The tattoo artist who “blessed” boxing great Mike Tyson with his distinctive facial tattoo has sued Warner Bros. over the similar-looking facial art on Ed Helms‘ character in the upcoming flick The Hangover: Part II.
S. Victor Whitmill, an award-winning tattoo artist who calls his Tyson design “one of the most distinctive tattoos in the nation,” is seeking an injunction to stop the release of the highly-anticipated comedy sequel, set to hit theaters during 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
. “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 Bros has yet to comment on the suit.
Forreal though? We’re suing over tattoos now? SMH – – only in America.
