Howard K. Stern filed a $60 million suit against (1) Rita Cosby and (2) Hachette Book Group USA, Inc. today in an Atlanta federal court.  He’s asking for $10 million in actual damages and another $50 in punitive (or punishment) damages from the author and publisher of Blonde Ambition. 

Larry Burkhead isn’t a party to this suit; however, his lawyer is claiming that Larry will be filing suit against Cosby and her publisher, too. 

In his lawsuit, Howard K. Stern claims he has been harmed by the book, and that Anna Nicole Smith has been harmed, too, because the “[d]efendants have exploited Ms. Smith’s life and death by publishing false and defamatory factual accusations” against Stern.  Which implies that Dannielynn has been harmed, as well, even though she’s not a party nor is Anna Nicole’s estate at this point.

How is Dannielynn harmed?  Think of Lisa Marie and Elvis — Elvis’ legendary persona benefits Lisa Marie in many ways; if nasty things were imputed to Elvis now, Lisa Marie would be hurt financially and otherwise.  Same for Dannielynn — she stands to benefit from the continuing popularity of Anna Nicole and to the extent that Anna Nicole’s persona is harmed, DannieLynn is harmed as well.

Of course, how AnnaNicole’s reputation could be tarnished and harmed at this point — well, there’s a fact question for the jury if there ever was one ….