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A Christchurch man is negotiating with Playboy Enterprises to try to avoid a hefty lawsuit after the American company accused him of illegally using its trademarks at a charity event.
The lawsuit has been filed in the New Zealand courts against Craig Douglas, who organised a Playboy Ball in Christchurch in September that drew celebrities such as All Black Byron Kelleher.
The ball raised $20,000 for children's charities such as Koru Care.
Mr Douglas contacted Playboy before the event and understood he was allowed to use the name made famous by sex mogul Hugh Hefner and Playboy magazine. Mr Douglas even invited Mr Hefner to the ball, but did not receive a reply.
Playboy sought 25 per cent of the takings, but Mr Douglas refused.
Since then, Playboy had written to Mr Douglas advising him of a lawsuit being brought based on a series of trademark infractions.
A court date has been set down for next week in Christchurch when a telephone conference between the parties is expected to take place.
