FAIRLAWN, New Jersey (NBC News Channel) -- A New Jersey mother is suing the producer of an educational breastfeeding video that was eventually posted to various pornography websites.
In January 2010 MaryAnn Sahoury of Fair Lawn agreed to participate in an instructional video about breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding for me was the most rewarding thing I had ever done in my life,” Sahoury told NBC News. “I wanted to share that with people. I wanted to really give back.”
The video was put together by Meredith Video Studios, part of the Meredith Corporation.
Before the shoot, Sahoury said the videographer told her the footage would only be used for the educational video.
But the video was posted to YouTube and then, to Sahoury’s horror, taken by a third party, who manipulated it and posted it to several pornography websites.
“I was sick to my stomach,” said Sahoury. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just felt so paralyzed.”
Sahoury also said she was told only first names would be used, but she later discovered Meredith used her full name, exposing both her and her baby daughter.
“For a mom, it’s really hard to see that,” said Sahoury. “You don’t want your kids exposed to that world.”
Last week, a judge ruled that her lawsuit against Meredith will go forward.
A spokesperson for the corporation released the following statement:
"Meredith was appalled to learn someone misused a video meant to help new mothers. We took immediate action, hiring leading law firms and online specialists to file take-down demands, clear online caches and create positive references. We took these actions even though Ms. Sahoury signed a release authorizing use of the video across all media platforms, and holding Meredith harmless for any potential misuse of the video by a third party."
“I really had no reason to question it,” Sahoury said of the signing the release. “We went through everything before, so I just filled it out and I signed it.”
Her attorney told NBC News the trial is expected to begin before the end of the year.
