Lugosi v. Universal Pictures
Supreme Court of California
603 P.2d 425 (1979)
Relevant factsFree
The widow and son (Heirs) (plaintiffs) of actor Bela Lugosi, famous for playing Dracula, sued Universal Pictures Company, Inc. (Universal) (defendant) to recover profits from licensing Lugosi's likeness for merchandising, arguing his contract with Universal covered only motion-picture use and related advertising, not separate merchandising; the trial court agreed Universal had infringed Lugosi's right of publicity and ruled for the Heirs, and Universal appealed.
IssueFree
Whether the right to exploit an individual's likeness is a personal right that expires alongside the individual's death.