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Los Angeles - Warner Bros filed court papers on Monday indicating they intend to digitally alter the tattoo on Ed Helms' character's face when The Hangover Part II is released on DVD and Blu-ray later this year, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
The movie studio told a judge that if it can't resolve the ongoing legal tussle over the tattoo on display in the blockbuster comedy by the time it comes out on home video, the studio will digitally alter the controversial mark on Helms' face,
Warner Bros was sued by a Missouri tattoo artist who claims he owns a copyright on the unique tattoo first worn by former boxer Mike Tyson and now by Helms in The Hangover Part II.
Permanent injunction
The tattoo's owner, S Victor Whitmill, attempted to stop the film's release in May but was denied a preliminary injunction. The movie has since grossed $350m worldwide.
The case has continued, however, and US District Judge Catherine Perry on Thursday set a jury trial date for February 21 2012. At issue is whether to award Whitmill a permanent injunction against the film's distribution and/or damages for copyright infringement.
Whitmill and his lawyers had sought a trial in August. But Warners opposed that schedule, saying in court documents that such a quick resolution wasn't necessary because the studio plans to whitewash the offending mark from the movie after its theatrical run. The move would eliminate any further alleged damages to Whitmill from his copyrighted tattoo appearing in the film.
"If the parties are unable to resolve their dispute, Warner Bros does not intend to make any use of the allegedly infringing tattoo after the film ends its run in theatres because Warner Bros will digitally alter the film to substitute a different tattoo on Ed Helms's face," the documents said.
The DVD release of The Hangover Part II is currently scheduled for early December 2011.
The movie studio told a judge that if it can't resolve the ongoing legal tussle over the tattoo on display in the blockbuster comedy by the time it comes out on home video, the studio will digitally alter the controversial mark on Helms' face,
Warner Bros was sued by a Missouri tattoo artist who claims he owns a copyright on the unique tattoo first worn by former boxer Mike Tyson and now by Helms in The Hangover Part II.
Permanent injunction
The tattoo's owner, S Victor Whitmill, attempted to stop the film's release in May but was denied a preliminary injunction. The movie has since grossed $350m worldwide.
The case has continued, however, and US District Judge Catherine Perry on Thursday set a jury trial date for February 21 2012. At issue is whether to award Whitmill a permanent injunction against the film's distribution and/or damages for copyright infringement.
Whitmill and his lawyers had sought a trial in August. But Warners opposed that schedule, saying in court documents that such a quick resolution wasn't necessary because the studio plans to whitewash the offending mark from the movie after its theatrical run. The move would eliminate any further alleged damages to Whitmill from his copyrighted tattoo appearing in the film.
"If the parties are unable to resolve their dispute, Warner Bros does not intend to make any use of the allegedly infringing tattoo after the film ends its run in theatres because Warner Bros will digitally alter the film to substitute a different tattoo on Ed Helms's face," the documents said.
The DVD release of The Hangover Part II is currently scheduled for early December 2011.
