Attorney Willie Gary Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Chubby Checker against Hewlett Packard & Palm, Inc.
FORT PIERCE, Fla., Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Famed attorney Willie Gary along with his law partner, Robert Parenti and associate attorney, Alicia M. Phidd of the Stuart, Florida-based law firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary, P.L. filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit on behalf of world-renown music legend, Chubby Checker who is known for the ever-popular #1 hit, “The Twist.” The lawsuit was filed today against technology giant Hewlett Packard and its subsidiary Palm, Inc. for maintaining a software application called “Chubby Checker” for Palm products. Hewlett Packard nor Palm, Inc. have been given permission directly, indirectly or otherwise to maintain the app. The suit was filed in St. Lucie County Federal Court.
The lawsuit details the irreparable damage and harm that Hewlett Packard’s bad business dealings caused Chubby Checker and his company. The complaint further states that despite numerous attempts to cease the “app,” Hewlett Packard refused to dismantle the operation and, therefore, continues to perpetuate degrading and derogatory content directly linked to Chubby Checker. The “app” adversely affects Chubby Checker’s brand and value and if allowed to continue, will cause serious damage to the Plaintiff’s goodwill and will tarnish his image that he has worked to maintain over the last 50 years. The lawsuit alleges that the egregious and flagrant acts of Hewlett Packard and Palm, Inc., if not stopped immediately, will permit Defendants to enjoy profits to which they are not entitled.
“This lawsuit is about preserving the integrity and legacy of a man who has spent years working hard at his musical craft and has earned the position of one of the greatest musical entertainers of all time,” commented Gary. “We cannot sit idly and watch as technology giants or anyone else exploits the name or likeness of an innocent person with the goal of making millions of dollars. The Defendants have marketed Chubby Checkers’ name on their product to gain a profit and this just isn’t right,” continued Gary.
Gary is no stranger to seeking justice. Gary and his legal team are known for taking on some of the nation’s most powerful corporate giants, including the funeral industry. In 1995, a jury awarded Gary and his legal team a record-breaking, half-billion dollars against one of the world’s largest funeral chains, The Loewen Group. In addition, Gary is noted for winning a $240 million jury verdict in Orange County against the Walt Disney Corporation for his clients who alleged that Disney stole their idea for a sports theme park. In 2001, a jury awarded Gary a $139.6 million verdict for the Maris Distributing Company against Anheuser Busch.