Peter Fonda Sues Dolce & Gabbana, Nordstrom for $3 Million Over ‘Easy Rider’ T-Shirts

Actor claims that clothing company used images of him from counterculture film without his permission

Peter Fonda isn't such an easy rider when it comes to his face being slapped on T-shirts.

The "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" star is suing clothing manufacturers Dolce & Gabbana and retail chain Nordstrom, claiming that the companies are unlawfully peddling T-shirts bearing the actor's likeness. Fonda wants $3 million for his trouble.

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Fonda's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, says that Dolce & Gabbana USA "knowingly manufactured, distributed and sold, or licensed for sale" T-shirts bearing images of Fonda from the 1969 counter-cultural movie "Easy Rider" without his permission.

Nordstrom is listed in the suit for allegedly selling the offending clothing.

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Fonda's suit suggests that there could be other allegedly unauthorized items of clothing bearing his likeness.

"At no time did Defendants seek permission from Plaintiff to use his name, likeness and image for commercial purposes on the T-Shirts or any other apparel that Defendants intended to or did manufacture, license, sell, distribute or advertise in any known media," the lawsuit reads.

Nordstrom told TheWrap that the company is "aware of the lawsuit" and is "reaching out to our vendor to determine next steps."

Dolce & Gabbana did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment.

Fonda is asking for compensatory damages "in an amount not less than $3,000,000," plus interest, attorney's fees and punitive damages.

Fonda co-wrote and served as a producer on "Easy Rider," in addition to starring as free-wheeling hippie Wyatt, a/k/a Captain America.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
 

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