Paris allowed to sue Hallmark over unauthorised image use

A California court has allowed Paris Hilton to pursue a lawsuit against 'Hallmark' over claims that the greeting cards manufacturer used her image without her consent.

The socialite is alleging that the company used her snap and her catchphrase, That's Hot! on a card that read 'Paris's First Day as a Waitress.'

Paris claims the card reflects a scene from her hit reality TV show 'The Simple Life' and is taking the firm to the court, reports Contactmusic.

Judges at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals gave the hotel heiress the opportunity to go ahead with the case, turning down Hallmark executives' claims that the cartoon on the card was of a generic woman and not Hilton.

Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain said: "The basic setting is the same: we see Paris Hilton, born to privilege, working as a waitress. (Hilton) has at least some probability of prevailing on the merits before a trier of fact."