Chilean honey seller hits sticky patch with Gibson

SANTIAGO, CHILE • A pun on the Spanish word for "honey" and the name of one of the world's most famous actors has landed a small-scale Chilean vendor in a sticky situation.

Ms Yohanna Agurto used an image of Mel Gibson from the 1995 movie Braveheart to promote her honey, Miel Gibson (above), along with the slogan "only for the brave".

Last week, she received a letter from the actor's lawyers, saying her use of his name and likeness violated his rights and threatening legal action if she did not withdraw the product immediately.

The letter was signed by an assistant to California-based lawyer Leigh Brecheen.

Ms Brecheen told Reuters the letter was aimed at preventing the use of Gibson's image, not banning the honey's name.

"You need to get permission to use or duplicate a photo still from a film, which is owned by the studio that released the film," she said. "None of this is meant to prevent anyone from earning an income or creating a business, but there are proper channels to contact and clearances you need to go through to make sure you have the approval for such usage."

Ms Agurto told Reuters from her home in the capital, Santiago, that she was so frightened after receiving the letter last Wednesday that she deleted her work e-mail account.

She had started repacking and selling the southern Chilean product only in June after the spread of the coronavirus caused widespread unemployment, she said, adding that she earned only enough to support her family.

"This arose out of necessity. I was left without work due to the pandemic," she said.

After she shared the letter with Chilean media, she said, her following on social media grew "exponentially".

Last Thursday, she addressed an appeal directly to the actor on Twitter: "Dear #MelGibson, would you let us use your image on our honey please? Mis kids and me we would be infinitely grateful. Our honey is only for brave hearts."

Gibson's spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

REUTERS