Content creation has become a multibillion-dollar industry
Splash News and Picture Agency sued Simpson for copyright infringement.
The case was eventually dismissed on March 30, 2018.
In the US, penalties for copyright infringement can cost up to US$150,000 per violation. It looks like there is a lot of money to be made, so paparazzi are on the lookout.
See also: Royals vs. Paparazzi: a historic tale of love and hate
This news comes as a bit of a surprise, as Kim Kardashian has largely found a way of getting around the system by hiring her own paparazzi photographer.
Justin Bieber was sued by paparazzo Richard Barbera, who was "seeking unspecified damages," for posting a copyright-protected photograph of himself on Instagram. In the photo, Bieber is seen with his friend, celebrity pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. Remarkably, Barbera also went after Ariana Grande for the same reason. But Bieber has since said they "worked it out."
A photo she posted on Instagram back in 2018 alongside her then-husband Kanye West (which has received 2.2 million likes) has been met two years later with the ire of photographer Saeed Bolden, who says he didn't give permission for the photo to be used, nor was he compensated. As a result, he sued for any profits she made off the post, plus punitive damages.
In September 2019, the supermodel posted a photo of herself sporting a black-and-white checked Tommy Hilfiger hat from the designer's collaboration with Zendaya. She had no idea that declaring her love for this hat to her 28.5 million followers would anger photographer Timur Mishiev so much that he would take it to the Manhattan Federal Court and seek unspecified damages for infringing on his copyright.
The basketball superstar was sued by NBA photographer Steven Mitchell, who claimed James posted a photo he took on social media without his permission. Mitchell sued for payment, asking for any profit the player made off sharing the photo, or alternatively US$150,000 for each time he used the image.
The actress was sued by photographer Felipe Ramales for posting photos he took of her pushing her son in his stroller as she sports a "Plus Size Brain" sweatshirt, which is for sale on her website's store. For using these photos on both her Instagram and her website without permission, Ramales sought a trial by jury, monetary damages, and legal fees among other relief, including up to US$150,000 per work infringed.
The 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star grew up with paparazzi jumping out of the bushes to photograph her and her kids. Rinna stated that she's always had a symbiotic relationship with the press, which is why she was shocked to learn that she was being sued for US$1.2 million for posting photos the paparazzi took of her on Instagram. A media agency called Backgrid brought the suit against her, claiming she used at least eight of their photos on her social media accounts which has caused them significant financial loss. Rinna's lawyers argued that there was "an implied license was created between herself and the Plaintiff (and subject photographers), whereby it was understood that Ms. Rinna would be permitted to use and comment on these photographs of her and her family without facing a claim of 'infringement.'"
Xposure Photos was seeking US$150,000 for the copyright infringement and US$25,000 for the "unauthorized alteration or removal of copyright information." The agency eventually dropped the case.
The "trend" of celebrities being sued by paparazzi for posting photos of themselves is in no way slowing down. It may sound bizarre that professional photographers and the paparazzi, who are constantly on top of celebs, are the ones to sue for using their pictures. But social media has added an extra layer of complexity to copyright law, and it's still early days to understand what will happen next.
Various celebrities have been affected by this wave of "copyright trolling," including Bella and Gigi Hadid , Kim Kardashian, and Ariana Grande.
Click through the following gallery to find out who has been sued over what.
Celebs sued for posting photos of themselves
Various celebrities have been affected by this wave of "copyright trolling"
CELEBRITY Paparazzi
The "trend" of celebrities being sued by paparazzi for posting photos of themselves is in no way slowing down. It may sound bizarre that professional photographers and the paparazzi, who are constantly on top of celebs, are the ones to sue for using their pictures. But social media has added an extra layer of complexity to copyright law, and it's still early days to understand what will happen next.
Various celebrities have been affected by this wave of "copyright trolling," including Bella and Gigi Hadid , Kim Kardashian, and Ariana Grande.
Click through the following gallery to find out who has been sued over what.