"Bar Refaeli caused irreversible harm and affected the company's revenue," Suny Electronics Ltd. (TASE: SUNY) controlling shareholder Ilan Ben Dov testified in the Tel Aviv District Court today, in the breach of contract lawsuit Refaeli brought against the company, which imports and distributes Samsung mobile phones. He filed a NIS 2 million counter-suit against her and her father.
As for Bar Refaeli's father, Ben Dov said, "We knew by the first day that the campaign would fail. Bar was wonderful, in contrast to her business manager. The fact that I am here makes headlines, and you made sure that there would be photographers here and that everything will appear in the newspapers causing unspeakable damage."
Ben Dov contends that Bar Refaeli's father threatened him, saying, "When I arrived at court today, Mr. Refaeli was waiting for me, and said, 'I told you that I would take you to court.' He kept his threat."
In 2006, Bar Refaeli filed a NIS 4.4 million lawsuit against Suny for allegedly using her character and pictures for purposes not agreed to in the contract signed by the parties. She contends that internet portal Tapuz People Ltd., controlled by Suny, broadcast live ad pictures without her knowledge. She also contends that the pictures were aired without any editing to preserve her modesty and avoid harm to her dignity.
Suny denies that any breach of contract took place, and countersued Refaeli on the grounds that she was in breach of contract, harmed the ad campaign, and acted as if she was owed everything, while the company deserved nothing. Suny contends that Refaeli was notified that the ad campaign would be aired on all media formats, and that it would include public relations activities that included a party in which she would participate, and the pictures taken their would be used for public relations. The contract stated that Refaeli would earn $50,000 from the campaign for four months of work.
In her testimony in early March, Refaeli said, "We encountered cheats and crooks," she testified, referring to Suny executives.
Ben Dov also controls Orange franchisee Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR) through Suny subsidiary Scailex Corporation (TASE: SCIX; Pink Sheets:SCIXF).
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 29, 2012
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