Uma Thurman was an exclusive spokesmodel for the French cosmetics maker Lancome from 2000 to 2005. The actress and model penned a multimillion dollar deal with Lancome that gave them permission to use her likeness to sell their products. When the contract ended her face continued to show up on ads in Asia and Canada.
Thurman, through her lawyer Burt Fields, has filed a lawsuit asking for $15 million in compensation. The actress and her legal team first attempted to handle the problem without filing suit but where blindsided when the cosmetics giant filed suit against them.
In an attempt to quickly counter the initial claim, Lancome filed a lawsuit with the State Supreme Court of Manhattan asking a judge to rule that the company did not wrongfully use her image. In their legal brief, they claim that they did not knowingly use her images after Thurman’s contract ended and immediately removed the images upon being notified of the situation.
Prior to filing Thurman’s suit, her lawyer said:
Look at the huge free benefit Lancôme gets from using her. The French want to accept that benefit without paying for it. Obviously, the French have decided they won’t even try to resolve this amicably, so they have filed this sneak attack.”
Lancome’s action came two days after Thurman’s stalker fan, Jack Jordan, was convicted of harassing the actress. The judge in that case has ordered that Jordan will remain in custody and undergo a complete psychological evaluation. He will be sentenced next month.
Check out more photos of the lovely Uma Thurman HERE and below.