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Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Moviemakers Sue Site Over ‘Twilight’ Swag

LOS ANGELES (CN) - The makers of the "Twilight" vampire movies accused a Web site of helping users make tens of thousands of T-shirts, posters and coffee mugs using copyrighted "Twilight" marks.

Summit Entertainment produced and directed four vastly popular vampire movies in the "Twilight" series, which follows star-crossed lovers Edward Cullen, a vampire, and Bella Swan, a human.

Summit sued Zazzle.com, a Web site that helps consumers make and sell products with any image the user wants. The Web site manufactures users' orders, displays their creations and hosts accounts where other viewers can buy the merchandise, according to the federal complaint.

Summit says it has pending copyrights on images such as the "Twilight" logo, the Cullen family crest and the phrase "Team Edward." Zazzle has been selling products using those and other images since June 2008, the lawsuit states.

Zazzle.com allegedly ignored two cease-and-desist letters -- one in November 2008 and another in August 2009.

Summit wants damages and an order stopping Zazzle from selling any more infringing products. It is represented by Jill Pietrini with Manatt Phelps & Phillips.

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