Featured Image Credit: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Topics: Jennifer Lopez, Celebrity, Instagram, Money, Crime, Entertainment, Music
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Jennifer Lopez, Celebrity, Instagram, Money, Crime, Entertainment, Music
Jennifer Lopez has been sued after allegedly sharing a picture of herself online at a Golden Globes pre-party in January.
The 55-year-old 'Papi' singer, who boasts millions upon millions of followers on her various social media accounts, is now facing copyright infringement claims after reportedly using the two paparazzi snaps without paying to license the photos.
Over the weekend (17 May), Lopez was handed a pair of federal court lawsuits from photographer Edwin Blanco and photo agency BackGrid USA who say that they co-own the two images of her stood outside the Amazon MGM Studios x Vanity Fair Party at Los Angeles' Bar Marmont a day before the prestigious awards ceremony.
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According to a lawyer for the pair, the The Wedding Planner star posted the photos to both her Instagram and X accounts on 5 January without permission.
Attorney Peter Perkowski wrote: "Ms. Lopez’s unauthorized use of the Images is commercial in nature, intended for the purpose of self-promotion.
"For example, Ms. Lopez used the images to spotlight the designer of her clothing and jewellery, leveraging the publicity from the event to promote her fashion affiliations and brand partnerships."
According to the documents, a representative for BackGrid and Blanco got in touch with Lopez’s team about the alleged copyright infringement the following week with the attorney noting that the two sides eventually agreed to a monetary settlement.
However, Perkowski says that the A-lister never signed a written settlement agreement and has not paid the promised money.
BackGrid and Blanco, who are accusing Lopez of wilful infringement under the federal Copyright Act, could receive damages of up to $150,000 per photo if they win their case.
Naturally, upon hearing the news, people rushed to social media to share their shock to the legal ordeal.
One Instagram user asked: "How they gonna sue her when it’s a picture of herself?"
A second echoed: "Why? Is it not allowed?"
"How tf does she need to pay for an unsolicited photo of herself to post it???????" hit out a third, while a fourth chimed in: "She's completely RIGHT on this one. Hope she wins the case."
Another declared: "I will never understand this stupid law. It’s about time that it will change."
Under copyright law, you do not hold the copyright to a picture someone else has taken of you and generally need permission to use it.
Tyla has reached out to Jennifer Lopez's representatives for comment.