Popsquire

Britney Spears’ new single, Womanizer, doesn’t name any names, so it’s time to examine circumstantial evidence…

Adnan Ghalib, Britney’s ex, confirms that he has a two-hour X-rated video featuring Britney naked and wearing only a pink wig during a January trip to Mexico. He also says he will sell the sex tape featuring himself and the pop princess if the price is right.

Popsquire’s perspective…

To the extent the sex tape actually exists, Britney can prevent its release by seeking a court injunction.  If she didn’t consent either to the filming or to its distribution, then Adnan likely does not have the rights to distribute the tape.  In addition, given Britney’s potential state of mind at the time (remember the 5150 holds?), Adnan may have a hard time proving she provided consent!

UPDATE, Oct. 1: Adnan tells Star Magazine that there is no sex tape.

Technorati Tags: adnan ghalib, britney pink wig, britney spears sex tape, paparazzi, pop culture law

A federal court judge in Los Angeles is allowing TMZ to re-post snippets of Mini Me’s sex tape, after the court previously ordered the footage to be taken down.

This decision comes after the woman in the sex tape told the court: (1) the video was created with her camera; and (2) she gave TMZ permission to broadcast snippets of the tape.

The judge still barred TMZ’s co-defendant, Kevin Blatt, who previously distributed “One Night in Paris,” from distributing or taking orders for the 50-minute sex tape.

Technorati Tags: copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, kevin blatt, lawsuit, mini me, one night in paris, sex tape, verne troyer

Verne Troyer (aka “Mini-Me”) is suing TMZ for $20 million, alleging: (1) copyright infringement; (2) violation of privacy; (3) trademark infringement; (4) violation of right to publicity; and (5) misappropriation of name and likeness.

In short, Verne claims that TMZ violated his rights by publishing and airing portions of his sex tape.  Verne claims the tape was stolen and ended up in the hands of Kevin Blatt, who previously distributed “One Night in Paris” and now is a co-defendant alongside TMZ.  Click here to read the complaint.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Although sex tapes pop up frequently in Hollywood and don’t result in litigation, a stolen sex tape can present serious legal problems.  If the tape is not yours, then it may be stolen.  If it is stolen, then you don’t own the copyright and cannot expect to publish it without possible ramifications.

However, if you publish a newsworthy snippet, as did TMZ, then the “fair use” doctrine may provide a decent defense to some of the claims.

Although Popsquire is siding with TMZ on this one, you won’t find a link to the sex tape on this blog.  It’s just not Popsquire’s thing!  Is it yours?

Technorati Tags: celebrity, copyright, fair use, mini me, sex tape, tmz, verne troyer