Foley Secures Injunction for Paul Newman's Daughters in Image Rights Case

Foley & Lardner LLP successfully represented Susan Newman and Nell Newman, daughters of the late Hollywood actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, in obtaining a temporary injunction from Connecticut state court. The injunction, issued by Superior Court Judge Sheila Ozalis, prohibits Newman’s Own Foundation from licensing Paul Newman’s image and likeness for non-food products, specifically blocking the sale of the “Special Edition Wet Brush X Newman’s Own Pro Detangler in Deep Blue.”

The lawsuit, initiated in November 2022, alleges a breach of fiduciary duty against Newman’s Own Foundation. The Newman sisters argue that the foundation’s unilateral decision to reduce annual charitable allocations, as stipulated by Paul Newman, violates his explicit wishes and the terms of his living trust.

In response to these actions, the Newman sisters are seeking $3.2 million in damages intended for charitable distribution, aligned with Paul Newman’s philanthropic objectives. The ongoing litigation seeks to uphold Newman’s legacy and ensure adherence to his vision for the Newman’s Own Foundation.

The Foley team representing the Newman sisters is led by Andrew Lee and includes Samuel Fishman and Michael Berg.

In a recent Law360 article, Lee highlighted the compelling nature of the Newman sisters’ arguments, noting, “The Newman plaintiffs’ claims in this case are strong and supported by more than a decade of evidence about how Paul Newman actually wanted his name, image, and likeness used, which is very different from how Newman’s Own Foundation has been using it.”

To read the full Law360 article, click here.