Landmark Case: Hilton vs. Hallmark

Send consolation cards to Paris Hilton c/o the Dewey, Cheatham and Howe law firm Beverly Hills 90210

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Paris Hilton is suing over the use of her picture and catchphrase ''That's hot'' on a greeting card.

Hilton sued Hallmark Cards Inc. in U.S. District Court seeking an injunction and unspecified damages to be determined at trial.

According to the lawsuit filed Thursday, the card is titled ''Paris's First Day as a Waitress'' and shows a photo of Hilton's face on a cartoon of a waitress serving a plate of food to a patron. In a dialogue bubble she says, ''Don't touch that, it's hot.'' The customer cartoon asks, ''What's hot?'' She answers, ''That's hot.''

The suit says Hilton owns the trademark ''That's hot,'' which was registered on Feb. 13, 2007.

Hallmark defended the card as parody, which is normally protected under fair-use law.

''Some of Hallmark's new humor greeting cards are parodies of today's most popular celebrities and politicians,'' said Hallmark spokeswoman Julie O'Dell in an e-mailed statement.

''These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding these public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton's rights,'' she said. "Hey that's MY idea - I'm suing. That's not cool."