The Hangover: Part II will be released this week, despite an attempt by Mike Tyson's tattoo artist S. Victor Whitmill to stop it over a copyright claim. He says that the face tattoo worn by Ed Helms and inspired by the boxer in the film breach copyright.
Whitmill claims that the design was his and shouldn't have been used. After the ruling in their favour, Warner Bros. made this statement:
"We are very gratified by the Court's decision which will allow the highly anticipated film, The Hangover 2, to be released on schedule this week around the world.
"Plaintiff’s failed attempt to enjoin H2 in order to try and extract a massive settlement payment from Warner Bros. was highly inappropriate and unwarranted."
They used 'fair use' to fight the lawsuit, The Daily Mail reports, saying that "the film's use of the tattoo falls under 'fair use' because it parodies a very well known piece of our culture."
Mike Tyson appears with the tattoo in both movies, and the original is inspired by Maori face tattoos so.... this was really just a waste of time and money, no?
