The Hangover bosses plan to alter Helms' face tattoo

The actor is seen sporting a black tribal design around his left cheek and temple in The Hangover Part II and S. Victor Whitmill, the artist who created, inked and copyrighted an iconic facial tattoo for boxer Mike Tyson, filed suit against film's studio, Warner Brothers, back in April (11). He alleged producers copied his design and used it in the film without permission.

His request to stop the film's May (11) release was denied, and the movie went on to make more than $350 million (£219 million) at the worldwide box office. The lawsuit is due to go to trial in February (12), but movie bosses have now told a judge in Missouri they will consider using advanced film techniques to digitally alter Helm's onscreen tattoo if the case isn't resolved by the time of the DVD launch in December (11), according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Court documents filed by the Warner Bros. legal team state, "If the parties are unable to resolve their dispute, Warner Bros. does not intend to make any use of the allegedly infringing tattoo after the film ends its run in theaters because Warner Bros. will digitally alter the film to substitute a different tattoo on Ed Helms's face... The home video release is currently scheduled for early December 2011, which would allow Warner Bros. sufficient time to make the change if it becomes necessary."

A private mediation hearing is set for 16 June (11).