By Erika Icon
YNOT – MaryAnn Sahoury never expected her attempt to help other new mothers learn to breastfeed their infants would sexually arouse anyone. Now the Fair Lawn, NJ, woman is suing the company that filmed and distributed an educational video in which she appeared.
When Sahoury had trouble nursing her newborn in December 2009, she turned to a lactation specialist for help. A month later, she was asked to appear speak on-camera about her experience and demonstrate nursing techniques. Sahoury agreed to participate free of charge, hoping the video would help others who experienced similar difficulties.
A year later, she googled her name and received a rude surprise: Several links led to porn and tube sites where she discovered an adulterated version of the educational video. She said she was horrified to learn some of the links mentioned her full legal name and her daughter’s.
Sahoury said Iowa-based marketing company Meredith Corp., which produced the video, promised that only first names would be associated with the footage. Furthermore, she alleges the company told her the video would be aired on only a website devoted to new parents and cable TV. After taping wrapped, she signed a release without reviewing it, because she didn’t expect the document to contain anything more than what she had discussed with Meredith Corp. representatives.
Her lawsuit accuses Meredith Corp. of fraud, misrepresentation and negligence.
Meredith Corp. responded to the lawsuit saying it is “appalled” that the video was misused, but the release Sahoury signed allows Meredith to associate full names with the video and grants the company immunity from “any and all claims.” The company not only has pulled the video from all of its sites and its YouTube channel, but also hired lawyers to file takedown demands and internet specialists to clear online caches.
Sahoury said the company’s efforts aren’t enough. She worries the pornified version will follow her and her daughter for the rest of their lives because of the persistence of internet content.
A federal judge in New Jersey ruled the case may proceed. Trial is scheduled to begin before the end of the year.
