Audrey Hepburn’s Son Wins Lawsuit Against Chinese Restaurant

Sixth Tone ^ | 10/28/2025 | Chen Yiru Posted on by simpson96 Guests have frequented an Audrey Hepburn-themed restaurant chain in the eastern city of Suzhou since 2014. Now, Hepburn’s son has won a lawsuit against the restaurant for its unauthorized use of his mother’s likeness. On Friday, a Suzhou court publicly released its decision affirming a lower court ruling in favor of Luca Dotti, one of two sons of late British actress Audrey Hepburn, in a rare move by a Chinese court recognizing the personality rights of deceased celebrities and their families. Operating under the name “Angel’s Hepburn Time Restaurant,” the business featured Hepburn’s face and name on its signage, website, and promotional materials. The court ordered the restaurant to cease use of Hepburn’s image, full name, issue a public apology, and pay 200, 000 yuan ($27,600) in compensation. As of publication, the chain continues to use the actress’s name in its listings on Dazhong Dianping, a Chinese app similar to Yelp. Dotti had initially sought 1 million yuan in damages and 118, 000 yuan in legal costs, arguing that the restaurant’s actions harmed his mother’s dignity and his rights as her heir. During the trial, the restaurant ceased using Hepburn’s portrait, but left “Hepburn” in its name. It argued that personality rights expire at death, and that Dotti lacked standing to sue. The restaurant also claimed that its use of the name was not defamatory and that the voluntary cessation of Hepburn’s image should shield it from liability. The court disagreed, holding that a person’s name and likeness remain protected after death and that economic benefits tied to those rights may be inherited by close relatives. Long-term use of “Hepburn” on signage and branding thus constituted infringement. The judgment underscores a broader legal principle: for well-known public figures, the commercial value of their names and images does not vanish with death. The court framed the case as a “representative case” in protecting posthumous personality rights. The ruling drew attention on Chinese social media, where many applauded the ruling and saw it as a landmark case in strengthening rights protection. In one popular comment online, a netizen remarked, “This shop has been around for many years, and it is not cheap. An apology, plus 200, 000 yuan? Hilarious.” Another wrote, “It’s too little compensation.” TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food KEYWORDS: Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC PO Box 9771 Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. 1 posted on by simpson96 Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by.
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