Farrell sex tape case must proceed, says judge

Irish actor Colin Farrell’s legal bid to prevent distribution of a sex tape he made with his Playmate girlfriend three years ago must proceed, a US judge ruled today.

Nicole Narain, Playboy’s Miss January 2002, sought to have Mr Farrell’s lawsuit dismissed. But superior court judge in Los Angeles Elihu Berle quashed the motion, instead directing Ms Narain’s lawyers to file an answer to Farrell’s suit.

Narain is challenging the actor’s claim that they agreed to keep the 14-minute videotape private. As “co-creator” of the tape, she alleges she has the right to reproduce, market and distribute it under federal copyright law.

Leodis Matthews, a lawyer for Ms Narain, said sales of the videotape could represent significant income for his client, rivalling that of the notorious Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee sex tape.

Farrell’s attorney, Paul Berra, declined to comment on the day’s proceedings.

Farrell (aged 29) star of The New World and Alexander, filed the case against Narain and several others in July, 2005, to stop distribution of the tape, which he claims would irreparably damage his career.

A restraining order has been in place since then, temporarily blocking public release of the video.