8:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST

Open Monday - Friday

(800) 979-3707

Call Us For Free Consultation

Facebook

Twitter

Search
 

Blog

Photographer Sues Kat Von D for Copyright Infringement

depositphotos 82863354 xl 2015

Photographer Is Suing Kat Von D for Copyright Infringement On February 7, 2021, a relatively well-known photographer, Jeff Sedlik, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D. Sedlik alleges that she used his copyrighted photograph without consent or permission. According to the photographer, Kat Von D published an image of herself giving someone a tattoo to her Instagram page. The tattoo strongly resembled a photograph he took more than 30 years ago. Dubbed as the Miles Davis photograph, the iconic image depicts a black gentleman holding his pointing finger over his lips as if to indicate...

Continue reading

Creative Coalition Seeks Commitment From President

depositphotos 98864318 xl 2015

Copyright Challenge For the New Administration Holding the highest position in the country is not easy. But it is a great honor and steadfast commitment. Perhaps no one else can affect significant change or directly influence the momentum of history as the President of the United States. Recently, Joe Biden was elected the 46th President. Just a few months into his presidency, US citizens, international entities, and lobby groups are already at his doorstep, calling for change. One of those groups calls itself the Creative Coalition - an organization that works toward securing stronger protections for copyrighted materials. If you...

Continue reading

Chapman v. Minaj Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

depositphotos 65123017 xl 2015

Tracy Chapman v. Nikki Minaj: Copyright Infringement Involving Unpublished Minaj Song The music industry is, without question, one of the most copyright lawsuit-ridden industries in the US. For the past couple of years, the legal world had seen some exciting--and most likely, frustrating--legal developments in the industry, so much so that one industry expert is beginning to claim that copyright lawsuits are now scaring away new hits. Whether real or not, the fact is that we are currently more likely to lean on the former than on the latter and the case of Nicki Minaj versus Tracy Chapman works to...

Continue reading

Hot Copyright Issues in 2021

depositphotos 326973666 xl 2015

Copyright Issues that may Change Copyright Law as We Know It Without a doubt, we are at the precipice of a digital and internet revolution. The year 2020 gave us a pandemic that not only changed our lives and the way we usually do things but also paved the way for the internet to transform in ways we could not have imagined. Now it is 2021, and it seems like the surprises keep coming. As copyright infringement lawyers and creative artists, we can try to prepare for some of the potential changes ahead, especially those that might affect our communities...

Continue reading

Nirvana v. Marc Jacobs Copyright Infringement Case Rages On

depositphotos 22119437 xl 2015

Nirvana V. Marc Jacobs - A Copyright Infringement Battle and The Smiley Face That Started It The ongoing copyright battle between designer Marc Jacobs and rock band Nirvana has yet to come to a close. Jacobs recently countersued Nirvana, LLC, claiming that the copyright it claims to hold, is invalid. The original lawsuit in question was filed in 2018 by Nirvana against Jacobs. The lawsuit emanated from Jacobs' "Bootleg Redux Grunge" clothing collection featuring a design that looks similar to what has become the iconic Nirvana X-eye smiley face. Jacobs replaced the eyes of said smiley with Jacobs' initials and...

Continue reading

Photographer Filed Copyright Infringement Against Bleacher Report

depositphotos 76534437 xl 2015

Understanding Copyright Law and How You Can Protect your Work On August 20, 2020, Professional Sports Photographer Howard Shatz filed a case against the sports website Bleacher Report for allegedly using his photographs without his permission. Shatz claimed that the website, through the persons, groups, or corporations comprising the same, copied and reproduced his exclusive photographs, putting them up on their website without any form of recognition or attribution as to his name or ownership. Shatz claimed that Bleacher Report also tried to conceal the fact that they violated his copyright. As of this date, Shatz's case is still pending...

Continue reading

Photographer Sued Diesel and Terry Richardson Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

depositphotos 78296334 xl 2015

Photographer Sued Diesel and Terry Richardson Over Alleged Copyright Infringement There is a fine line between inspiration and plain old theft - especially when it comes to photography and pictures. Haleigh Nickerson, a photographer, digital artist and a woman of color based in Los Angeles, sued Diesel and Terry Richardson for willful copyright infringement. In 2016, Nickerson created her "Sista Soulja" image, which was subsequently included in an LA art show. The picture was featured along with other similarly themed images under the title "Girls Who Dance in Dissonance." All the images show a woman of color in front of...

Continue reading

Man Sues Netflix for Using is Photography on “Stranger Things”

man sues netflix

UK Photographer Sues Netflix For Using His Photo on Hit Series "Stranger Things" Sean R. Heavey was watching Stranger Things on Netflix when he saw a cloud that looked utterly familiar - similar to a supercell thunderstorm that he shot across the Montana prairie in 2010. It appeared that Heavey's photo was used to create a scene on the hit show and was even used as concept art by the crew. When Heavey wrote to Netflix, the company, through its lawyer Jarin Jackson, informed him that the cloud in the photo was not protected by any copyright, stating that the...

Continue reading

Houston Photographer Filed a Copyright Lawsuit Against NFL Star for Posting on Instagram

shutterstock 566449900

Photographer Sues Deshaun Watson for Copyright Infringement on Instagram Be careful of what you post on Instagram - even if the subject of the photo is you. Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, is learning this the hard way. A Houston-based freelance photographer has sued Watson for the alleged unauthorized use of his photos. The lawsuit stems from Watson's posting of pictures of himself on Instagram- photos that another person took. Watson had not secured permission to use those photographs. Aaron Sprecher, an independent contributor to The Associated Press, said that Watson infringed on his copyright when Watson...

Continue reading

Copyright Lawyers Help Photographers and Others Understand DMCA

depositphotos 232198056 xl 2015

How Does the DMCA Affect Photographers' and Creative Professionals' Copyrights? You have surely seen the letters "DMCA" somewhere when you were buying music, downloading a movie from the Internet, or even while uploading your own work to an online platform. It is not surprising, considering that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) covers the use of copyrighted materials online. The DMCA was enacted in 1998 to address issues related to copyright in the growing community of online platforms and ultimately protect copyright holders in today's fast-paced technology-filled world. The DMCA is a US law that implements various intellectual property treaties...

Continue reading