Lord Jesus It's a Lawsuit! Sweet Brown vs. Apple...what to expect!

The interwebz have come to know and love Sweet Brown, the viral video sensation who made headlines after giving a hilarious interview in which she gave a colorful recollection of events surrounding a fire in her apartment. Her numerous catch phrases have made her a staple in the world of internet memes and possibly even in pop culture. 

Reports have now surfaced that Sweet Brown, who's real name is Kimberly Wilkins, is suing Apple for $15 million dollars! A radio show on iTunes, The Bob Rivers Show, and a few other programs, have been accused of using Sweet Brown's voice samples, including them in songs, and then selling the songs for profit. The Bob Rivers Show is also said to have falsely advertised that Sweet Brown gave her consent for the radio show to use her voice. So, it sounds like this radio show, and Apple, could be in trouble, right?

Not so fast! The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 is a federal law that was enacted to "protect companies from similar lawsuits, so long as the content in question is taken down expeditiously." In other words, if The Bob Rivers Show removed the song right away...which they did...she may not be entitled to anything. 

IF, however, it IS found that Sweet Brown in entitled to damages, she would likely only be awarded the amount of money that the companies have profited from using her likeness. Asking for $15 million for that plus all kind of other damages is a tad bit excessive! 

Sweet's troubles don't just end with the law, however: both of her attorneys have petitioned to remove themselves from her case. So, it looks as though she will be representing herself in federal court here pretty soon.

I love Sweet Brown and wish her well! I would absolutely HATE if if someone made money off of me without my consent. However, arguing in federal court, against a mega corporation, for an unreasonable amount of damages, with no attorney, and a federal statute possibly working against you? "Ain't nobody got time for that!"