So you got arrested. Your police mug shot is awful. But can others make money off the embarrassing photo?
In 2005, West Virginia man Patrick Tribett was booked for paint huffing. The mug shot (below) shows the 45-year-old's face partially covered with gold spray paint.
The shot became a Web hit, and companies plastered a likeness on T-shirts and mugs for sale online.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in.Now, Tribett is suing.
Smoking Gun: While uncomfortable with this exposure, Tribett is focusing on firms that have placed his photo on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and other items offered for sale.
His attorney, H. John Rogers, is reportedly preparing federal lawsuits against several companies that have sold merchandise featuring Tribett's photo, including Amazon.com, Cafe Press, and Hot Toys, a Chinese manufacturer.
Here's the original photo, via The Smoking Gun:
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