Dallas, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/29/2012 -- The parents of a U.S. soldier killed in action in Iraq have filed a lawsuit against online dating services PlentyofFish.com and True.com based on claims that the companies used a photograph of the deceased solider to attract women to the websites.
Lt. Peter Burks was a troop leader in the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and a recipient of the Bronze Star. He died on November 14, 2007, when a bomb blew up his vehicle as he returned to base following a mission in Baghdad.
In December 2011, a friend of Lt. Burks was viewing the dating website PlentyofFish.com when a pop-up ad appeared under the headline “Military Man Searching for Love.” The ad included a photo of Lt. Burks that was taken only days before he was killed.
After clicking on the ad, the friend was redirected to an intermediary site where she attempted to sign up for more information before being redirected to True.com.
“These websites are using the photo of a fallen hero simply as a means to make money and that’s just plain wrong,” says attorney Rogge Dunn of Dallas’ Clouse Dunn LLP, who represents Lt. Burks’ parents. “This has caused a great deal of pain to those who loved Peter – his family and fiancée – and has reopened old wounds.”
According to Mr. Dunn, the photo used in the advertisement was widely distributed to the media at the time of Lt. Burks’ death, and is featured prominently at UnsungHeroFund.org, a website dedicated to honoring his legacy by providing supplies to soldiers deployed in warzones worldwide.
Mr. Dunn sent a cease and desist letter to Vancouver-based PlentyofFish.com and the company since has agreed to remove the ad. However, there has been no response to a similar letter sent to Dallas-based True.com.
“I just want these companies to admit what they did is wrong and to stop doing it,” says Lt. Burks’ father, Alan. “If I receive any money as a result of this lawsuit, I’ll use it to support Peter’s comrades-in-arms who are still fighting and dying for their country.”
Rogge Dunn handles business, employment and intellectual property matters for individuals and companies throughout the United States. He has tried cases to verdict in five states and obtained more than $1 billion in settlements and judgments for his clients, including million-dollar awards in California, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. For more information about Rogge Dunn, visit http://www.cdklawyers.com/rogge_dunn.php or email him at r.dunn@trialtested.com.
For more information on the Burks case or to speak with attorney Rogge Dunn, please contact Mark Annick at 800-559-4534 (office), 214-213-1754 (mobile) or mark@androvett.com.