A mom that had difficulty breastfeeding her own child, took on the task of showing other moms how to do it in an instructional video that she thought would only be seen by other parents. However, when a Google search of her name and her child's name led to a porn site, she was compelled to file a personal injury lawsuit, as reported by ABC News and others.
M.A.S., 35, is suing Iowa-based production company, Meredith Corporation, for allowing her video to be used by a third party. The instructional video was made for the broadcasting company, Parents TV.
M.A.S. told reporters, "I didn't get paid to do this. I didn't want to be some sort of celebrity. I did this to help other moms."
According to M.A.S, a producer with the broadcasting company assured her that the video would only list first names.
There was a document that M.A.S. was asked to sign when the taping was over. She claims that because she was trying to hang on to her month-old daughter at the time she was unable to read the paperwork prior to signing off on it.
The suit states that the release M.A.S. signed served to allow the company to release her "image, voice and name."
Months after the experience M.A.S. searched her name, and the name of her baby, on Google. She was stunned to see that both of their names linked to many porn sites and videos.
Clicking through one site she saw that her video had been spliced – with a woman that had "similar features and stature" used in her place. According to the lawsuit, the edited video depicted sexual acts.
Of her newfound discovery, M.A.S. said, "It was terrifying. It was like I can't even control my life and it was spiraling out of control."
The lawsuit states that M.A.S.'s full first and last names were used in the video, and that was how she was able to locate them through the Google search engine. Furthermore, the video wasn't just on Parents TV and cable channels – it could also be watched on YouTube.
The lawsuit seeks that the defendants be prohibited from using the video for any purpose, and that the defendants cover her attorney fees.
Originally M.A.S. contacted the production company, and they, in turn, said they would help find whoever was responsible for leaking the video. However, their efforts failed to produce anything and M.A.S. felt that they had lost interest in helping her.
M.A.S. contends that even after the initial videos were removed, they continued to creep back onto the Internet.
For their part, Meredith Corporation has stated that they are "appalled" that the video was misused. They have provided "good-faith efforts" in hiring lawyers to file takedown demands and Internet specialist to clear caches.
A statement from Meredith read, "We have taken these actions even though Ms. (M.A.S.) signed a full release for herself and her daughter."
M.A.S. added, "I never want this to happen again" and hopes that filing the lawsuit will help to increase Internet protections.
In this unique case of personal injury, the victim is seeking only minor damages. If you have a similar case, or one with more far-reaching damages, contact a personal injury lawyer to file your lawsuit today!