Gay blogger faces $7.6 million lawsuit

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • December 19, 2006 - 0:00

The site owner Mario Lavandeira is accused of copyright infringement

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Gay blogger Perez Hilton is being sued by paparazzi after using their photos on his celebratory gossip website PerezHilton.com.

The site owner Mario Lavandeira is accused of copyright infringement for using the pictures, which he marks with his own comments, without permission.

X17 Inc, a Los Angeles photo agency has file a $7.6 million lawsuit, the Associated Press reports.

X17 co-owner Brandy Navarre told the Los Angeles Times: "We've had trouble with a lot of bloggers, but he's the biggest, and the most arrogant and pigheaded about it, frankly.

"He is stealing our images and costing us money every day."

However, Lavandeira insists he has done nothing wrong, "I am going to vigorously defend myself, I am willing to step up to the plate and fight for my rights and fight for the rights of all bloggers," he said.

His lawyer claims that he has a legal right to make comical use of newsworthy pictures.

It comes after paparazzi refused to take Lavandeira's picture at a VH1 party last week in protest against his actions.

Gay model Reichen Lehmkuhl has also criticised the blogger for his reports on the relationship between him and N'Sync singer Lance Bass.

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