Why Would an Insurance Company Sue America’s Sweetheart?

Maybe you saw the news headlines, “Sandra Bullock Sued by Insurance Company”. It sounds like a scandal, but don’t get too excited. The suit has has very little to do with Sandra Bullock herself.

Italian “Sandra Bullock Watches”

An Italian watchmaker (Toywatch) has been selling watches using Sandra’s name, without her authorization. The watches look like the white ceramic-plastic watch her character wore in the movie “The Blind Side“. Sandra didn’t appreciate their use of her name and likeness without her permission, so she sued them to get them to stop.

Sued by the Insurer

Enter Toywatch’s insurance company. Because Toywatch’s insurer might have to reimburse them for damages if they lose the case (of course the insurer doesn’t want THAT), they filed suit against Sandra and the watchmaker early, to see if they can avoid being held responsible altogether. It sounds dramatic, but in fact, this is a fairly standard strategic move by an insurer. The suit has nothing to do with Sandra Bullock or the validity of her case. So you can stop panicking. She’s still America’s Sweetheart.