Oscar Magrini awarded damages over unauthorized image use

Actor Oscar Magrini has received a favorable court decision requiring the City of São Vicente, located on the coast of São Paulo, to pay R$ 50,000 in material damages. The ruling follows an 11-year legal battle regarding the unauthorized use of his image on 2015 property tax (IPTU) payment slips.

The dispute originated after Magrini was hired to portray the historical figure Martim Afonso de Sousa in a local theatrical production. While he had authorized the use of his photograph for promoting the performance, the city used the image on official tax documents without permission.

Following a previous ruling for moral damages, the current decision by the São Vicente Public Treasury Court addresses material damages. Magrini’s legal team has requested that the payment be processed via precatório, a system for government debt settlement. Including interest, monetary correction, and legal fees, the total requested amount is estimated at approximately R$ 193,000.

The City of São Vicente stated it will comply with the judicial decision, noting that the unauthorized use occurred during a previous administration.