The late Whitney Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown and the estate of daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown are suing Showtime, BBC and the producers of a Whitney Houston documentary entitled, “Can I Be Me? ”
The Brown family is seeking $2 million in damages for their inclusion in the film, as well as a permanent injunction, according to documents filed in New York federal court Wednesday. Houston’s ex is citing misappropriated publicity rights and violation of the Lanham Act in his complaint.
“The film contains footage that Brown and BKB has never consented to have released,” the complaint states. “Brown and BKB appear in the film for a substantial period of time, in excess of thirty (30) minutes. The footage was actually recorded prior to the divorce in 2007 between Brown and Houston. Brown never signed or executed a release for the airing of the material that appears in the film. The footage of Brown is approximately fifteen (15) years old.”
Brown is also suing B2 Entertainment, a dissolved company that collaborated with Brown’s company on the short-lived Bravo reality series “Being Bobby Brown,” for breach of contract. Brown claims B2 provided footage from the show to the producers of “Can I Be Me?” without obtaining written consent, a stipulation in their agreement.
Showtime and BBC both declined TheWrap’s request for comment on the lawsuit.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.