Jennifer Lopez is being taken to court for posting snapshots of herself at a glittering Hollywood gala, as both the shutterbug and a paparazzi agency claim she neglected to secure their consent for using the photos. The multifaceted artist, who doubles as a singer and actress, graced her social media handles with pictures of her grand entrance at the Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair bash in Los Angeles, held the night prior to the Golden Globes ceremony in January this year.
Photographer Edwin Blanco and his employer, Backgrid, have independently filed lawsuits, asserting their ownership of the copyright for two of these photos. They argue that the images were utilized "to elevate Ms. Lopez's public profile, bolster user engagement, enhance shareability, and validate her branded content." Backgrid and Blanco are seeking compensation of up to $150,000 (£112,000) per photograph.
The snapshots capture the starlet donning a pristine white dress and a chic white faux fur coat, posing outside Chateau Marmont, the venue of the party. She posted these on Instagram and another platform, adorned with the caption "GG Weekend Glamour," and they subsequently went viral across numerous fan and fashion forums.
According to the lawsuits, "Ms. Lopez's unauthorized usage of the images serves a commercial purpose, aimed at self-promotion." They further elaborate, "For instance, Ms. Lopez leveraged the photos to showcase the designer of her attire and jewelry, capitalizing on the event's publicity to promote her fashion affiliations and brand collaborations."
It's worth noting that merely being featured in a photograph doesn't automatically vest its copyright in the individual; typically, it resides with the photographer or their employing company, who has the authority to dictate who can use the image and the fee involved. The legal papers state that after Lopez posted the photos, Backgrid and Blanco reached out to her representatives, striking a deal and outlining the payment terms. However, Lopez has yet to ratify the agreement.
BBC News has sought a response from Lopez's representatives. This isn't the first time the star has faced legal repercussions for sharing others' photos; she encountered similar suits in 2019 and 2020. Celebrities such as Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, and Khloe Kardashian have also found themselves on the receiving end of comparable legal grievances.
