Feel free to whistle — because this is one lawsuit worth checking out.
Shoshana Roberts, the woman who starred in the infamous “catcall” YouTube video that went viral last fall, is now suing the video’s creator and director, Rob Bliss, for at least $500,000.
Roberts, who was featured in the video walking the streets of New York City while men tried to catch her attention with verbal come-ons, alleges breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment, violations of her right to publicity and privacy, and violations of New York’s Civil Rights Law.
She’s also suing for quantum meruit — in English, a reasonable fee for services rendered when compensation for that work isn’t stipulated in a legally enforceable contract.
In addition to Bliss, Roberts is suing the anti-street harassment organization Hollaback! Inc., Google, YouTube and TGI Fridays, which spoofed the video in an ad.
The video, titled “10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman,” has amassed more than 40 million views since it was published late last year.
The suit is seeking “compensatory and punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial but in no event less than $500,000 plus interest.”
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
Watch Roberts work it in the video.