Chinese actor Ge sues firms for using his pic on memes, makes $1.1 mn

Chinese actor Ge You has made a fortune after suing companies for using his picture on memes. Ge has filed lawsuits against 544 companies in the last six years and made $1.1 million (around Rs 10 crore), according to a report in Insiders. Apart from getting compensation after winning the cases, he will also get a public apology from those companies.

A photo of him slouching on a sofa is very popular among netizens. It is from his 1993 sitcom 'I Love My Family'. He played the role named Ji Chunsheng, a lazy free-loader who loafs around on a couch for days in the protagonists' home.

In the last few years, his picture of 'lying flat' was widely used by netizens in China in 'lying flat movement' that rejects the societal pressures to overwork. The phrase "Ge You Tang," or "Ge You Lying," became an internet sensation in 2016.

The popularity of the phrase is such that today people use it whenever people see people resting on a sofa.

Owing to this popularity, many companies started using his picture for the meme in their marketing materials or social media posts. For example, a car company used his 'lying flat' photo claiming that its vehicles had seats that allow people to rest like just like Ge.

The 65-year-old actor has sued banks, entertainment companies, household appliance manufacturers and also airlines for using his picture. Interestingly, he received less than $50 in some cases.

However, the smaller amounts have added up to a big amount for him as he sued so many companies.

It also reminds us of the saying "drops of water make the mighty ocean."