France's Royal sued for campaign image

PARIS (Reuters) - Image-conscious French Socialist, Segolene Royal, has got into a legal scrape for using someone else's image to promote her presidential campaign.

Rabah Chalbi, 43, is taking Royal to court for using his picture in a giant montage which has featured in some of her campaign rallies, the plaintiff's lawyer said on Tuesday.

Lawyer Michel Gonelle said his client spotted the picture during an evening news bulletin, with his face clearly visible over Royal's shoulder as she addressed supporters.

"Rabah Chalbi never gave his authorisation for this photograph to be used," Gonelle told Reuters.

"This photo has been used on several occasions at Segolene Royal's rallies, which were photographed, filmed and put on the Internet," he said, adding that the Socialist Party had since removed the picture from their rally backdrop.

France has very strict laws on the publication of people's images and Gonelle said Chalbi was seeking 45,000 euros (30,440 pounds) in damages and interest.

There was no immediate comment from the Socialist Party.

Royal has been very careful to protect her own image during the campaign and last year considered suing a magazine that published a photograph of her wearing a bikini, before finally sending letters of protest.