against Czech boot-maker Raveli AS and its advertising firm M.A.R.S. sro, seeking damages over a billboard with some scarcely-veiled references to the first family. M.A.R.S. said it had done nothing wrong, citing freedom of artistic expression. But the Havels' personal lawyer, Elena Hornová, told Reuters the lawsuit had been submitted in a civil court in Brno. It objected to the unauthorised use of "representative symbols" of the president and his wife "for commercial use, combined with a vulgar logo". Posted throughout the country in August, the advertisements show a bust of Havel popping up in a field of mushrooms next to the firm's trademark and boot, and a small dog licking the statue. The headline reads "Vaclavka and Dashenka" which could be taken either as a reference to Havel and his wife, (Dashenka is a common diminutive for Dagmar), or as colloquial Czech for mushrooms and a little dog. The billboard also features the Raveli logo, incorporating the slogan, in English, "Fuck the World". The lawsuit seeks full removal of the billboards and five million crowns in damages, which Havel's spokesman Ladislav Špaček said in a statement would be donated to charity if the case were successful. Last month Dagmar Havlová wrote to authorities seeking the removal of the posters because they were used without permission. The Czech Advertising Council ruled that the billboards violated the country's advertising code of ethics. The council said the billboard "abused for commercial purposes a bearer of public authority" which is contrary to the code. The decision is only a recommendation that the billboard is not acceptable, but is not binding. The Havels had earlier demanded an out-of-court settlement for a similar amount. But the firms rejected the demand, saying they should be protected by their right to artistic freedom. Vitislav Kopřiva, managing director of M.A.R.S., said there was no political subtext intended and that the advertisement reflected the work of the respected Czech art professor Milan Knížák. Havel is the only person in the country protected against slander by criminal law, but the lawsuit is a civil action.