Record-breaking US pilot sues Airbus for using his likeness
A retired US Air Force pilot has accused Airbus of using his name, identity and likeness without authorisation to promote one of its helicopters.
In a complaint filed at the US District Court for the Central District of California on Wednesday, September 18, Chuck Yeager said the infringement occurred in 2017, when Airbus launched the so-called Racer helicopter.
Yeager, who has broken a number of world records, said the aerospace company had exploited his standing as “one of the most, if not the most, famous pilots of all time”.
The filing alleged that promotional material released in 2017 quotes the CEO of Airbus Helicopters as saying: “’Seventy years ago, Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. Now, we’re trying to break the cost barrier’.”
According to the complaint, in 2008 Yeager visited Airbus with the aim to negotiate an endorsement deal.
While the visit was filmed, “no video was permitted to be used for sales or advertising unless a deal setting the terms of same was entered into between Yeager and Airbus,” the filing said.
Yeager said Airbus wanted to use his name in press releases, but when informed that it would cost over $1 million, Airbus declined.
Yeager said the promotional material used his likeness and reputation to highlight Airbus’ intention of making a cost-effective and fast way to fly, and likely resulted in an increase in the company’s profits.
“By using his name, identity and likeness in the infringing material, Airbus impaired the ability of Yeager to receive his established earning potential,” the complaint said.
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