Mar 16, 2007 7:05 am US/Eastern
Carol Burnett Sues Fox Over 'Family Guy' Portrayal
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Comedian Carol Burnett sued 20th Century Fox Thursday over a portrayal of one of her signature characters on an episode of "Family Guy."
Burnett's copyright infringement lawsuit, which is seeking more than $2 million in damages, states the show's creators did not have her consent to include her cleaning woman character -- known as the Charwoman -- in an April 2006 episode.
In the episode, the Charwoman is the maid in a pornography shop. The segment also incorporated an "altered version" of Burnett's theme music, and the characters in the show perform Burnett's signature ear tug, her suit states.
In addition to her copyright infringement claim, Burnett, 73, alleges 20th Century Fox violated her publicity rights.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles.
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