Sylvester Stallone has Fake 'Rocky' Gloves Pulled from Auction
Sylvester Stallone takes his image seriously.
Or at least his Rocky gloves seriously.
After Sly got wind that a Hollywood memorabilia company was set to auction off a pair of gloves he reportedly used during the six-part boxing saga, he threatened to sue.
The cease and desist letter sent by Sylvester Stallone to Profiles In History--a fairly reputable dealer in Hollywood artifacts--claims that the Rocky gloves are fakes. It, however, doesn't explain how the actor knows this.
One can only wonder if every last pair is stored in a secret a Rocky shrine at his home.
The letter goes on to list potential legal claims Sly would make against the company if it didn't remove the fake Rocky gloves from the auction.
Besides alleging unfair competition and false advertising, Stallone's lawyer asserted that the actor would sue the company for its "unauthorized commercial exploitation" of his good name to pass off fake items.
In other words, Stallone would sue the company for infringing on his right of publicity, which gives him complete control his public image and related endorsements.
Sly would not have a difficult time recovering compensation on these claims in court if the gloves turn out to be fake.
Even though TMZ reports that the auction house insists that it has verified their authenticity, false advertising laws don't take into account the advertiser's intent. Merely engaging in the act is enough.
But none of this actually matters anymore. The Rocky gloves were reportedly pulled from the auction.
Related Resources:
- 'Rocky boxing gloves' pulled (WENN)
- Entertainment Law (FindLaw)
- What is false advertising? (FindLaw)
- Anna Nicole Opera: Will Ex-Playmate's Estate Sue? (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
