Christchurch Playboy Ball worries Hefner

The founder of Playboy magazine Hugh Hefner is worried a planned Christchurch charity ball will tarnish his empire's reputation and wants the event cancelled.

Playboy Ball organiser Craig Douglas has received a letter from lawyers acting on behalf of Playboy Enterprises International saying the ball is breaching Playboy's trademark by using the word "playboy" and by using "bunny themes", The Press reported today.

The ball is a fund-raiser for Koru Care Christchurch, a charitable trust for sick children. It is scheduled for next Saturday.

The letter claimed Mr Douglas was trading off Playboy's reputation and was likely to tarnish this reputation.

Mr Douglas said he was not trying to use the organisation's intellectual property in any way, and that a rabbit-head device could not be patented.

Mr Douglas said he wrote to Playboy eight months ago and got their permission.

"Apparently, the person who wrote back to us had no authorisation to tell us that was OK, but as far as we're concerned, we're covered."

The event is planning for 550 guests, including comedian Mike King, former All Black Marc Ellis, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and former Playboy Bunny Vicky Lee.

Local band Hefner will provide entertainment.

- NZPA