Verne Troyer sues TMZ over sex tape

LOS ANGELES, June 26 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Verne Troyer, currently appearing in "The Love Guru," is suing TMZ for $20 million for airing clips of what he claims was a stolen sex tape.

TMZ said Troyer, who also played Mini Me in the "Austin Powers" flicks, has accused the company of violating his rights by publishing and airing on its Web site and television program portions of a sex tape Troyer made with a 22-year-old aspiring model.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles and alleges TMZ violated the actor's rights to privacy and publicity, infringed upon his copyright and trademark and misappropriated his name and likeness.

Troyer is asking for damages and also requested an injunction prohibiting further dissemination of the video, TMZ said.

Troyer has insisted the tape was stolen and ended up in the possession of Kevin Blatt, who distributed the infamous Paris Hilton sex tape, "One Night in Paris."

Blatt is also named as a defendant in Troyer's suit, TMZ said.