Former Disney princess Selena Gomez has filed a lawsuit seeking $10 million from Guangzhou Feidong Software Technology Co., the China-based seller of the virtually reality game “Clothes Forever — Styling Game”, for the theft and misuse of her image.
The pop star, the fifth most followed person on Instagram, came out guns blazing in a suit that claimed that manufacturers of the game, whose copyright is held by British company MutantBox Interactive Limited, were peddling a product that was “bug riddled” and “rated a measly 3.5 stars out of 5” on the App Store.
In the suit, the former Wizards of Waverly Place star claimed that one of the characters in the game was blatantly based on her, something that she did not approve given the steep prices of the in-game purchases that the game sometimes demanded of its users.
The purchase of “diamonds” and virtual shopping trips with celebrities are some of the perks that the game offers, with some purchases costing as much as $99.99.
One of the game’s biggest draws is the chance to interact and share fashion knowledge with pop culture icons, with its official description offering users an opportunity to “interact with the most beautiful models and celebrities; the likes of Kardashian, Gigi, Beyoncé, Taylor, and more (who) will be dropping by and asking for YOUR fashion advise!”
In her suit, Gomez said she disapproved of this.
“Defendants never requested, consulted, or informed Gomez regarding the use of any of her publicity rights in connection with the Game,” part of the suit stated.
“Nor, if asked, would Gomez have consented to such use for the Game, which apparently relies on the unsavory practice of luring its users to make in-game purchases in amounts as much as $99.99 to fund imaginary spending in the Game and unlock features.”
Gomez’s image rights are some of the most valuable in Hollywood, as she is estimated to make as much as $800,000 per sponsored post on Instagram. Last year, Forbes estimated that the 27-year-old former Disney starlet was worth $87 million.
