Tina Turner files lawsuit against German company promoting tribute show with a look-alike performer

Legendary American singer Tina Turner has filed a lawsuit against a German company in an attempt to stop it from promoting a tribute show with her name and a look-alike performer. The 81-year-old argues that Cofo Entertainment using her name and likeness to promote the show could make people believe she has something to do with its production, DW reported.

The show in question is titled “Simply The Best — The Tina Turner Story”. And it features a Tina Turner doppelgänger by the name Dorothea “Coco” Fletcher.

Turner’s case was heard by the German Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe on Thursday. The Cologne Regional Court had initially ruled in favor of the What’s Love Got to Do With It singer, but her claim was later dismissed by the Cologne Higher Regional Court following an appeal by Cofo Entertainment.

It is now up to the German Federal Court of Justice to decide if one’s image rights supersede the freedom to create. The judge presiding over the case, Thomas Koch, said establishing likeness isn’t solely based on facial similarities but also postures and clothing in imagery.

And though Koch said he somewhat sided with the Cologne Higher Regional Court’s ruling, he emphasized his preliminary opinion won’t determine the outcome of the case, DW reported.

But Kerstin Schmitt, who is Turner’s lawyer, questioned whether using Turner’s image and likeness was indeed for artistic purposes. Schmitt insinuated it was for commercial endeavors.

“She would like to decide when her name and image are used for commercial purposes,” Schmitt added. Cofo Entertainment’s lawyer, however, said fans who would patronize a tribute show of such nature would expect the lead singer to look like Tina Turner.

The court is scheduled to decide on the case in February 2022.