Pardon Non: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Wins Ruling Against Clothing Vendor Over Use of Nude Image

French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. has won a claim against a clothing firm for using nude images of her on their bags. It is a French version of the American common law rule against the appropriation of a person’s name or image. She will receive $56,200 but clothing vendor Pardon, says that it may appeal.

The founder and manager of the Pardon chain, Peter Mertes, complained that 40,000 euros seemed expensive to him for “a small blunder.” Litigation must be cheaper in France than in the United States. That would be an easy call for most companies here — pay the amount and avoid appellate costs that would dwarf those damages.

Bruni-Sarkozy is much more successful as a litigant than her husband who has sued over the use of his image.

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