Several weeks have past since the last Paris Hilton sex tape-related lawsuit was filed, so clearly it was time for a new lawsuit in the real-life continuing saga of sex, lies, and videotape.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Hilton has sued a Panama-based Internet company for $30 million, claiming that it illegally distributed the now-infamous tape of her having sex with ex-boyfriend Rick Solomon, Reuters reports.
Charging Panama-based Kahatani Ltd. with violating her privacy, executing illegal business practices, and inflicting "severe economic, emotional and other irreparable injury" on the self-described "model and actress," Hilton's lawsuit seeks $15 million in actual damages and another $15 million in punitive damages. "Hilton intended the tape only for personal use and never intended or consented that it be shown to anyone else or distributed to the public," the suit states.
The new lawsuit brings the number of known lawsuits that have been filed regarding the notorious tape to four.
Salomon, who runs an adult-oriented company called Beverly Hills Pimps & Hos, filed the first tape-related lawsuit against Hilton and her family last fall, charging that the Hiltons and their representatives unfairly slandered him in the public statements that they made when reports of the tape first emerged.
ADVERTISEMENT
Solomon, whos company's stated goal is to shed a "scandalous" light on the "saddest, richest and hottest girl of Beverly Hills," seeks $10 million in compensation, although it has become increasingly clear that the true goal of his lawsuit it to clearly establish that he has the right to the market the infamous film.
The third and fourth pending lawsuits involve Solomon, a friend of his who alleges he was authorized to sell the tape, and the Seattle-based pornography company to which Don Thrasher, the friend, originally sold the marketing rights to the tape.
Shortly after filing the Hilton lawsuit, Salomon, also filed a second $10 million copyright infringement and invasion of privacy lawsuit against adult entertainment provider Marvad Corp. In the lawsuit Salomon claims that the tape was stolen from his possession by Thrasher and that he never authorized sale of the tape.
In response, Marvad sued Thrasher, who sold it the tape to Marvad in return for a $50,000 advance against 30% of the gross revenues collected from the tape, for $10 million. In its suit Marvad claims that Thrasher misled them into believing that he owned the tape.
For his part, Thrasher continues to insist that he was given the tape by Salomon and was merely acting as Salomon's agent. "We had an agreement to sell the tape, He gave me the tape. Period." Thrasher stated at the time. Thrasher also contends that he cashed the $50,000 advance check that he received from Marvad and gave half to Salomon.