Paris Hilton sues Hallmark over waitress card

Paris Hilton poses for the media as she arrives at the Playing For Good Foundation Philanthropic 2007 ceremony in Palma de Mallorca September 1, 2007. Hilton has filed a lawsuit against Hallmark Cards, claiming it used her likeness without permission on a greeting card entitled ''Paris's First Day as a Waitress.''

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Socialite Paris Hilton has filed a lawsuit against Hallmark Cards, claiming it used her likeness without permission on a greeting card entitled "Paris's First Day as a Waitress."

Hilton, 26, is suing for an injunction against the U.S. greeting card company and for damages in excess of $100,000, according to the suit filed late on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards said the card was part of a satirical series that parodied celebrities and politicians.

According to the lawsuit, Hilton's face is superimposed over a cartoon of a waitress serving food to a patron with the dialogue "Don't touch that, it's hot. What's hot? That's hot."

It says the card was selling in the United States for $2.49.

The suit says that Hallmark failed to obtain approval from the hotel heiress for using her image and had damaged her rights to privacy and publicity.

"These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding ... public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton's rights," Hallmark said in a statement.

Hilton gained notoriety in 2003 when a home video of her having sex with her boyfriend was posted on the Internet. In June, she made international headlines when she was sent to jail on a driving violation, released early and then sent back to complete a 23-day sentence.