Movie News

Steve McQueen Heirs Sue Clothing Maker

AP
Posted: 2008-03-26 15:50:57
NEW YORK (March 26) - Heirs of the late actor Steve McQueen have gone to court to stop an apparel manufacturer from using the King of Cool's name and likeness to promote its products without their consent.

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Chadwick McQueen and The Terry McQueen Testamentary Trust say in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan that McQueen's name and likeness have been ripped off by Belstaff USA Corp. They've asked the court to stop the company from marketing jackets, coats, sweaters, T-shirts, pants and shoes under the name of the actor, who starred in classics such as "Bullitt" and "The Great Escape" and died in 1980.

The lawsuit said the rights to merchandise carrying McQueen's name belong to his two children, Chad and Terry. The lawsuit said Terry McQueen died in 1998, leaving her rights and assets to her daughter, Molly Flattery, through the trust.

The lawsuit seeks a judicial order to stop Belstaff and related companies from manufacturing or selling items that carry the actor's name or messages related to him. It also seeks unspecified damages.

A telephone message left at Belstaff's Manhattan office was not immediately returned Tuesday. Belstaff is based in Italy.

McQueen's film credits also include "The Magnificent Seven," "The Cincinnati Kid" and the critically acclaimed "Papillon," which costarred Dustin Hoffman.



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2008-03-26 10:14:11
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Recent Comments

1 - 15 of 29
29 comments

KinderPrintables 12:18:24 PM Mar 27 2008

Is Belstaff a foreign owned company (even though it has USA in the name doens't mean that it is a US enterprise) Where are the clothes made? If you think about it, how often do you see infringing apparel coming from China, India, or Pakistan (Thanks to Walmart, etc) ? It's not uncommon - but as long as the consumers keep buying it, it will continue to flood the market place.

Jonitreo 11:20:48 AM Mar 27 2008

It is wrong of the clothing company to use his name or likeness for their own profit. His heirs are entitled to what he left them. That is what he wanted.

WVINSPIRATION 10:34:10 AM Mar 27 2008

Clothing manufacturers follow the rules! Copy write laws.
ASK FIRST! Get permission............then make the line.
This is really bad business.

ATEDENS JJ 06:44:16 AM Mar 27 2008

Money money money,,,,money!

Shymtnranch 08:16:23 PM Mar 26 2008

sdave, before you make an ass out of yourself again, perhaps you had better read steve mcqueen's bio.
for some time he was the highest paid actor in hollywood, was nominated for an academy award, was consistantly a high box office earner, being one of the world's most popular actors.
he died, not young, but perhaps before his time.
his list of film credits, surely rates him as one of hollywoods best liked and most prolific actors.
his career speaks for itself.

sdave7596 06:58:16 PM Mar 26 2008

Steve McQueen was an average actor, much like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean...they died young, therefore their star was magnified and blown way out of proportion...McQueen was not getting very many good roles prior to his death in 1980.....

fyscs 06:56:11 PM Mar 26 2008

wait i have a question.. That pic up there of Mariah Carey thats not the cake right? cuz if it is...

fyscs 06:56:00 PM Mar 26 2008

wait i have a question.. That pic up there of Mariah Carey thats not the cake right? cuz if it is dam

Dentaldmd 05:48:56 PM Mar 26 2008

he set up a trust for his kids' benefit, not sme rip-off marketing gurus trying to make money off of his name without paying up... I hope the clothing manufacturers get slammed good.

sm41rfstep 04:49:18 PM Mar 26 2008

The Great Escape was from a German stalag(look it up)

votypkaj 04:43:31 PM Mar 26 2008

I wish I had a nickname as awesome as "King of Cool".

rwzn2bix 04:15:26 PM Mar 26 2008

Steve McQueen did his own driving in cars and on motorcycles in his movies. How many of todays ***** actors do that?

rvmamas 03:27:41 PM Mar 26 2008

racetwins, How do you figure his family is "lame"?

bodymassage 02:44:18 PM Mar 26 2008

PEOPLE...the dude was not that good an actor. The Company is doing his memory a favor and casting a Kool Light on it.

peterm0915 02:29:06 PM Mar 26 2008

STEVE MCQUEEN COULD HAVE KICKED ANY OF THESE SO-CALLED ACTORS ASSES BACK TO THE WOMB!!! STEVE WAS THE COOLEST AND BADDEST!!!!!!

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