VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Circuit Judge Frederick B. Lowe has ordered that Girls Gone Wild producer Joseph Francis immediately stop producing new copies of the video Girls Gone Wild: The Seized Videos in response to a legal challenge from two Virginia Beach women, Aimee Davalle and Debbie Aficial, who are featured in the video and in its marketing.The two women agreed to participate in the filming of the videos in exchange for special considerations at a local event, but Francis failed to obtain the written permission of the women to use their images for commercial purposes, a requirement under Virginia law according to the women’s attorney, Kevin E. Martingayle.
The order does not prohibit the sale of video tapes or DVDs that have already been produced.
“We are happy that Judge Lowe enforced the law,” Martingayle said.
While standing in line at a local event, Davalle was approached by Francis, who offered to help the women skip the long line. Davalle accepted Francis’ offer and brought along two friends, one of which was Aficial. The women soon agreed to “go wild” for Francis’ camera, but did not sign a model release authorizing the commercial use of the footage. They later appeared in a Girls Gone Wild video release, and Davalle was featured on the cover.
The two women are seeking damages. The first case is scheduled for trial in June.
