Globo ordered to pay damages for unauthorized use of viral video

The Court of Justice of Maranhão has ordered the broadcaster Globo to pay R$ 3,000 in compensation to a truck driver after his image was used without authorization on the program ‘Domingão com Huck’.

The case originated from a video that had previously gone viral on the internet after being filmed by a comedian. Globo argued that because the video was already widely known online, it had effectively become news and did not require further consent for use in an entertainment context. The broadcaster also maintained that the segment was humorous and did not contain derogatory comments.

However, the court rejected these arguments, ruling that a viral video does not constitute public domain. The presiding judge, Sônia Fernandes Ribeiro, emphasized that the image of a private individual used within a commercial entertainment product requires prior and express authorization, regardless of its circulation on social media.