Bitzer sues Body Glove
posted on 4th September 2011
Jason Bitzer a US pro bodyboarder and watersport company Body Glove International are entangled in a nasty legal battle. Bitzer, 30 years old, contends that Body Glove and marketing company Sport Dimension Inc used his name and likeness to sell body boards without his permission.
"He's one of the top-known body boarders in the country," said Bitzer's attorney, Dan A. Druz of Manasquan, N.J. "He's like any celebrity - he wants to be paid for the use of his name."
Body Glove sponsored Bitzer until 2009, paying him for permission to use his name and image to market its products, Druz said. The company did not renew the deal in 2010, but continued to sell boards with his name, Druz said.
The lawsuit, originally filed in a New Jersey state court, was transferred this week to US District Court in Los Angeles. It contends that Body Glove sold $3 million worth of bodyboards with Bitzer's name without a formal endorsement contract. Most of the bodyboards were sold at Costco and Sports Authority stores, the lawsuit said.
An attorney for Body Glove did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bitzer is director of the US Bodyboarding Association, which sponsors contests throughout the United States.
The lawsuit seeks $500,000 in damages.
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