Ad model faces counter lawsuit

JAKARTA (JP): A German-Indonesian joint venture cosmetic company has filed a counter lawsuit at the South Jakarta District Court against an advertisement model over her statements about the firm.

The company's lawyer Teguh Samudera said on Wednesday that the counter lawsuit seeks Rp 2.7 billion (US$771,428) in compensation for what the company deems as libelous statements from Jihan Fahira.

Teguh said his client, PT Beiersdorf Indonesia, which produces Nivea skin care products, also demanded Jihan make an apology in all the publications that ran her statements.

"We have filed the counter lawsuit at the court in response to an earlier claim by Jihan," Teguh said.

Jihan, a former model of the company's products, filed a lawsuit at the court on July 10, demanding the company pay a compensation of Rp 750 million for an alleged breach of contract.

The model sued the company for still using her as the model of their products after the contract ended on March 1.

Teguh admitted that the contract with Jihan as a model started in February, 1995 and ended on March 1 as stated in the contract.

But, he said, the company still has a copyright to use advertisement materials, such as photos, films and leaflets for an unlimited time, as is also stated in the contact.

Teguh said the company was still offering to settle the dispute amicably even though the company has filed a counter lawsuit against the model. (jun)