The justice of Rio de Janeiro sentenced Xuxa Promoções e Produções, the company of Xuxa Meneghel, to pay more than R$ 65 million for the misappropriation of characters created by a businessman from Minas Gerais.
The perpetrator of the action, publicist Leonardo Soltz, claims that the characters of “A Turma do Cabralzinho”, which he created to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil, were copied in a project by the Xuxa company, which would have made profits and history allows it.
According to the lawsuit, Leonardo Soltz had meetings with the Xuxa team in 1998 and 1999 to discuss the characters. But instead of concluding a deal, Xuxa’s company allegedly appropriated the characters he created to launch the “Turma da Xuxinha Discovering Brazil”.
The presenter’s launch was a success and “Turma da Xuxinha” closed the license for a line of children’s cosmetics. The product has also morphed into comic books and stuffed animals.
The process has been ongoing since 2004. According to G1, the parties have already tried to reach an agreement, without success.
The BRL 65 million calculation took into account the magazine’s circulation and the reproduction of character images in other products, as well as other publications, which were used as a reference.
The expert appointed to determine the amount claims that the duration of the dispute, 19 years, has increased the amount due.
The defense of Xuxa Promoções e Produções tried to underline the expert’s suspicion, rejected by Judge Flávia Viveiros de Castro, of the 6th Civil Court, in Barra da Tijuca, west of Rio.
In the trial, the judge states: “The defendant uses unethical maneuvers, raising the suspicion of the expert, who is a suitable professional, who works for this Court and for others of this E. Court, without his professional integrity ever being questioned”.
The decision can still be appealed, but if Xuxa does not appeal in court, the assets can be seized.
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Source: Terra
Jason Root is a writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth coverage of famous people in entertainment, sports, and politics. He has a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines and bringing readers an inside look at the lives of the famous. He has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Journalism from UC Berkeley.
