Guglielmi v. Spelling-Goldberg Productions

603 P.2d 454, 25 Cal. 3d 860, 160 Cal. Rptr. 352, 5 Media L. Rep. (BNA) 2208, 205 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 1116, 1979 Cal. LEXIS 347

• Court: California Supreme Court
• Decided: December 5, 1979
• Docket: L.A. 30872
• Status: Published

Opinions

Opinion

THE COURT.

Appellant allegedly is the nephew of the actor Rudolph Valentino, who died in 1926. According to the complaint herein, in 1975, respondents exhibited on television a “fictionalized version” of Valentino’s life, depicting the actor’s name, likeness and personality without obtaining the prior consent of either Valentino or appellant. In the present action, appellant seeks damages and injunctive relief on the theory that respondents have misappropriated Valentino’s “right of publicity,” and that appellant as Valentino’s legal heir is the present owner of that right. Respondents’ demurrer to the complaint was sustained and, upon appellant’s refusal to amend, the complaint was ordered dismissed. This appeal followed.

In Lugosi v. Universal Pictures, ante, page 813 [160 Cal.Rptr. 323, 603 P.2d 425], we hold that the right of publicity protects against the unauthorized use of one’s name, likeness or personality, but that the right is not descendible and expires upon the death of the person so protected. Lugosi controls the disposition of the present case and makes it unnecessary to discuss any further issues raised by the parties.

The judgment is affirmed.