John W. Carson D/b/a/ Johnny Carson Johnny Carson Apparel, Inc. v. Here's Johnny Portable Toilets, Inc.

In an earlier published opinion, Carson v. Here’s Johnny Portable Toilets, Inc., 698 F.2d 831 (6th Cir.1983), this court held that under Michigan law Johnny Carson, one of the plaintiffs herein, has a “right of publicity” in the phrase “Here’s Johnny.” This case was remanded to the district court, 498 F.Supp. 71, for a determination of appropriate relief, the defendant having improperly exploited the phrase to its own advantage and to the plaintiff’s detriment. Upon remand the district court enjoined the defendant from using the phrase anywhere in the country and awarded $31,661.96 in…