French Court Schedules 2027 Trial for Nick Ut's Defamation Suit Against Netflix Over 'Napalm Girl' Documentary
A French court has set a trial date for Nick Ut's defamation suit against Netflix and the VII Foundation, related to the documentary 'The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo.' The trial will take place in February and March 2027, following a hearing in Tarascon, southern France. Ut, famous for the 'Napalm Girl' photo from the Vietnam War, is suing under the 1881 Press Law for €100,000 in damages and €20,000 in costs, which he plans to donate to charity. His lawyer, Martin Pradel, stated that the documentary has severely harmed Ut's reputation. Although Netflix hasn’t commented yet, the documentary, released in November 2025, controversially claims Ut didn’t take the photo.
Key facts
- Trial set for February and March 2027 in Tarascon, France.
- Nick Ut sues Netflix and VII Foundation for defamation under France's Press Law of 1881.
- Ut seeks €100,000 in damages and €20,000 in costs, to be donated to charity.
- Documentary 'The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo' released globally in November 2025.
- World Press Photo suspended Ut's credit on the 'Napalm Girl' image.
- Associated Press continues to credit Ut for the photograph.
- Ut's lawyer Martin Pradel cites damage to honor and reputation.
- Netflix's lawyer has not commented on the case.
Entities
Artists
- Nick Ut
Institutions
- Netflix
- VII Foundation
- Associated Press
- World Press Photo
- PetaPixel
- TV5 Monde
- Réponses Photo
- AFP
Locations
- Tarascon
- France