Ending 13 years of litigation, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips has agreed to pay $25 million in damages to Los Angeles businessman Stewart Resnick and his wife, Lynda, in a case that began over trademark and advertising claims related to the late Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales.
The Resnicks once owned The Franklin Mint, which produced a commemorative plate, purse, and porcelain doll using the princess’s likeness after she was killed in a 1997 car crash in Paris. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips sued on behalf of The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund in 1998. The suit accused the Franklin Mint of false advertising and cheapening the princess’ memory. It was dismissed and the Resnicks countersued.
Rob Six, a spokesman for former mint owners Stewart and Lynda Resnick, said that the couple plans to donate the money to charity.
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