14 DAY TRIAL // Yahoo and Google are probably the most sued companies on the Internet because they are continuously attacked for copyright infringement and use of the content without authorization. This time it's Yahoo's turn, the giant portal being sued by an Ohio woman for using her photograph without approval. She sustains her image appeares when every user tries to create a new Yahoo Mail account, accusing the giant portal for violating her right to publicity and privacy.
"According to a complaint filed in Ohio federal court, the woman, Shannon Stovall, learned of the alleged misuse of her likeness after she signed up for Yahoo e-mail. An image of Stovall (left) was included in the sign-up confirmation e-mail sent to Stovall's new Yahoo e-mail address. Stovall, who is represented by attorneys from three firms-read: not a pro se lawsuit-is alleging Yahoo violated her right to publicity and right to privacy," Google Watch reported.
Shannon Stovall required $20 million in damages and a consistent part of the profits recorded by the company after it used her photo to advertise the mail service, as well as all the attorney fees. Although nor Yahoo representatives, nor Shannon's lawyers could be contacted, this is another important case filed against the giant portal.
Some time ago, several Belgian newspapers sued Yahoo for copyright infringement after the giant portal published headlines and news content into its Yahoo News service. The same publications also sued Google, another Internet giant, for the same reason, a Belgian court ordering the search giant to remove all the content provided by the newspapers and never publish their information into Google News. As you know, Google News receives information from numerous sources on the Internet but it publishes only the headline among with a link to the original publisher.