Bela G. Lugosi

Bela G. Lugosi also known as Bela Lugosi, Jr. (b. 1938) is the son of Bela Lugosi. A California attorney, his legal actions in "Lugosi v. Universal Pictures", led to the creation of the California Celebrities Rights Act. He was an executive at Comedy III Productions, which owned the licensing rights to the Three Stooges. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Friedemann O’Brien Goldberg & Zarian Names Bela G. Lugosi Of Counsel |url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/bela021402.htm |quote=But an appeals court overturned that decision and finally in 1979, the California Supreme Court, in Lugosi v. Universal Pictures, ruled that Lugosi did not inherit any rights that Universal Pictures infringed. It said the Lugosi name and likeness could not pass on to the actor’s heirs, since the right of publicity died with Lugosi. However, the California Assembly passed a “Celebrities Rights Act” in 1985 which said that rights of publicity survive the celebrity’s death and descend to heirs by wills, among other means. |publisher=Metropolitan News-Enterprise |date= |accessdate=2008-04-20 ] [cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_31_15/ai_55553474/pg_1 |title=A Rose Is Still a Rose ... Unless It's Been Licensed - growth in marketing if licensed products - includes article on poll about greatest US achievement in 20th century |accessdate=2008-04-20 |quote=Lugosi and the Stooges are represented by Los Angeles-based Comedy III Productions, which handles requests for merchandise or other tie-ins. "Lugosi as Dracula created a whole new genre in American film," says his son, Bela G. Lugosi, now a lawyer who owns the rights to his dad's name. "His image is recognized around the world." Lugosi also specializes in the representation of other heirs who seek protection from manufacturers who illegally profit from famous names. |publisher=Bnet ]

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