You would think that someone like Perez Hilton, who makes his living off some of the scandalous things that the paparazzi catch in their camera sights, would have a good relationship with photographers, but he was hit this week with a $7.6 million lawsuit alleging that he's been using photos that he hasn't been authorized to post.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., the real name of Perez Hilton, was named in a November 30th lawsuit filed by X17 Inc. for use of 51 of their client's photographs without authorization. X17 co-owner Brandy Navarre told the paper, "We've had trouble with a lot of bloggers. But he's the biggest, and the most arrogant and pigheaded about it, frankly."

Perez Hilton has repeatedly acted as if he is unrepentant and ignored cease-and-desist letters from seven paparazzi companies. The blogger was on The Howard Stern Show recently and behaved as if the issue wasn't anything to worry about. He told the paper after the lawsuit and in response to Navarre's comment, "If the law says I am wrong, if a jury of my peers says they think my actions are wrong, then I will listen to them. But I don't think they will. Especially if they see that the person who is suing me admitted she is suing me because I'm arrogant. A judge would dismiss that."

Some of the images that X17 alleges that Perez Hilton had no approval to run include one of a pregnant Katie Holmes, Kevin Federline pumping gas, and Britney Spears showing off her new fashion trend of not wearing panties.

Perez Hilton's main argument as to why he should be allowed to use the photos seems to be that he's not really a major site, just a celebrity blogger, but his fame has kind of changed that fact with Playfuls.com reporting that PerezHilton.com draws 3 million readers a month, an impressive total for any kind of website. Just three months into its existence, The Insider named PerezHiltion.com as "Hollywood's Most-Hated Website."

Hilton said, according to Playfuls.com, "I am going to vigorously defend myself. I am willing to step up to the plate and fight for my rights and fight for the rights of all bloggers."

Bryan Freedman, Hilton's attorney added that if the lawsuit succeeds, "the effect would be to eliminate the ability to comment on and transform photographs under the fair-use exception to the Copyright Act."

lol the life of a celeb watcher...

Thank you for posting.

Heather,

You are very welcome. I thought peeps would be interested since this is the guy who posted the much-discussed pic of Lisa, Riley and Ryan.
I think one thing we all agreed on is: the pic should NOT have been taken in the first place since paps weren't supposed to be at the club.
So, tables turning a bit for the guy who posts paps' pix, now they are suing him lol.

ha ha

YAAAY!!! i hope he gets into trouble. ..

yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaa!!!! wwwoohooooooooooooooo!!! I HATE PEREZ-ITES. LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if Mr. Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr knows the definition of KARMA??????

HEE! HEE!

^^^ I think he might soon!!

LJ, I lover your kitty pix!!

lol, thank ya Phoneslinesyererasin...phew!! Hey do ya have a nickname????lmao!! How about..PLYER!!!!!!!! lol

Chick, you are too much. Feel free to call me Playa. I like that. Yo, shout out to LJ straight from the Playa y'all. lol.

very interesting