I’m talking about the guy with the teeth and the “Mom” ads. I understand stock photos that people have sold the rights to, but lately, including here on the main page, is one of French newscaster Mellisa Theuriau, known for her striking good looks.
This is a link to one of the ads, although the same photos are used for other products as well.
I have a hard time believing that someone as well known as she is would have signed away the rights to her image to a stock photography place, and I doubt the Acai berry people are paying her each time her image is used. The photos also appear to be taken from actual newscasts, so the network she works for would have an interest as well.
Why is it that allows this one famous French person to have her image used in ads all over the web, but not others? I don’t think this would go over with Thierry Heny or Tony Parker.
That seems kinda dumb, as it’s easier to get them on copyright infringement than fraud. All it takes is one celeb who wants to defend their image to send a signal to everyone else.
Is it possibly a look-a-like? I swear one of those banner ad photos is just Jake Gyllenhaal with a mountain man beard. But it’s probably just a look-a-like.
I think they’ve just googled ‘teeth’ and stole/used any and every image they could find for the banners - the images don’t particularly match the product being offered - sure, they show teeth, but the product is some tooth whitening snake-oil - the images show veneers being applied, pills being taken and in-mouth LED devices for raves.
Does this mean NO ONE who owns (or IS) the images has noticed this yet? I doubt it. Or threatened to sue them? Unlikely. Or at least sent them a cease-and-desist letter? Hard to believe.
Unless no one can find them… but the ad costs must come from somewhere.
I also recall seeing a mention of someone finding an ad, something about happy couples/vacationing, and the couple pictured had recently died in a horrible car wreck or something. I tried to find it, but no luck.
