McSteamy Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane and wife Rebecca Gayheart are launching a lawsuit over a sex tape leaked to the Internet several months ago. The McSteamy video, as it was quickly labeled, showed Dane and Gayheart romping in the nude with former Miss Teen USA Kari Ann Peniche.
Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Gawker Media, LLCÂ and journalist Mark Ebner over the nude video. The website allegedly purchased the video and posted it around August 17, violating the couple’s “legal rights and personal privacy.” The suit also claims Gawker.com refused to comply with demands to remove the nude video and “maliciously” distributed uncensored copies of it across the Net. The couple’s lawyers claim they have an exclusive, registered copyright on the sex tape video.
Court papers describe Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart in the case as the “Plaintiffs, who were partially and sometimes fully disrobed in the video, recorded it behind locked doors in Peniche’s bedroom.” Mark Ebner is accused of acquiring the video illegally and providing it to Gawker.com. Dane and Gayheart are seeking over $1 million in damages and an injunction against any further publishing of the video without their permission.
Country singer Mindy McCready allegedly stole the video from Peniche while they were roommates after co-starring on Celebrity Rehab, although she has denied this accusation.