Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: April 1, 2015
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comHe’s not making them up either. The main villain the in the Russian-language rework “Neulovimye” (Uncatchable) is named Sergei Polyansky. The character is a wealthy businessman, according to the Moscow Times, who, after hitting a young woman with his car in the streets of Moscow, flees rather than sticking around.
The similarities don’t stop at the name and the occupation either. The filmmakers didn’t forget to add Polonsky’s distinctive curly locks to the head of their villain Polyansky, if they did indeed base their villain off of the Russian tycoon. Though he isn’t known to have fled the scene of an accident involving a young woman in Moscow, Polonsky does have a checkered legal history to say the least, and currently is reported to reside in Cambodia, a nation without an extradition agreement with his native Russia, where he is currently in some legal trouble of his own.
While Polonsky didn’t make it clear what he intends to sue for exactly, these kinds of cases have come up plenty of times in the past. For instance, years ago an Iraq War veteran filed charges after claiming Jeremy Renner’s character in “The Hurt Locker” was based on his likeness.
The veteran, Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver, claimed that the “misappropriation” of his name and likeness was a violation of his “right of publicity.” This term describes an individual’s right to control his or her name, image, likeness and other features of a person’s identity. A lawsuit over “right of publicity” generally requires the use of an individual’s name or likeness for commercial gain without his or her permission. Sarver’s case has been dismissed and appealed, but his is also slightly different than the lawsuit Polonsky intends to file.
The character’s name in “The Hurt Locker” was Sergeant First Class William James. However, Sarver did note that other events from his life were used in the movie – both he and the character from the movie worked with units tasked with discovering and disarming explosives in Iraq. Ultimately, his case was dismissed because the movie was considered a “transformative work.” Ultimately, due to the importance of the movie, the First Amendment rights of the film’s creators won out.
The situation regarding similarities between the real Polonsky and the movie character Polyansky are slightly different than Sarver’s case. Similarities between the tycoon and movie villain seem much more obvious. And though Sarver was profiled and featured in publications prior to The Hurt Locker, Polonsky seems to have a bit more long-standing celebrity than he. One thing is for sure. Don’t base any films off Polonsky in the future unless they’re sure to be transformative.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Special purpose acquisition companies (better known as SPACs) appear to be making a comeback. SPAC offerings for 2025 have already nearly surpassed last year’s totals, with additional transactions in the pipeline. SPACs last experienced a boom between 2020–2021, with approximately 600 U.S. companies raising a record $163 billion in 2021. Notable companies that went public […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Merging two companies is a complex legal and business transaction. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process that involves important corporate governance considerations. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process. However, […]
Author: Dan Brecher
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
Author: Scott H. Novak
On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!