Brad Pitt's loudmouthed attorneys at Lavely & Singer are, preemptively, trying to clamp down on a series of photos that "were surreptitiously taken of Mr. Pitt and his family as they engaged in familial activities on private property, namely, in the privacy of the estate in which they are presently residing in France and where they had a reasonable expectation of privacy." Not content with issuing a cease and desist letter after the pictures' publication, L&S want to make sure these photos never make it into the public eye. (Too late, as you'll see.)
Supposedly, the publication of these photos — showing Pitt and wife Angelina Jolie with the kids — infringe not just on Pitt's privacy rights in the State of California, but also in France!
Except, according to one understanding of the law, this is wrong. Oh, and also? In Touch already published the pics.
In the U.S., aerial photos of private property haven't exactly been viewed as invasions of privacy. If those cameras are aimed through windows to snap pictures indoors, well then maybe. But outdoor pics? Less so.
In France, the rules are much stricter, as we've noted before. The French take citizen privacy, even for celebs, much more serious, and make it a crime to publish pictures without consent, even when celebs have limited to no expectation of privacy. Except the rules might only matter when the pictures are published in France; the photos, if snapped in France and published elsewhere, are generally un-actionable.
This isn't the first, nor the last time we'll see Hollywood firms like Lavely & Singer protecting their clients' photo privacy. The bulldog law firm went down this road before when topless sunbathing photos of Pitt's own ex-wife Jennifer Aniston surfaced. Perhaps forecasting where Pitt's own matter will end up, most web publications pulled those photos.
Indeed: Bauer-Griffin, the paparazzi agency behind the photos that today's Lavely & Singer cease and desist letter is about, has taken their pictures down. But not before selling them to In Touch. We can't find the pics on their website, but anybody can find the 20+ pictures in this week's issue, on newsstands now.
On the next page, read Lavely & Singer's not for publication letter.
Editorial Director
Good for Brad!!! It's about time.
Good for them. While I love all things J-P, I can want until red carpet photos or released photos. Let them enjoy their summer.
Incidentally — I think you meant "SICS" not "SICKS".
Don't mess with Mr. Pitt. He did not spend millions on privacy for nothing. He and his family deserve some peace and not being constantly buzzed overhead by crazy paparazzi. In public, fair targets, in their home, leave them and others alone.
Yes, I'm a fan. But no, we don't need to have these invasion of privacy photos. The paps should leave well enough alone.
Actually these pictures are on the front of In Touch this week. There are 20 pictures in the magazine. So I am not sure how they have won? Obviously you did not call In Touch.
hmm.. they look like fake leaked pics - and we've seen a billion photo-op pics of them w/ the not-twin kids, so why the cease and desist?
GOOD! Those Paparazzis are nuts! Famous people are not our slaves, they desirve their privacy.
i'll stop looking at pap pics of their kids when they stop selling pics of their kids to the media
they sell the 'perfect family pics' which all the drones lap up-' god bless the jP's'
but the britters=bradders shots they sue about-surprise surprise
they didn't sue when angie had her paps out-wasn't that more invasive?
privacy is the responsiblity of the parents and if they sell their kids images then it is little wonder no-one respects their privacy
if they want to donate then donate, they are multi-millionaires
but to sell the images of their kids to the highest bidder is money grubbing and infra dig IMO
In my opinion, as VERY well paid actor and actress, you give up any rights to privacy. You choose your life… I really do feel for you, Brad and Ang, now live with it!