The company offers a doll for sale resembling President Nicolas Sarkozy (as well as one of his rival, Socialist Segolene Royal). “The doll bears a number of colorful quotes from the outspoken statesman (such as ‘Get lost, you pathetic ______,’ which he allegedly said last year to someone who refused to shake his hand) and comes with a manual telling buyers to stick pins in the quotes.” The nastygram from Sarkozy’s lawyer says the maker must recall the 20,000 dolls or it will infringe on Sarkozy’s “exclusive and absolute rights over his own image”. (Lowering the Bar, Oct. 22; BBC).

Filed under: France, right of publicity