( dpa ) - An attorney for French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday filed two lawsuits against low-cost carrier Ryanair over an ad that uses a photograph of him and his girlfriend, singer Carla Bruni, the website of the daily le Monde reported.
For infringement on the rights of his image without consent and for the purpose of advertising, Sarkozy has demanded one euro (1.47 dollars) in damages and interest and an injunction against the commercialization of his image. Bruni is asking for a payment of 500,000 euros against eventual future damages and interest.
Sarkozy's attorney, Thierry Herzog, said that Bruni's demand was based on her work as a model.
"She has advertising contracts with brands that pay her a great deal to represent them," he said. "A photo of Carla Bruni, that's 500,000 euros."
The ad appeared earlier this week in the daily Le Parisien and depicts Sarkozy and Bruni smiling, with a thought balloon superimposed above Bruni's head saying, "With Ryanair my entire family can come to my wedding."
According to media reports, Sarkozy, who turned 53 on Monday, and the 40-year-old Bruni could tie the knot in February.