Uh Oh! Looks like Mike Tyson’s tattoo artist (S. Victor Whitmill) that gave him his infamous tribal face tattoo is suing Warner Bros. for their depiction of the tattoo on actor Ed Helm’s face. According to THR:
The man who gave Mike Tyson his distinctive facial tattoo has sued Warner Bros. over the similar-looking facial art on Ed Helms’ character in the upcoming The Hangover: Part II.
S. Victor Whitmill, an award-winning tattoo artist who calls the Tyson design “one of the most distinctive tattoos in the nation,” is asking for an injunction to stop the release of the highly-anticipated comedy sequel, set to bow in the U.S. over Memorial Day weekend.
“When Mr. Whitmill created the Original Tattoo, Mr Tyson agreed that Mr. Whitmill would own the artwork and thus, the copyright in the Original Tattoo,” argues the complaint, filed Thursday in federal court in Missouri and obtained by THR. “Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.—without attempting to contact Mr. Whitmill, obtain his permission, or credit his creation—has copied Mr. Whitmill’s Original Tattoo and placed it on the face of another actor…This unauthorized exploitation of the Original Tattoo constitutes copyright infringement.”
Warners declined to comment on the suit.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
lol wait now he owns the art that he put on Tyson’s face, i cry bullshit.
He just mad this is going to make his tattoo look foolish
He designed it. Did you not read?
He should be able to copyright his designs and if the US Copyright office accepted it then it will be an infringement on his copyright.
I don’t believe it will stop the film from coming out in less than 4 weeks but he will receive money for damages if the above statement is true.
I think it’s rediculous. I don’t believe he’s the first or only person with the tattoo. If this guy is gonna sue Warner Bro. Is he gonna sue everyone else. Does it count if the tattoo is not real and only for the movie.
he waits till now to say something i mean i have been seeing this up for how long only thing Warner Bros give him credit and some money and he is going to go away
what the fuck. this is ridiculous.