Julia Child’s Estate Files Publicity Suit Against Airbnb

The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts has
filed a lawsuit against Airbnb Inc. alleging the home-sharing company
used Child’s name and likeness without permission in an advertised
promotion. Julia Child Found. For Gastronomy & Culinary Arts v.
Airbnb Inc., No. 16-2626 (Cal. Super. Ct., Santa Barbara Cty., filed June
22, 2016).

According to the complaint, Airbnb contacted the foundation in April
2016 requesting permission to use the famed American chef and author’s
name and likeness in an ad promoting a free night’s stay at a French
property Child and her husband had used as a summer home. “Consistent
with Mrs. Child’s longstanding and widely-known policy of politely
refusing all requests to associate her name or image with commercial
products and brands,” the foundation denied the request, then discovered
that Airbnb used her image in its marketing campaign anyway. The
foundation seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction, damages and
attorney’s fees for the alleged misappropriation.

Issue 609