isnt an issue for this pansy. He deserves no pity. I would spit in his face if I saw him in a club. Punk ass freak.

Posted at 8:24PM on Nov 30th 2006 by S.Gotti

13. I love Perez! I am so addicted to his celebrity gossip!

Posted at 8:31PM on Nov 30th 2006 by Sarah

14. YouTube was bought for $1.65 billion and uses mostly copryighted videos so you go Perez!!!

Posted at 8:34PM on Nov 30th 2006 by Joe

15. Dear Perez:

This lawsuit against you is absurd! I don't understand why you weren't just alerted, followed by a cease and desist letter. You made a simple mistake by posting a copyrighted photo; it was not malicious. I'm behind you all the way, my friend!

Gee Whiz!

Posted at 8:41PM on Nov 30th 2006 by Sharon

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