Seven models from around the world say the owners of Heart Breakers used their images in ads and social media without their knowledge or permission.

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AND HEART BREAKERS RIPPED THEM OFF. THE MODELS USED IN THESE HEARTBREAKERS ADS NOW PART OF A FEDERAL LAWSUIT FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. ONE WAS EVEN FROM ENGLAND. THEY’VE NEVER WORKED THERE AND PROBABLY NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT. THEIR IMAGES WERE PLUCKED OFF OF THE WEB AND USED WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE. >> IT IN. EIGHT ME BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND COPYRIGHTS. REPORTER: SHE HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT THE LAWBREAKERS LAWSUIT BUT SAYS MODELS EVERYWHERE HAVE TO FIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR LIVELIHOOD WHICH USE THEIR IMAGE AND LIKENESS. >> THE COMPANY PAYING FOR THE ADVERTISEMENTS ARE PROFITING OFF OF THE MODELS. IF THEY WANT PROFESSIONAL MODELS, THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THEM. THESE GIRLS ARE PROBABLY LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. REPORTER: WE ACTUALLY GAVE THEM A COPY OF THE LAWSUIT BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT SEEN IT YET. >> THEY DID NOT QUESTION WHAT THEY WERE RECEIVING. REPORTER: THE HIRED GRAPHIC ARTISTS AND WERE UNAWARE THE IMAGES WEREN’T LICENSED. >> WE REACHED OUT FOR THE ATTORNEYS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY AND TAKE GREATER CARE IN THE FUTURE GOING FORWARD. JOYCE: HOW DID THE WOMEN KNOW THAT THEY WERE IN THE ADS? REPORTER: IT’S NOT CLEAR BUT THE LAWSUIT HAS SUED A NUMBER OF STRIP CLUBS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

Advertisement Models sue West Allis strip club over use of their images Seven models from around the world say the owners of Heart Breakers used their images in ads and social media without their knowledge or permission. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Seven models from around the world say the owners of Heart Breakers used their images in ads and social media without their knowledge or permission. The women say this is an invasion of privacy, and as models, something the club should have paid them for.A 24-page lawsuit was filed Friday. The models said they're literally in the business of getting paid for their images, and Heart Breakers ripped them off.The models used in Heart Breakers ads never worked there and probably have never even heard of it. The suit claimed their images were simply plucked off the web and used without their knowledge. "It infuriates me because of all the social media and copyrights," said Jane Carey, who runs the John Casablancas Modeling Center in Brookfield. She hadn't heard about the Heart Breakers lawsuit but said models everywhere must fight to protect their livelihood, which is their image and likeness."The company that's paying for these advertisements are actually profiting off the models, so if they want professional models, then they should pay for them, so these girls are probably losing out thousands of dollars," Carey said.WISN 12 News went to Heart Breakers owner Milwaukee Entertainment LLC in Elm Grove and gave it a copy of the lawsuit because the owner hadn't seen it yet. "That's how it came about. They just didn't question what they were receiving," attorney John Fuchs said. The Heart Breakers' attorney said they hired graphic artists for the ads and posts and were unaware the images weren't licensed."Reach out to the attorneys for these young ladies and see what we can do to make everyone happy and take greater care in the future," Fuchs said. The Michigan law firm representing the models has sued other strip clubs all over the country in the past few years. That lawyer told WISN 12 News they can't comment on pending litigation.