JohnCenaFan28
12-01-2008, 10:30 PM
A French appeals court says voodoo dolls of President Sarkozy can stay on sale - but must carry a label saying they are offensive to him.
http://www.ananova.com/images/web/1458400.jpg
A lower court last month dismissed M Sarkozy's demand for a ban, ruling the doll was "within the authorised limits of free expression and the right to humour".
The appeals court judge found that "spearing the doll... constitutes an offence to the dignity of Mr Sarkozy" - but said banning the dolls would be "disproportionate and inadequate".
The judge ordered the makers, publishing company K&B, to pay Mr Sarkozy the symbolic sum of one euro in damages, as well as all other costs of the case.
Thierry Herzog, the president's lawyer, said he was satisfied by the ruling, adding: "The important thing is that consistent principles and jurisprudence should be applied."
In the course of the appeals court hearing, Mr Herzog argued that encouraging people to stick needles in Mr Sarkozy's likeness went "far beyond" satire and was verging on "incitement to hatred".
Mr Sarkozy took K&B to court after the dolls went on sale in October, but the company refused to stop selling them. His lawyer said the president had "exclusive and absolute rights" over his own image.
K&B also released a similar doll of Segolene Royal, Mr Sarkozy's rival in the presidential elections last year, but she decided not to take legal action, saying: "I have a sense of humour."
-Nova
http://www.ananova.com/images/web/1458400.jpg
A lower court last month dismissed M Sarkozy's demand for a ban, ruling the doll was "within the authorised limits of free expression and the right to humour".
The appeals court judge found that "spearing the doll... constitutes an offence to the dignity of Mr Sarkozy" - but said banning the dolls would be "disproportionate and inadequate".
The judge ordered the makers, publishing company K&B, to pay Mr Sarkozy the symbolic sum of one euro in damages, as well as all other costs of the case.
Thierry Herzog, the president's lawyer, said he was satisfied by the ruling, adding: "The important thing is that consistent principles and jurisprudence should be applied."
In the course of the appeals court hearing, Mr Herzog argued that encouraging people to stick needles in Mr Sarkozy's likeness went "far beyond" satire and was verging on "incitement to hatred".
Mr Sarkozy took K&B to court after the dolls went on sale in October, but the company refused to stop selling them. His lawyer said the president had "exclusive and absolute rights" over his own image.
K&B also released a similar doll of Segolene Royal, Mr Sarkozy's rival in the presidential elections last year, but she decided not to take legal action, saying: "I have a sense of humour."
-Nova