# Disney Sued for Unauthorized Use of Peter Cushing's Likeness in "Rogue One" ## Background "*Rogue One: A Star Wars Story*" (2016) is a spin-off film that serves as a prequel to the original *Star Wars* trilogy. The film features the late actor Peter Cushing, who portrayed Grand Moff Tarkin in the original films. However, Cushing passed away in 1994, raising questions about how his likeness was used in the film. ## Unauthorized Use According to the lawsuit filed by Cushing's estate, Disney did not obtain permission to use Cushing's likeness in the film. The estate claims that Disney used CGI to create a digital recreation of Cushing's face, which was superimposed onto the body of another actor. The lawsuit alleges that Disney's actions violated Cushing's right of publicity and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). ## Estate's Claims The estate seeks damages from Disney, as well as an injunction preventing further unauthorized use of Cushing's likeness. The estate argues that Disney's actions were not only illegal but also disrespectful to Cushing's legacy. They claim that Disney used Cushing's likeness for profit without his consent, which is a violation of his rights. ## Disney's Response Disney has not yet filed a formal response to the lawsuit. However, the company has stated that it believes it has the right to use Cushing's likeness under the "fair use" doctrine. Fair use allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, or news reporting. ## Legal Implications The outcome of this lawsuit will have implications for the use of deceased actors' likenesses in future films. If the estate is successful in its lawsuit, it could set a precedent that makes it more difficult for studios to use such likenesses without permission. ## Impact on Disney A ruling against Disney could have significant financial implications for the company. The lawsuit alleges damages of up to $10 million, and a court could also order Disney to pay attorney's fees and other costs. ## Conclusion The lawsuit against Disney for unauthorized use of Peter Cushing's likeness is a complex and important case. The outcome will have implications for the use of deceased actors' likenesses in future films, as well as for Disney's future financial performance.
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