Former Rep. George Santos has taken legal action against late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging that Kimmel used fake names to request personalized videos from Santos on the platform Cameo and then misused the clips on his talk show. Santos filed a civil lawsuit against Kimmel, as well as Disney and ABC, seeking damages of at least $750,000. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, accuses Kimmel of copyright infringement, fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment.
According to the lawsuit, Kimmel used “phony names and narratives” and submitted requests from “fake user profiles created by Kimmel as part of the fraud.” Furthermore, Kimmel intentionally violated the personal use licenses of the Cameo videos by broadcasting and commercially exploiting them on national television. The lawsuit claims that Kimmel began using Santos’ Cameo videos on his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in December. Some of these videos were played during a segment titled “Will Santos Say It?” Additionally, Kimmel made jokes about being sued by Santos in a December 11 episode of his show.
In response to the lawsuit, Kimmel expressed his excitement at the prospect of being sued by Santos, stating, “Could you imagine if I get sued by George Santos for a fraud? I mean how good would that be? It would be like a dream come true. So since I started buying his videos his rates went way up to $500 a piece. He should be thanking me for buying these videos.”
Variety has reached out to Kimmel, ABC, and Disney for comment on the matter.
This legal dispute between George Santos and Jimmy Kimmel highlights the potential misuse of personalized videos obtained through platforms like Cameo. Santos alleges that Kimmel not only used fake names and profiles to request these videos but also violated the terms of personal use licenses by broadcasting them on national television. The lawsuit raises important questions about the boundaries of personal use licenses and the responsibility of celebrities when it comes to respecting the rights of individuals who provide personalized content.
Cameo, a website where celebrities sell personalized video messages, has gained popularity in recent years. It allows fans to request personalized videos from their favorite celebrities for various occasions. However, this case brings to light the potential risks associated with such platforms. While users may assume that their videos will be used for personal purposes only, this lawsuit suggests that there may be instances where these videos are exploited without consent.
The lawsuit also sheds light on the power dynamics between celebrities and individuals who provide personalized content. Santos, a former congressman, claims that Kimmel’s actions not only violated his rights but also affected his market value. Kimmel’s jokes about being sued by Santos and the subsequent increase in Santos’ rates for Cameo videos demonstrate the influence that celebrities can have on the livelihoods of others.
It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold and what implications it may have for the use of personalized videos obtained through platforms like Cameo. The outcome of this case could potentially set a precedent for the responsible use of such content and the protection of individuals’ rights. As the lawsuit progresses, it will be interesting to see how Kimmel, ABC, and Disney respond to the allegations and what impact this case may have on the wider entertainment industry.
