After actress Eja and model Zahnita Wilson, two more celebrities have filed suits against Gulatis Exclusive Sdn Bhd for using pictures of them on banners for purposes of promoting the company without their authorisation.

NONE Today, actor Tony Eusoff ( left ), whose real name is Anthony Joseph Anak Hermas Rajiman, and model Diana Johor (real name Diana Johor Zainal Abidin) filed suits seeking general damages of RM500,000 each from Gulatis.

Tony, 33, and Diana, 29, who were present in court, filed their suits at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry this afternoon through the law firm of Messrs AR Effande & Partners.

In their statements of claim, both of them denied giving Gulatis permission to use their pictures in the banners.

They further claimed that Gulatis had been using pictures of them for promotion purposes since 2008 without their knowledge.

They said as a result of the company's action, they felt their rights had been violated and misused in the interest of the company.

Tony and Diana said they came to know about the use of their pictures by the company when informed by friends on Sept 24, 2009 and verified this for themselves when they made a visit to Gulatis' business premises four days later.

On Feb 19, 2009, they sent notices through their lawyers to Gulatis' management seeking compensation but did not get any reply.

NONE The duo said they suffered losses in terms of income from royalty payments or adequate compensation because the pictures were used for advertisements by the company.

Besides the RM500,000 damages, the duo are also seeking exemplary damages, interest at eight per cent per annum, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Asked why the delay in filing the suit despite their knowing the matter since 2008, lawyer Ahmad Rizal Effande, who is representing both Tony and Diana, said it was because they needed to collect evidence pertaining to the case first.

On Dec 9, 2009, Gulatis was ordered to pay RM20,000 to Eja whose real name is Siti Sharizah Saifuddin, 37 after the Sessions Court ruled that the company had breached an oral agreement with the actress pertaining to the use of her pictures in its posters and advertisements.

Two days later, Zahnita (real name Zahnita Dorothy Hussein Wilson) filed a RM2 million suit against the same company for using her pictures for promotion purposes without her authoristion.

The court has yet to set a date to hear the case.

- Bernama