“Dance Fever” host Deney Terrio has filed suit in a Florida court against Hasbro, Inc., claiming that Vinnie Terrio, an animated gecko and toy figurine, violates his publicity rights, according to legal papers obtained by TheWrap.

The suit contends that Vinnie, a character on the Canadian-American animated TV series “Littlest Pet Shop,” represents a “willful and deliberate use” of Deney’s name, image and likeness without his consent. Among the alleged violations stated in the suit is Deney’s signature dance move, the classic hand-to-hip and finger point made famous by John Travolta in the movie “Saturday Night Fever,” on which Terrio served as choreographer.

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An image used in court documents to illustrate Vinnie performing the dance move appears to be fan art. The papers state that Deney “used this signature move on ‘Dance Fever’ and in almost every appearance he has done since then.”

According to a Wikia description, “Vincent Alfonso ‘Vinnie’ Terrio is a gecko with a talent for dancing.” Lawyers for the plaintiff claim that the rhyming of the first names and identical last names constitute the appearance of an endorsement by the real Terrio. According to court documents, the two even have the same hairstyle.

The documents further claim that “Littlest Pet Shop” story editor Julie McNally Cahill “admitted that Vinnie Terrio is a pun on ‘Deney Terrio’ in a tweet” last April. Products and figures carrying the character’s likeness are available at numerous retailers, as well as in McDonald’s Happy Meals.

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Deney Terrio is something of a disco icon, having hosted the television dance competition “Dance Fever” from 1979 to 1985, just in time for the end of the disco era. Terrio now tours with his live show “The Deney Terrio Dance Party.” He is suing for damages and a share of profits in excess of $75,000 to be determined at trial.

Pamela Chelin also contributed to this report.

17 Best & Worst Grammy Awards Moments (Photos)

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Joan River's Grammy

The late comedienne's legacy lives on. She was posthumously awarded the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Diary of a Mad Diva” in a ceremony prior to Sunday's show. The album is the audio version of the late comedienne’s 12th book.
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WORST

RiRi's Cupcake Catastrophe

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"Natural" Nicki Minaj

Nicki went au-naturel on the red carpet in a fitting black Tom Ford gown, with a plunging but classy neckline and slicked back hair to match. It was a toned down look for the "Anaconda" singer, who has walked the carpet with the Pope by her side at the 54th Grammy Awards
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BEST & WORST

Madonna Moonlight as a Matador, With an Emphasis on Moon

The 56-year-old entertainer looked fabulous in her matador-inspired Givenchy outfit. But as much as we loved to see her arrive on the red carpet, we hated to see her walking away -- because her butt wasn't covered at all!
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WORST

Iggy Azalea's Hair-Don't

Iggy Azalea served in a long blue dress with sheer, geometric cut outs, but her hair? Not so much. The do trended quickly on Twitter with comparisons to a Russian muskrat hat or curled goat horns.
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WORST

Charli XCX Tries to Get too "Fancy"

Charlie XCX isn't known for not playing by the rule, but this time she may have gone a tad too far. The "Boom Clap" singer stepped out on the Grammys red carpet wearing a pink Moschino tuxedo, bow tie and pink fur wrap, which had some fashionistas seeing red.
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BEST

Things That Look Like Other Things

Pharrell looked like a bellhop! Nick Jonas looked like Pee-Wee Herman! Rihanna looked like a shuttlecock! Everyone looked like something else on Sunday.
Twitter
WORST

Social media turns on AC/DC

Good music stays under appreciated. AC/DC fired up the Grammy audience with "Rock or Bust" and "Highway to Hell," but some found it boring. @Haylee_Kitties wrote their performance was a snore fest. False.
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WORST

Pharrell's Humblebrag

Pulling a page, perhaps, from Anne Hathaway's playbook, some felt Pharrell victory speeches were filled with fake humility.
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WORST

Jessie J and Tom Jones' Disaster Duet

The English singer and veteran crooner took on The Righteous Brothers' 1964 hit "You've Got That Loving Feelin'" to some harsh reviews online who thought the performance slowed down the show.
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WORST

Pharrell Hops to It

First, he wore the Arby's hat. Now, he's working at a hotel. The Grammy-winning singer wore a bellhop outfit while performing "Happy." Social media users quickly compared him to "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and Esteban in "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."
Twitter
BEST

Pharrell and His "Happy" Crew Go "Hands Up, Don't Shoot"

Despite the jokes on his bellhop outfit, many praised the "Happy" singer for his subtle "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" gesture onstage. Millions used the phrase as a rally call while protesting a white while protesting recent deaths of at the hands of police officers.
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Grammys Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence

President Barack Obama delivered a powerful PSA against domestic violence at the Grammys, then survivor Brooke Axtella shared her inspiring tale, and finally Katy Perry performed “By the Grace of God."
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Kanye West Nearly Pulls Another Kanye West

The rapper interrupted Beck's acceptance speech for "Best Album of the Year." Many praised the joke unlike in 2009 when West cut Taylor Swift's speech short for Best Female Video at the 2009 VMA's.
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Kristen Wiig Channels Sia.

Singer Sia set the Grammy Awards stage on fire with the help of surprise guest Kristen Wiig. The former “Saturday Night Live” star had audiences in stitches as she channeled Sia during a performance of her hit song, “Chandelier.”
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NEITHER

"Straight Outta Compton"/Suge Knight

The rap mogul's latest tussle with the law resurfaced when Universal Pictures aired a "Straight Outta Compton" ad during the awards show. Knight is currently in jail after he ran over two men - killing one - Jan. 29 during the ad's filming.
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Too Many Ballads

The vast majority of this year's performances were down tempo, which gave the show a sluggish feel, according to some critics. Then again, CBS typically caters to an older, more traditional audience.
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From red carpet mishaps to a somber public service announcement, TheWrap chooses the high and low notes from music’s biggest night

BEST

Joan River's Grammy

The late comedienne's legacy lives on. She was posthumously awarded the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Diary of a Mad Diva” in a ceremony prior to Sunday's show. The album is the audio version of the late comedienne’s 12th book.

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