Carmen Elektra, other models sue area strip clubs, nightclub over use of their photos

The trademark infringement lawsuits were filed Thursday in federal court against Ambis 1 NightClub in Raleigh, Capital Cabaret in Morrisville, Victoria’s Cabaret and Secrets Cabaret in Fayetteville, Cave Gentlemen’s Club in Jacksonville and Cherry’s Gentlemen’s Club in Havelock.

According to the lawsuits, all of the establishments, except Ambis 1, are strip clubs.

The models allege that the clubs "misappropriated and intentionally altered" their photos "to make it appear that they worked at, endorsed or were otherwise associated or affiliated" with the clubs. The photos came from the models' social media pages or other copyrighted sources, according to the lawsuits.

"No Plaintiff has ever received any remuneration for Defendant’s improper and illegal use of their Images, and Defendant’s improper and illegal use of Plaintiffs’ Images have caused each Plaintiff to suffer substantial monetary damages and harm to reputation," the lawsuits state.

The models are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, along with a court order barring the clubs from continuing to use their images.

The followingn models are plaintiffs in one or more of the lawsuits: Rosa Acosta, Jessica Burciaga, Monica Leigh Burkhardt, Paola Canas, John Coulter, Kim Cozzens, Camila Davalos, Mariana Davalos, Carmen Elektra, Clark Florian, Brenda Geiger, Cielo Jean "CJ" Gibson, Jesse Golden, Tiffany Toth Gray, Jessa Hinton, Krystal Forscutt Hipwell, Laurie Fetter Jacobs, Rachel Koren, Nikki Leigh, Jaime Edmondson Longoria, Ursula Mayes, Dessie Mitcheson, Kara Monaco, Eva Pepaj, Lucy Pinder, Lina Posada, Abigail Ratchford, Laurie Romeo, Carissa Rosario, Claudia Sampedro, Cora Skinner, Sarah Stage, Rhian Sugden, Denise "Milani" Trlica, Sara Underwood, Sandra Valencia, Katarina van Derham, Irina Voronina and Jennifer Zharinovan.