Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Marilyn Monroe's Estate Wants To Stop Marilyn Hologram

2012_06_tupacmari.jpg

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

After Tupac Shakur performed at Coachella via hologram, the jokes started about an all-hologram line-up. But Digicon Media has been planning a hologram Marilyn Monroe concert—and her estate is not happy!

The Marilyn Monroe Estate is threatening legal action against Digicon. Digicon says it has had the copyright to a "Virtual Marilyn" since 1996, while the Estate says it is "sole and exclusive holder of Marilyn Monroe's personality and identity rights and rights." Thetwo parties are embroiled in a back-and-forth (making some lawyers very happy) where Digicon points out that Monroe's legal residence at the time of her death was in New York, where there are not generous publicity rights for celebrities, and the Estate questions Digicon's quality of work, calling the company's Marilyn a "crudely animated character."

For some "real" Marilyn Monroe, you can see the Forever Marilyn status in Palm Springs, where it's been more welcome than in Chicago. Or check out the special exhibit that's open at the Hollywood Museum.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today