The Lawsuit is Back On....

The image used in the Facebook ad

Back in September of 2019, FTVLive told you that WTXF (Philly) Anchor Karen Hepp said an unauthorized security photo of her is being used to promote a dating site, erectile dysfunction ads and pornography sites. The lawsuit says the photo was used on Facebook to promote a dating site. The photo also appears on Imgur, which has 300-million users, in a section labeled “MILF”.

The picture was taken from a security camera as she stood at the counter of a local store.

Hepp sued Facebook and others, but the lawsuit got tossed out of court.

But, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says hold on a second!

They have ruled that Hepp can sue Facebook and have overturned the first ruling.

The majority -- Judges Peter Phipps and Thomas Hardiman, in an opinion by Hardiman -- said its interpretation was textual, since Congress didn’t specifically distinguish between state and federal intellectual property rights in enacting an exception to Section 230 immunity. But Hardiman also said the court’s holding was consistent with the law’s goal of “preserving the vibrant and competitive free market that presently exists for the internet.”

Hepp counsel Fineman says he’s gratified to represent a client willing to fight for everyone who has worked hard to develop their image. “She’s a trooper,” he said. “She stands by her brand.”

This much is clear, Facebook is not yet done from dealing with Karen Hepp.

On another note, I hate Facebook.

H/T Reuters