Even if Isaiah Washington is not longer part of the Grey's Anatomy cast, that doesn't mean he can't be at the center of more behind the scenes drama surrounding the show. This time, the actor is suing because the ABC show used a picture of himself portraying his Grey's character in last week's episode, "The Becoming."According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor filed a complaint with SAG because the show used his picture without permission.
Grey's Anatomy has the rights to use the character's name to further storylines -- in this case they made Washington's character win a prestigious award so it would affect two of the current characters' lives -- but can't use the actor's image without consent.
Washington, who just wrapped The Least of These in which he plays a priest and who is currently filming Patriots, a basketball movie set in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina hit, wants some sort of financial settlement with the show over this issue.
Let's hope Grey's Anatomy retires Burke for good so that we don't have to report about more Washington/Grey's drama in the future because we are starting to sound like a broken record.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-11-2008 @ 8:05PM
R said...
It isn't right for the show to use his picture without getting the OK from him and/or paying him for it. Use the name, but not his likeness, considering they threw him to the wolves last year. I didn't agree with what he did, but not don't "whore" him out for ratings. Just more controversy
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5-11-2008 @ 8:07PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Indeed, they should have obtained permission first. I guess they decided to use it and deal with it later. Maybe they'll say something "but we only said good things about your character in that episode" to try and lower the cost.
5-11-2008 @ 8:15PM
Matthew Fleigle said...
I thought since ABC owned the picture (it is the same one used in DVD artwork) they would not need to get permission.
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5-11-2008 @ 8:17PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
I guess they can use his picture on DVD boxes of seasons he appeared in since he agreed to appear in those episodes.
5-11-2008 @ 9:02PM
bruce said...
The second I saw that picture in the episode I said "lawsuit."
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5-12-2008 @ 12:39PM
ABT said...
When I saw the photo I wondered if the show had any legal obligations, such as royalties, regarding its use. I wondered if they'd have to pay him for using his character in more than a brief verbal way.
This case has the potential to be important to the industry. It's possible that Washington is suing "on principle" to be a dick and to get his name associate with being a d... I mean, with a case that can set a precedent.
That guy has burned so many bridges with that show that the troll population is going extinct (the bridge troll, not the internet troll, which continues to thrive).
What Jen said above makes sense.
5-11-2008 @ 9:14PM
Oreo said...
You own your image, not the network. He is an asshole but it's not right for ABC to use his image.
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5-11-2008 @ 9:36PM
Jen said...
You do own your own likeness, but he also agreed to taking that particular publicity photo. Which means the copyright to that photo are owned by ABC and not him, I believe.
If you give me permission to take your photograph, I can display that photo, use it, sell it in any way, as long as I'm not dishonest about the way I'm planning on using it. (I can't take a photo of you and then use it to sell genital herpes medication...wasn't that on Veronica Mars?) This is, of course, unless the contract states otherwise, I'm sure. But I have a feeling Isaiah is on shakey ground here.
I could be wrong - I'm not a lawyer.
5-11-2008 @ 9:20PM
Bash said...
It sucks so much that they now give him ammunition in the argument who's the asshole in the whole ordeal. I hate it when people who clearly made a mistake can point out that they were wronged too. It diminishes the fact that he is a hater.
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5-11-2008 @ 10:18PM
Matthew Fleigle said...
Well I guess now we do know that he will never be back, EVER.
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5-11-2008 @ 10:51PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
They should make an agreement to pay him for showing that photo and to show it one more time - with his obituary beneath it.
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5-12-2008 @ 12:24AM
Ryan said...
Heh. I was going to say almost the exact same thing.
Basically I wanted to say:
Just throw him money for this little snafu and then kill the character off. Done and done.
5-12-2008 @ 1:39AM
Toby OB said...
Did anybody try a high-def version of that picture? I'd like to know if the fine print reveals the award to be the Cushing Descending Left Arterial Award from 'St. Elsewhere' and 'Chicago Hope'!
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5-12-2008 @ 2:11AM
sean g said...
i hope he comes back to grey's
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5-12-2008 @ 8:25AM
Prhime said...
good for him. he has every right to do so especially the way the breakup/kick-off the show went.
i gave up on this show after second season and first few episodes of s3 then realized the show lost its focus and became a ratings-beggar. it is probably in its last leg
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5-12-2008 @ 11:40AM
Laura said...
i don't even know why they brought that storyline back - be done with it already!! Washington was such an a-hole, why even give him that type of publicity?
The Yang/Burke thing completely slowed down the entire episode...I hated it.
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5-12-2008 @ 12:24PM
dkny said...
good for him - that's what you get for being all PC - he made a tastless joke - boo hoo - people need to get thicker skin - so now he'll get a lot of money for something small and petty
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5-23-2008 @ 11:50AM
chitown said...
Mr. Washington has every right to have something to say about the show using his likeness to promote the show. I think it would be fair for them to pay him for using his picture or at least offer him some guest appearances for compensation.
Mr. Washington has paid for his bad judgment with the words he spoke. He has been publicly ridiculed regarding his remarks. He said something out of character but I don't think it meant he did not like Mr Knight. There should not be a need to drag the situation on and on. Whatever is in the past leave it in the past!!!! You can't keep pinning a person to the stake without looking at your own sins. There is not a person on this earth that does not sin. Enough is enough. Let the man go on with his life and career.
Fairness is fairness! Give the man his money and move on or make a fair deal with him and be done!
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6-14-2008 @ 7:17AM
Jessica said...
We miss Dr. Burke in Greys it wont never be the same without his character. I love to see him again...............Please bring him back!
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