Hulk Hogan Threatens to Sue Over Sex Tape
Hulk Hogan is reportedly threatening to sue the website Gawker for posting a minute-long clip of his alleged sex tape online. The Hulk Hogan sex tape has been rumored to be in existence for some time, but it was not until yesterday that the video hit the Internet.
Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, does not appear to deny the authenticity of the sex tape, but instead says that the video was taken without his knowledge or permission, reports TMZ.
The celebrity gossip site also reports that Hogan's lawyers are currently drafting a cease-and-desist letter, and that the pro wrestler will sue Gawker and anyone else who posts the tape online.
Earlier this year, the Hulk Hogan sex tape was reportedly being shopped around to the highest bidder, writes TMZ. In an effort to attract the highest bidder, screen grabs were also released earlier this year, but the video still remained under wraps.
Perhaps because there was not enough "Hulkamania" in a sex tape featuring a nearly 60-year-old pro wrestler, the tape was eventually leaked for free.
Gawker allegedly obtained the tape from an anonymous source without paying a cent, and posted the one-minute preview (the whole sex tape couldn't have lasted for just one minute, could it?).
Usually, a celebrity sex-tape controversy does not garner too much sympathy. Oftentimes, it appears that the celebrity releases the tape intentionally to gain notoriety (see Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian). And with the viral nature of hackers and the Internet, you just have to assume there's a good chance the video will eventually leak.
However, in Hulk Hogan's case, he seems to be claiming that he had no knowledge that he was being filmed. If this were the case, he could have a legitimate claim for invasion of privacy. If you remember the outrage over Erin Andrews' peeping Tom, Hogan would likely claim the secretly recorded sex tape was even more invasive.
Related Resources:
- Hulk Hogan fights sex tape leak (USA Today)
- J.Lo Honeymoon 'Sex Tape' Blocked by Restraining Order (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Paris Hilton Sex Tape Lawsuit: Internet Downloaders Sued (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)