• 08/U/2DOG it: 24 fAX

From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLPJun-22-06 11 :03am

•+2136336899

L.A.Sl~lOR COl~TWEST

•T-119 P,002/015 F-838

.' liIlon

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1 JOHN B. LAVELY. JR. (BAR NO. S3954)YAEL E. HOLTKAMP (BAR NO. 200399)

2 LAVELY&: SINGERPROfESSIONAL CORPORATION

3 2049 CentuJY Park Eastt Suite 2400Los Angeles. Callfon11a 90067-2906

4 (310)'S6-~SOl (TdCllbanc)(310) 5'6-3615 (Facsunile)

AnorueYs for Plaintiff ' .6 LAURA JEAN REESE WITHERSpOON

FILED'LOS ANOELBS BURRIOR COURT

JUN B 1'2006'JOHN A. CUPlKE,;..Cl.SRIC

ElV~~'~~~lm '

11 LAURA JEAN REESE WITHERSPOON! CASE NO.professionall~ known as REESE

12 WlTHERSPOON. an itldividllaI, ..•••.• COMPLAINT FOR~~.•.~ 13 PJaiDtiff. )~. ~ v. I 1. VJOLATJONOltCOMMONLAW~ ~ 14 . RlGHT OF PUBLlttrY;

(C; 1S AMJ:1UCAN MEDIA, mc;, a Delaware) 2. lNVAsION OF PRlV ACYcOJP0'E"8tiOJl; STAR EDITORIAL. INC., a ) (Ii'ALSE LIGSn

16 Delaware coJpoJ'liItion; MAGGIE ) ~' j~HARBOUR. aD indMduaJ, SUZY , ) '"

17 MCCOPPIN, im individual; aDd DOES 1 )through SO, iDclusiye, )

18 ) JURY TRIAL DB XI.) .DefendantS ) INITIALCASE MANAGEMENT REVIEW

. ) AND CONFERENCE OCT 2 3 2006RI~~RDNI:IDORP. ,..c.:~.Jlf:~,_ ..~, , . ','

Plaintiff LAURA JEAN RE~SE WlTHERSPOON profellsionally knDwn IS REESE

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SUPERlOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CAUFORNJA

FOR THE COVNTY OP LOS ANGELES •.WEST DISTlUCT

SC0901a2'

2Z WITHERSPOON ("Plaintiff" or "Ms. Wnherspoon") allegcs uS follows:

ALLEGATIONS ,COMMQN TO AI I. CAUSES OF AcrJON

The J"'labJ,re of This Ac:tian

25 ]. Tbi.5 action arises flom a supennarkellabloid'5 maUciou$ pu.bliCUion of a phony

26 cov~ .stDry(me "Cover Story") falsely portraying popular actress Reese Witbef$p00D as being

27 pregnant, and publishing tbis fictional scenario for the sole pUlpO&e of commercially exploiuDg

28 her Dame BDd wcUuknOWD pcrsona, without her consenlJ i!l a callous cffon to boost the

I COMPl.AlN'r

'08/21/Z008 1~:24FAX

From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLPJun-22-06 11 :03am

•+2136336899

"L.A.$VPERIOR COURT WEST" .

T-119 P.003/015 F-838IlJ 00 :l

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~lo)d's saggmS sales. In pW'SUing this calculaled scbeme Sffit' Mn.gazi'Ge and me o1ber. ' .

Dcfendama wrongfully violated Ms. WitberspooJi'$ rights and, Plalnliffbelieves,. bave cal1Kd

ber to suft'el" signifiClDl ~ge aDO disb'Clia.

The PartJlI To This Dispute

2.· Plaintiff LAURA JEAN REESE WITHERSPOON professionally known IS

REESE \YITHERSPOON ("PJaiDt.iff" or "Ms. Withcn>poou") is, and at aD limes relevant

hetl!lO has b~ a'citizen oft.he Stale ofQHfomia, and '3n Academy Awatd-winnin& actress, ,

wbo has statfed in and received critical aec:laim for b~ performan(:eS in monoD pidllres that

bave bt.1m yj~cd b)" millions of people throughout Ihe United States UJc1 the world. iDdudiDg

among others, Walk the IineJ VaniZ)' Fair, Legally Blonde, Legally Blonde 2:.Red, l'hrir. &:

Blf11Ule. sWut Homs AhUrtuna. Crutllntenrfom aucJP~easQnntfrtl. Asa result ofber hard

work and ae of her talcJrt!J in the field of e.ntertaimneDl, Witherspoon IS n&IDC. pbatOsraph aud

likeness arc widely rccQgnized by the public :and are invested with. substantial goodwill iD the

8)'c5.of tbe pvblic and ba\'e S'\1b.r.antial commercial value. WitberspooD cx.er~ ClU'eful

oonsiClerr.tionpIiot 10 permitting any commerc~l uses of ber name, photograph •.imatc and

lite:aCSll for any pUlpDSe.

3. Plaintiff IS iDformcd aDd believes ISld thereon alleges Chat DdcDdUd AmeIicauMedia, Jnc. (MAMJ") is, IUId ar alilUnes relevant her~o we.s, 8 corporation duly orpnized

llIIder me laWl of Delaware, doing business in Ihc CQUDty of Los Angeles, Stale of California,

~. thtouJbout thc: WQfld lIS I publis~e~ "~d djtl~em~tor. of mullip~~ wc:~l?YS~~ket

tabloid magmnes, mcluding among otb"', the weekly supermarket u.bloid magWDc Star

Mag~ine ("Star"), II wc:llas NaUonal Enquirer and the Globe. PlaiDtiff alleges on the basis of

iDfoJ1Dation ..,.d belief thai these tabloids, and StItT in panicular. have a wItte circulatiou and arc

read and se~nby a gTCat D\lmbcr of people in Ole geogrllphic aT~S in which the tabloids arl.')

pubJ'ish~, circulated and sold including, but DOl limited to, the County of Los Anseles, SUlIe of

ClIlifonda. Il1rOU&bOlltthe United Slates BDd the world, inclUding through the Website. Plaintiff

funbcr Blleges on the basis of infoJT1lation and belief mat in additio1110 1ts prim edition, SlOT is

abo dissemillatcd tMougIJour the world via an internet websilc, makiDg the: tabloid, and il$

2 COMPL.4.]N'"1

Jun-22-06 11:04am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

O./21i2006 1~:Z4FAX •+2136336899

L.A. SllPERIOR COllRT WES'I••T-119 P.004/015 F-838

Qloot

1 covers and beadlines i" particular. accesn'ble to people world-~. For thi:l1'CIIOD, unons

2 otb= - iKlcding rbat DefC12donts $ell a 5ub&~tiel number of copiea of Starm'CaiIfo~t

S solicillii subswmal California subJcrjbcrs and readers wougb its Web5ite _ dlAanmaa..

4 stories to Sprmt ceUUI1JtelephODe customers \broughout CaUfomia - PJaiDtIff •• iDformccllDd

S beliet1el Jd1d tbcrcoD aJ)es~ that AMI bas Ihereby purposefuny avaUed it$elf of tile benefdS 8IlCl

, pret=ClIUl of me laws of 'lhe State of CalifomiL Plaintiff further alleges on tbe -. of

7 info~gD and belief that the Star mamtains editorial, writing aad bu:siucss ofAca in

8 California. Plaintiff is iDfonned a.Dd believes ll1ld thereon alleges that AMI and Star Editorial.

9 Inc. bllVed1creby purposefuUy llwiled themselves of Ibe benefits nnd protections of the laws of

10 \be Stateof CaUromia.

11 4. Plaint.ifl is informed and believes and thereon alleges tbat DefendaDt Star

U Editorial,~. is. and at all times relevant hereto 'WllS, a corporation duly OtI8D1zed UDder, die

13 laws of ])tlawarc, doing businesB in the Counl)' of Los Angeles, Swc of California, atId

14 Ibrougbout the world and is invoNed in the publication of ~ ~Ol' wlrlcb Is ~,

15 circulated aDd lo)d W'oulboUt the world including, but DOt limited to, in the County of Los

16 Angeles, Swe or California, and Ihrougbout the United Slale5 anti me 'WOrld., im:luding \'brough

17 its websdC ~.s1JmQ9gazinc.~~ (the "Wcbsitc:b) md via Sprint wireI.cu cellular

]8 CODm1wie:atioDs.

19 S. Plaintiff is infonned flDd b~ieves and based tbel'eOD slleges that DefCDd8lll

20 MAGOlE HARBOUR ("Harbout-) ..i5.• and."!1"-".l ri(n.C;S relc:vant bereto bas bccD. an individUal••• I •__ ~ •• -_._~ ••• __ ••••••

21 8Ild ODeof tbe autllors of the cover story pUblished in the JUDe 26 •.2006 hlsue Or SlOT giv1Dg .

2Z rise to thil aC1ion.

23 6. Plaintiff is infonned aDd believes and based thereon alleges that Defeooant

.14 SUZY MCCOPPIN (ClMcCoppin") is, and at nJ) limes relevant hereto has been, an individual

25 and o.ne.of tbl: authors of the C()'YCf storY publisbed in tbt: June 26. 2006 is:;uc of Star gmng

26 rise to this Bction.

27 7. Plaintiff is jgoorant of tbe true names and capacjlie~of Defendants sued hereiD as

28 Do~] through SO, inclusivr::. and therefore sues said De:feDdants by su.ch fictitious.names.

3

Jun-22-06 11:04am F DAVIS WRIGHT TRErom- MAINE LLP +2136336899'06/21/100e 13:2. FAX L.A.$UrERIOR COURt WEST

T-119 P.005/015 F-838lift005

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Plabattff wiD amend d1b Complaint to allege the true names llnd capaci1ieS of such fictitiously

named Ddcn~ w. the same bave. been ascenaincd. Said Doe Defend1lUt1J iuc1ucleDoe 1

refeald 10herein' as "Doc EdilOl, It who Plaintiff is informed and believes .and bued therec.

alleges wume editor of the COVet Suny aDd who was involved with aud participated in tbe

\Vfongfbl pubUcatioll of the CoYef Story. Plaintiff ii infonned and beUcves md blsed lhereoD ,... '

lillcgea- ~~. ~ of tbe fictiliously nllUlc:d Pefeadams is l"C$pomible in some Ql8JlDeI for the- .

OCCUlJ'eDCC=;. acts ancJ ominiODs alleged herem and lhat Plaintitrs damages were proximatdy

caused by their condu~. For c:onveniencc, ea~b rcfer.cncc to a muncd defmdaJil herein sb.n

Icf'er to t.hc Doe ~D4aDts and each of tbcm.

8. For coDvcuienu. Slat Editorial, IDe., AMJ. HarbOur, McCoppin atId the Doe

Dcfcuda;pq who parQdpated in or aided Of abened me:.wntiog and pubHshiq of the Covet

Story shall sometimes be referred to COllectively herein as the "Tabloid Defcudaaa". AIGOfor

OOnvaUence, me. Tabloid Defendants BJld the other Doe Defcndauq shall somethnes be referred.

to coUeaivdy htlebJ 18 DcfendlDQ.

9." .Plaintiff is informed and believes and based tbereoo 811~gmttbat at all material

timc6 Defendants, aDd each of them, were the ageut', employees, patmers, jow venturers, co-

conspira1or&, owners," principals, ind cmpJoyeo Of the remaining DcfendaD1S, D.Ddcacb of

thein, and ar~, aDdat aU tUnes herein mcnUoDcd were, string wirhi:D tile course and scope of

WI Bgem;y, employment. parmen;hip, conspiracy. ownership aDdfDr jcm.t vent\lrC. Plaimiff is

further iafoaneG·.and believes and based tbercon .alleles that 1he aClS aDd. conduct allC;gcd.hcqrm

.ere known to, and authorized and/or ratified by. the officers, directors, md managing ageDu

of DcfelJdmt c01pOrauons or business entiuC$, and each of them.

1he Bop Cover Story

]0. The Tabloid DefendantS published and disseminated II cover story which

appeared in the June 26, 2006 print edition of Star, a1uJ the: cover of wbitb appeared OD Star's

Website. wbere it could be seen all over tht world (herein -the Cover Story"), drawing

ancodon to the cover wi1h a bold, mammoth·siud headline adjace"t (0 a 1\111pare-dud photo

of Plaintiff a)ong5jde.- fellow actress Julia Robcr1s, eXClaiming nR~se & Julia - BABY #

4 COMPLAOO

L.A.SUPERloa COllRT WEST

Jun-22-06 11:05am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

• Q812l/n08 U: Z4 FA!

•+2136336899

•T-119 P.006/015 F-838

.' liDo,.

1 3I" The cover headline goes OD to urge rC8d~rs to find H ALL THE HAPPY DETA.II.S" o~2 PlaiIrtitrs (ape! Julia Roberts') supposed prea11ancy wid!. tlBABY 113" inside tb8 ialJlokL3 1] . Inside the tabloid. eight pag~ into the publkatiou, the Table of ~ ec:boca

4 its eDdcemCDt to readen to Nm to page 5610 read 'dR:!itmy 4'GoIDg For Baby Nt.31 .' .

S JJoUywood mDmJ Julia RoberU end Reese WltbtnpooD hoVe c..oomuc:h loft m.lIo, It

HoUywood moms Julia RGbert& and

Reese Wltbenpoon hllve li)O much

love to stop at two! IJ

14 13. TIle COy" S1oJ)' which proceeds at page 57 tb~ includes variOUI,sfateme:otl.

]S commentS ml q~stioDS about Plaimiff', aU of whicb are intended to lead tbc reader to aceepI,16 and any n:3S0Dablcreader would ac~pt. the false depiction Qf Plaintiff u be~1 prepaut.·

17 iDcludma, will1011' limitation. 1he fonowing:

ci two!"

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Inside Slar ~at pagC6 56-57, the anicle rqx:am m super-8ize:d promiD:udy-calorcd

""Going lor Baby

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"Is R~e WllherspooD e:xpec:tiagbl:l' tbird child? It looked that 1InI1tD a

Star source who s}JOttod the W"lk the Line st8I' on the beach lulate May.

'Sbe ~a!f ~rlng w~at Iq9l\:,ttd l1IJ;e.8DO~d:-ra5hiyued l~~n~~~ ._n!bat covc..-ed her tuzumy,' tb, sourc~ sa1s. ~Rpt )'011 coold slm seelhe

outlfbe of wbal appeared to be al JeaSl a fDUT-moutb baby bump."

"BABY ~OUTIQUE TR.Ir

The eyewitum 11150 15polted Reese, 30, at the Bahystyle bcnnSqUe IDSa.

MoDiea, Caur., earl, tbJs U1oD'b. 'Sbe left carryliDg a bae from t~e StOre.

t.b1!50l1rce spYS.' Of course, thai could bave bCClll1iometbinl tor hem,

ber 2..year-ald I5OD, bUl, 5aYfi the source, 'l've seco Reese outad about OD

at least three Rparale oceaslons [his paSt month, aDd she's always weariD.:

5 COMPL..UNT

Jun-ZZ-06 11:05am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

" •+Z136336899

~.A.SVPEkl~ COURT WEST,', T-119 P,007/015 F-838. QJilOT

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Empir.waist dresses 01'"bauy elothiDg. Jbaveatt SeeD her in au}1bhll

tlpt...fJt6:Dg ill a long tUDe."

• "Sbe'WIII even seen IS recentb as JUDe 7 end shoppiDI:1 looldag Uke she Wu,'spol"tiq a baby b11lPplft

14. Moreover, even Ibougb tbI: Cover Story ~18ims tbat Plamtiff' "Is not sa)inc. '

~I fUbIit:ly about whether sbe'li hi &heJ'BmDy way," aDd that "Reue'. reps deDJ.. '

she's prep..," the CoVI:I SIOty purpons to 1:xpJ.aiDthis away with _ claim: "She'5 a wry

private PU'$OJI, and doesn't often talk alKNt It whela su's pre8JUQIt., S1ar'. tD1II'ee points

out,' ad'ding 'BaSdes, she bas two movJl$ comiul u~ and sbej1ilSt,doesn'l1V8D1 to buak

the aeM to prodaeers jll5l )let. "

15.' ID ordU' ~ furthc:rbolsrer iu pbo~ c:lai1:Dthlt Plaimiff is pregnaut with bel' third

child. die Cover Story also features another large siud photo of PJalnrlfr with her stomach area

circlecJ with the auperimpolled quelidon uBaby 00 BoanlT" aJOJ1g ,~th the foDowiDa c::aptiOD

"R~ weDt daoppme in Beverly Hilb; OD JUDe 7 We2Il"lnI yet a'lltOther loose-Otting

Eu:apir.~ dress. Bmntlll •••", falsely SladDgltDd impl)'iDg to readen mal PJaindffmuat be, "

weariDg "yet anotber loose-fining Empire-wai$t dren" becau6£ she must be pregDlDL

16. CoDtrSty CO the fabJicratcd Cover Ston'. the U'Ut fBcts arc tblt Plaintiff is DOl

prc~l, does not b,ave a Ilbilby bump" aDd ha$ DOl omeJ'\\lise: gained weight sueb that she has

bad 10 rc:son to weariag "Empife...waj,t dresscs·, IIIbaggy clothing" or all "old-fasbiooed 1920£

,~1c_ ~addnB :~j'~',n.~O! ~as oS,bebeen S~D~p~gf~!~ab7.:!.!:lateditems for ~~rs.'?!t!l~~~tt'" ~ __..'bOiniquc:: or any othc:r baby stores. And since she is nOt CW'JeDtly p1cpant witb h= third child,

me despicable claim thai "'she bas ,wo movies coming up and sbe just doesn't waul to break the

news to producers just yetb is equaJly faJse. This statemen1 is defamatorY or Jllace& PIaimiff iD

B false light and is \rery damagiDg to bet becau" il claims that she bas withhtld and cOQcealod

from producers of her IWOupc:oming films, iDfonnatJoD tbat would be of vital imponancc aDd

irdercsi 10 the producers since ber being pre8nMt bean; direccJy aD what bcr physical t.OnditioD

8IlCI appearance will be during lbe remainder of me year and would affecr her abitity to perform

CVCl)'tJUDg required of her in cODDecuop with the upcoming films. lr is also foreseeable that

6 COMPLAINT

Jun-ZZ-06 11 :05am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

·08/21/200e 13~2$ FAX •+Z136336899

L.A.SlJrERIOR COURT WEST••T-119 P.008/015 F-838

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other ,proCSUoctS, dirccton aM others who might bave been considc:riD; l-laindtf fOr po:IllbJc

ftJm roles woUld Tefrain from offeriug 1bosefdm roles to her t:JIOPcously belicYiDc IbM ~ .

is preenw and would no, have been able to perform the fIhn Toles.,17. Tbe coyer headline.wi1h its eaticinl promise [0 revEal "ALL TBB ~y

DETAILS- wide, undoubtedly lured 'Po\1:Dtiaipurchascr5 to buy Star so 1ba1..,·CO\Ild)nm...

tile (fabricaasd> details about Plaintiff's ·allegedpregnaocy ·with -BABY' 3!" PJaiDdff aDeps"

m&fnfo~don and belief that the Tabloid DcfeDdanIB u~cd tl:u~fabricated hadlb'l1oag withPlaintiffs promiDcm1 photograph. promising the reader all the juic.'Yllhappy. detaiJI iDsilla, ill

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order to maximize me Ukclibood tbat potential purCbSliefS would be induced to bUJ Ole 1abloid

in order to read me story Inside, thus commercially exploiting P1l11iX1tiff's ~, pho1oaraph BJKl, .

persona. and also depjclml Plaintiff ill a false and outtaacous Usht. for tile Tabloid DefeDdan1s'

pcewUuy gaiD..' .

18. Moreover. whcn readers clicked pn c:i1.bU of twO pictllrcs of tbe covet of Sku- .. ' "

wbb:h we.re fcatutccl on tbe: WCbsit" the readers were immediately tramferred ~ the

"SUbBCTipti~CenlCt" page.oflhe Websjte wwc they WCfI: mgcd to "Subsm"be to Star

M.;aziDe for only SOe pe•..mue aDd SA.VE 86'11oil the cover !PJice." ~ n:aders arc

CBSily able '0 subscribe to' the: tabloid by simply entering their name aDd address inf'omunion

along widl a credit card (Jt even by cboo$ing a uBm Me Latel"" optiOD.

19. The Cover Story, includingthe headll.i1es jdenlified abovc. also PonraYa Plaintiff

in ~.~BC an~ ~~DSjYelight in violation. of be- ript of prl:,a~, s~cc s~,~.~ .~.~~~~. 8!d_ .. '

therefore does not appear to ha\'c lIat least a four.mornh baby bump" such tbat shI ~ust wear .

"Empire waist drcssC3". "baggy clothmg" or an "old fashioned bathing snit" to ·covet her

twJ1JDy. -

20. Thc Cover Story also ponra)'6 Plaintiff in a false lnd offensive UglR iDviolatioD

of bet right of Pf~vacy by depietinS ber (ficticmal) prcgDancy aa purportedly interl'eriDg with Ole

twOmovies she has coming up in connection witb whiCh sbe supposedly "docsn'1 w.un to break

the :news 10 produec:rs j\lst yet," all of whic::b would have the naanal ~ foreseeable effect of '

causing p:roducers, directors, movie studios. agedlS and others iD the cllleTLainmeat industry to

7 COMPLAINT

Jun-22-06 11 :06am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

01/2112008 13:25 f~ •+2136336899

1.. A • SUPERJ OR COURT lEST .., T-119 P.009/015 F-838Ii&I008

111¥ieve lb. she it nol avaiJable to take 011or co~ue with ai1yaCting roles, Which win most

.-. t llaiSURdly abr\lpCJ1 cool doWl Plaintiffs presently red-hot post· Oscar wiD career .

. : . 3 .. 21. NomtbstaDdint th8 fact that, prior to publication, the Tabloh1 Defendau~ bid. "" .... ~ .•:i;.,•.. " . '...

• '. ~. beeD.put ODIlOtice 1ha1the thelJ.p)aDD~ story was untrue, wouki CQ1Wltute an 1mi\Ithorized'. I • '.5. ~ minppropriatioD of PlaiDtitrs name and likme.ss. and would portray Plaintiff in a .

.' _.6. '.'~ JIIn".~nm:JpuI.light, the 1abloJd Ddcndams nevcrthelcss unabashedly proceeded to...1 plblisb the atDr1, 'as a cover :ltory DO lcss. DerendBDt8willfully, wi1hout justifici\tion, aDd.

8. wirholX"pdvlJep. published dll: Cover SlOry. caJcola~ to be rea() by numerous peopk,

9' mci!1diDg DOl only tabloid putcbase:rs, but to urllliops of people WllO SK aDdIot tead the &4,

10 covwat check-OUIstands aod newsstands natioJ1oowide, thtougb tbt:ir eeU\llar telephones, aDll

11' Who a~~Scd the StQr'~mtereJ Website all ()V~ the world.

12 22. Plaind" fI1rEher alleges on iDfoJ1Dltion 8Jld belief that thtt OWer S10zY \\'8&

13 crcaEod to commerciaJJy exploit Plilumfrs DaD1C,likeDess, pbOlO aDd ideDiity widJout her

14 con8em. for the pecuniuy benefit of the TablOid Defendams. J>laiutiff aDeacs on infonnmoJl ..

15 aDd bcl~ef.1hat tbi$ fabricated taU talc was brUCDly plIbJi.sbt:d Oil a prmniDent pel CODSpiCUOl.lIl...16 .cover ll10ry for me purpose of garnering the muhoum attention to the:' tabloid. wllicb hIlS

17 reponedly suffered saBBing salcs as of late, notwithstaDdiDg the Tabloid Defendants'

18 kDowJ~ge a.od inteJ]1jon that it portrayed PlaillfifJ in a false. outrageous IIDd barmfullilJbt.

19 23. Plaintiffs arc infonncd aDd believe 81)d based rbcrcttD alIeae thai the offic~,

20 .~.i~cto~ lI!~~!~~.!$inl. 8e,enls of the Defcndams autborlzed, direc:ted IDdlOI'mid the•• ~••.•••• , •••••• r •• __ ••• _._'"" • ",,_ •••••• _.M ••• _ •••••• , • .-., __ • .--- •••• OR. ··'M ••••••• _-_ •••• ~--.

21 wrongful aelS of {beDeftDdlllts aDd are consequently Siable to Plaintiff.

12 FIRSTC~USEOF ACTJO}li

Z3 (For COSJ1lDOD Law Misappropriatloll of

24 Wgllt o~PubJidt, AgaiQst Defendants) .25 24. PJaintiff repeats I fcaUeges and incorporates by refcrcru:e Paragrapb& J tluough

26 1J, incl\1sive, of tbis Complaint as if fuUy set forth hc;rein.

27 25. Plam1iff is II professional aeu-esll wbose name likcnE:flS and persona, through her

28 hII'd wort and use of her ,alents in the entertainment field, substamially iDcca5Cd in value and

J::"1'7"~~ fiUJfJ6;z1l(l11,wpcI. S COMPLAINT

,

Jun-22-06 11:06am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

•+2136336899

L. A. SUPER I OR COURT WEST••T-119 P.Ol0/015 F-838

" .• 010

1 are vested with subslBJldal good wiD in the eyes of the public:. ACCDfdingly,. tile. timI; of ••,

2 sak, distribution, publication ~ disseminaUoD of the conspicuous Cover Story ~3 PlaiDtiffs pbotolUph, name, and the statementS as alleged bercimlbove. PJaimijfIlld Yltuablc:..4 rights of pubUcity aDd property riabu wiWllubsl8lJtial conunercial v2lue. wbfch Ibe did not

5 agree to licensc or traD&fer, in wbo)c or to pu:t, to any of th" DcfcudaDls to cOmmercIal1y

•• exploil by meatS of selling. distribulmg, dissemiuatiQ8 or publisbing the cover Story aboUt ber.

7 26. Dcfendaats t unauthorized sale, distribution,' disscmioation uuI publicalion of the

8 Cover Story Containing PlaiDtift'15 n8mC, photographs and the Statements II_lied to above

9 COODlicih.11eS it "iolation and misappropriatiou of Plaintiff's dght of publidt)' t hi ~ I>ef'en&qa'

10 mUapproprial~ Plaintiff's name and photograph by usiDg bet goodwill and' widHprea4

11 recognmOll to draw auentioo to the tabloid ind 10promote its sale aOOto soHc:it ~ a'bIaiD.new

12 &ubsm"bets.

13 27. Said misappropri&tioD was for Defendants' IIcnanras:e, in mal PlalDdfr. mame: •.14 pbotograph and persona were expJoiied witb the iotention ofcrea1i1l& and ~

JS Dd'enduts' pecuniary eaha 8J)d profil resulting from the sale. distributioa. dissciDinalioo Of

11) publication of d)e Cover Story aDd the tabloid iu wbic::bthe Cover Story appc:arecl and from

17 solic:iling and obtainiDg new subscribcrs.

18 28. As a direct and proximateresult of the aforemeDtiOI~c:d acts by~, and.

l' au;.bof them, Plai.otiff bas suffe1ed dunases. including damaee to the value of'Plaindff. name,

20 Jikcncsll, pbolog~ll~ and goo~will, ~~ dan1agc ~o PlaiDtifrs rlO-putation all I fCsult oftbe.' •• ' •••• ;00 ••••••• ' ••••••• _ •••• t.·

21 manner or context in WhJch Pefendams bave commercially exploited ber Dame, phqtopapb aqd

12 llkc:DeS5. Plaintiff has also suffered emotional disueS$ as a resull (lof said Def~' wrongful

23 conduct as alleged in this cause of action. Tbe c:Ulodonal (Iistrcss f'.uffer~ by Plilinuff is the

24 normal type ofdislfCSS that wouJd be caused 1o a person ij$ a result. oftbc typc.ofconduct

2S alleged herem ana is not ongoing or sevCfe emotional disb'e5s.

26 29. As a direct and pro"imate result of the aforesaid wrongful 8Q.s of Defendams,

27 a.pd e.ch of tbem, Plaintiff hu bcen and wiD continue 10be damag,:d in d amOlUll that is DOl

28 ya fully ascertaiDiblc but wbith is in C:ICesS o( the p,risdic:doDallimits of dlis Com. When

.'

Jun-22-06 11:07am FrDm-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP• 08lU/I008 13-:II FAX

•+2136336899

J.. A.. Sl.1PER lOll COllJl:1 WEST

t·T-119 P.Ol1/015 F-838

III011

1 Plabltiff bas ascertained the fuB amount of bet damases, she Will seck lca~e of eoun 10 amend

2: 1hiI Complaba accOrdingly. The loss of ~vea ODe film role for Plaintiff wID result on damages...

3 " jD file millions of doIJ!II1I.

, .. 4 30 •. As a 0itecl8:IKI proximate resuh of the aforementio=c:l aeU b7 Dcfcndmts, aDd

! ea of tbcal, DefcDdlUWi. bne earned profits from. the sale, distribution, disscmiDauou and .'

, pubJiQ"lioD ·o£.1he Cav.cr Sto~ and have obtaiDcd De9' .subscn'b~ In an"amowd. wbidl b8I yet

7" to be ascenaincd,'=ind have thereby been \1ujusdy enriched. Plaintiff is emieled to recover aU

,8 said u!UUstemic:hlnc:Dts, iDeJooiog all profits earned br Defend8Dl8 118a rcso1t ~ Dcfcnd8Dbl'

.. , unautbtirizod exploitation of PJamliffs name, imagl! and likeness for COJDDlercial purposes.

10 31. Pl.bJtiff is infonnc:d and believe a:nd based thereon -allege that. 1hc aforQDcntioDCd

11 .cu of ])cfeOd•• and each of them., were done imfJPtionally or with Iil CODsQOU aDd r~kJcss

12 diJrcgard of'iM trdth IWI ofPlaintJff's rights, IlDd with 1he jnteut to vex, injure or lIinoy bet,

13. 5UChas to coDstituk oppressiOD, fraud, or malice, dNs entit1iDg Plaintiff trJ exemplary and

14 ~tive damages in an &mollnt appropriate to pumsb or 5et an example of Defendauts, and

15 cd of 1h=m, and U)deter such ,oDducl itathe fotufC, the exact amouDt. of such damages

16 subject10 proOf Bt Ibe time of Ilia!.

17 32. Plllinlift' is wormed aDObelieves and baaed tbereoXl "leges !bat the DfficerIi.

18 dir~OOI andlOl' miDagmg agents of the DefelJdants authorized, di!ected and/or ralified dle

l' WfODgful acu of theDefCDd1Il1i and ue cousequeatly liable 10 Plaintiff.

20 SECOM> CAUSE OF ACtJON,.. , - ~.. ' ..- - ,..- "'_''-

II (Fo~IuvasSo):l of PrivaC!y [FalseLight) AgaiD5t Defendants)

2Z 33. P1alnlitfrepeat$1 realleges and incOlpOf8tes by refeJenc:e Paragrapbs IlbrouSb

n 30. inclusive, of this Complaint as if fully 1IC'l forth herein.

24 34. Pbintiff is informed and believES aIld thereon allegts mat Defendants, m doing

2S thlt things aUeged hereinabove with(Jllt Plaintiff'li c;onsen1 and depicting ber in a false and

~6 damagin; light, invaded Plamtiff'5 Pl'Dtected rights 10 privacy as prcllerved iu 1M California

21 COD5(innion and al Common Law.

28 1/1

10

L. " • SUPEIU Dll COURT WEST•••Jun-22-06 II:07am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP +2136336899 T-119 P.012/015 F-838

. ·1I0t!

1. 35. PJainuff Is infonned and believes aDd based thereon lIlleges thai by ~ in

2 the r.oDdua all~led hc:rdJ1, Defeodants bave placed Plaintiff before the pu'bJic ill• fa1Ie li&ht,

3 which is highly oft'eDsivl: to Plaintiff, aDd bave lbereby violated Plaintift's riJht ofprivec;y.

4 36. Plalmlff is informed and, be1ievC5 and based tbcreon alleges tbIt IU false light hi5 Which DcfeudanU, and each of them, .bolve pla,cd Plaintiff, by 'Virtue of the coaidum allc&_

..6i_ ~in•..l1!ould be highly iDjnrioUs to the.reasonable person. Plaintiff is infonDed and bellPes

7 and tberefm alleges that through the (;Onduc:t alleged herein. Dcfctdau1s have faln1.7 bnplied

'8 that PJaiDtiff is pregnant, has -allel5t a four .•momb baby bump" f.Qcb that she 1IaIIt wew

, -Empire waist dresses". "baW c1olhina" or an ·old fashioned bathmg suit" 10 M~er her

10 ~y," aud that ber (fictional) prcgnaney is purportedly iD\eJferlng wi~ QM:'two movies me

11 has ccnniDg up in CO.D.Dec:boD with which she supposedly "doestl't 'Wan( to break 1he news to

l~ producers just yet," JIl) of which ~ould have the Datl;U'a1 and rOf~blc cffcet Of QllImllUlY

13 produtC1S, directors, moyie studios, agcllbl aDd others in the CDlenammCDt bJdlDtry to believe .

14 that ,be is not available to take on'or even contioue witllmy curreo1 ectiDS roles~

15 37. Plaintiff is informed and bclieves and based1hereo~. alleges that DefcDdan1l, and

16 eacb oftbem. ar;tc:d with aaual malicc. in that they had knDwledse of, or acted iG recklcsa

17 disregard of, 1he truth or falsity of the Cover Story, tbe rights of Plaintiff. and lbB false Ilgbt ill

18 wbich Plaintiff would be placed by the: publication and dissemination of the Cover Story at

19 bc:rc.iPalleged.

20 38. As 8 direct BPd prOx.imale result of the afOfCJDc:XllioDed acts by DefeDdauts, aDd. ".. --. - -.. '''- " -21 each of them. Plaintiff Jw suffered "amages. iDc1udiDg damage to the value of P1aiplift's n~,

12 JilceDaaand goodwill, and damage IDPJainti{fs reputation as a result of Ibe ~ or Q)Dtat

23 in which Defe,odall.b have commercially exploited her name, photograph, likeaea IDd jd~lity.

24 Plilintiffhas allio suffered emotional disU'CSll as I result of ,aid Defcndants' wrongful alnd'uQ; as

2S aUegea in this cause of action. The eDlOlioDal distress suffcrc4 by PIajouf! is the nonnal type of

26 distress mat would be caused to a person as a result of the Type of conduct alleged herem and is

27 not angoin. or liItvcre mlctiooaJ distresJ.

28 11/

11 COMPl.AINT

Jun-22-06 11:08am From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP- 08/Zl/200a U:U FAX. , •

+2136336899L. A • SllPERIOR COURT WEST

•T-119 P.OI4/015 F-838

'ilou

1 50 For »Unitive damages purswwt 10 Civil Code 13294 in an amalIII appr~_ to

2 puaish or set an eampJc of DdendllDUI, BDdeach of tbem, and to dell;!' suCh cOlK\1D ill tilt

3 fnture, me exact amoUDt of such damagea 5ubjec:L to proof at Ibe time oC triali

4 AS. TO 11IE SRCOND CAUSE OF .~CrION:

5 fi. For general damages and special damages agai:Dst Defendants, •• each of d.:m •. .6 in .c~rdanee Yo!i~~f.aUriaJ. in an amoUDt that is not leu than 1hcjurisdidiolll1 Jimitl of1he

, Conn. toselher wi~ interest tbeJ'eoP at thl!l1eSal rlllej

8 7. For punitive damages PUJ$UaDl to Civil COde §32.94 iD!In •••• lpplOpriatc to

, punish at let 3D example of Defendants, a:ad each of them, and to dc:acr such CODduct in die

10 futun:. the aBet ~t of sucb dan1ages s\lbject to ploof at the lime. of ~;

11 A~TO ALL CAUSES OFACTION;

12 8. For COstS of the suit mcurrcd.

13

141516 DAn: Jwe;Ie 2006

17

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19

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21

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25

2627

28

9.10.

For interest at the Statutory rnrei and

For such otber and further relief as the Court mil)' deem just aDd proper.

LA VEL Y & SINGERPROJ:ESSIONAL CORroJOHN Jl. JA~. 1.R..Y/.E:....HOLTK~I/

~ .I

13 COMPLAINT

L.A. SUPERIOR coURT WEST

Jun-22-06 11:08am

11/211200' IS;28 FA!

From-DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

•+2136336899,..

T-119 P.OI5/015 F-838iii015

1

.. Z . Plai~'~ura lean Reese Witherspoon pIofesslomlly Gown IS Reese Witbenpoon

,. 3 herebY demands a trial by jury.

4...

I DAn: Junei!.. 2006

(;

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8.,10

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14

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16

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252.6

2728

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LAVELY & SINGERPROfESSIONAL COJOHN H. LA VEL Y. JR.YAELE. ~

By:

14 COMPlAINT