Sir Michael Caine is reportedly planning to take legal action against Marsh & Parson’s after the London-based estate agency, owned by LSL, used his image and a reference to a classic line in one of his films to advertise its business – without his consent.
The actor was unhappy to learn that Marsh & Parsons had used his portrait on a poster in the window of its branch in Kensington, West London.
The advert featured a picture of the Hollywood star, 89, with a quote of his famous line in The Italian Job: “You were only supposed to blow the ****** doors off!”
It is not the first time one of Marsh & Parsons’ adverts which juxtapose descriptions of property with images of people has got them in trouble.
The agency was forced to remove an outdoor advert featuring the now former prime minister Theresa May, again without her permission.
According to the Daily Mail, Caine’s team were furious after learning that the property firm was attempting to cash in on their client’s fame.
It is understood that the news prompted his Los Angeles agent to send emails with the words ‘without his permission’ written in capitals.
Marsh & Parsons has been approached for comment.
Comments (6)
Always worth checking copyrights. Not a lot of people know that.
careful now… you don’t want to add yourself to you the “without his permission” hit list
If true one really does need to feel sorry for the bloke. He needs to advise his agent they’ve done more harm to his reputation than the advert did.
Downright stupid to do this without consent.
Ignoring the legality and copyright issue for one second but it’s a brilliant campaign and this one in particular is especially good
Landlords who bemoan the legal system and tenants who take no notice of the law, – are not best placed to ” Ignore the legality of the issue “