After photographs of Scarlett Johansson showed up on the internet earlier this week, she has stated she will take legal action against anyone posting the pictures.
Her attorney, Marty Singer, issued letters to websites which have the photographs up, and has stated they must take them down, as well as that they are “stolen copyright protected private photographs,”, according to the September 15th mtv.com article, “Scarlett Johansson Seeks Legal Action Over Nude Photo Leak”.
Websites included TheDirty and MediaTakeOut.
In one photograph, Johannson appears topless, and in aonther, her front is covered by a towel, with her buttocks showing, in a mirror. According to the mtv.com article, Singer’s statement says: “The highly personal and private photographs at issue capture our client self-posing in her own home in a state of undress and/or topless. If you fail to comply, you will be acting at your own peril. Please govern yourselves accordingly.”
Also according to the mtv.com article, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller was quoted as saying: “The FBI is investigating a person or group responsible for a series of cyber intrusions of high-profile figures. This would include many devices — could mean a computer, desktop, laptop, iPad, cell phone … intrusions into personal online accounts too.”
Johansson is among a group of other celebrities apparently targeted by a hacking ring that was able to gain access to personal information. The other celebrities include Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Alba, and Demi Lovato.
According to the September 15th eonline.com article, “Scarlett Johansson Really, Really Doesn’t Want You to See Her Naked Pics!”, website founder of TheDirty Nik Richie was quoted as saying: “I got a threat letter. It basically said if you keep those pictures on your website, I am going to go after you to the fullest extent and pretty much sue your ass. They were pretty serious about this thing.” He also added: “I’ve been through this a lot and, usually, I am pretty victorious. [But] she got hacked. And she is really serious about her privacy. She took the pictures. And, I don’t know, but for some reason I took them down.”
According to the September 30, 2010 cnn.com article, ” ‘Mad Dog Marty’ barks at the tabloids”, TMZ creator Harvey Levin was quoted as saying: “When Marty calls, you listen. I’m not scared of him at all. I respect him.”
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress and singer, who has appeared in films including Iron Man 2, North, Manny & Lo, The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World.
Johansson released her first album, Anywhere I Lay My Head in May 2008, and a second album Break Up, with Pete Yorn, in September 2009.