‘Hangover 2’ tattoo lawsuit over Mike Tyson-style ink is settled

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The ‘Hangover’ tattoo copyright dispute has been settled out of federal court, with the studio and tattoo artist both saving a little face regarding the Mike Tyson-inspired ink that’s plastered on the face of the character played by Ed Helms in ‘The Hangover Part 2.’

Warner Bros. and tattoo artist S. Victor Whitmill, who said he owned the copyright to Tyson’s 2003 face-tat design, amicably resolved their dispute Monday, a studio spokesman said. He offered no further details. Whitmill filed his federal lawsuit on April 28 in his current home state, Missouri.

The facial tattoo was cast in a key role in ‘The Hangover Part 2’: Helms’ character Stu, the dentist who lost a tooth in ‘The Hangover,’ wakes up freshly inked in a Bangkok bathtub in the sequel. The tatted Tyson appears in both films.

Whitmill’s complaint alleging his art had been used without his permission failed to keep the film out of theaters, with a judge deciding two days before the May 26 opening date that the show could go on.

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-- Christie D’Zurilla

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Left photo: Mike Tyson in real life.

Right photo: Ed Helms in a poster for ‘The Hangover Part 2.’ Credit: Warner Bros.