NBA player sued for copyright infringement
Kendrick Nunn, a player for the Los Angeles Lakers, has recently been hit with a copyright infringement suit from curtsied photographer Steven Mitchell. The suit arose after Nunn posted a photograph clicked by Mitchell, onto his social media profiles, without taking any license or permission from the photographer. Mitchell has also previously filed a similar suit against NBA legend LeBron James, which was only recently settled for around 1 million US dollars
Ranchi Court gives green light to JugJugg Jeeyo
In a recent order, the Ranchi Commercial Court refused to stay the release of Dharma Production’s latest film ‘JugJugg Jeeyo’ in light of a copyright infringement suit filed against the film. The suit, which was filed by Ranchi-based writer Vishal Singh, alleged that the film was based on Singh’s original story “Punny Rani”, which was allegedly submitted to Karan Johar at an earlier time. The Ranchi District Court, after arranging a screening, and assessing the claims made by Vishal Singh, dismissed the suit, and refused to stay the release of the film.
Photographer sues tattoo artist over copyright infringement
In a first-of-its-kind case, celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D was made subject to a copyright infringement suit filed before a California court, by photographer Jeffrey Sedlik, over the artist’s 2017 tattoo of jazz legend Miles Davis. Sedlik alleged that as the tattoo was substantially similar to his photograph of Miles Davis, Von D had committed copyright infringement. Von D, on the other hand, contends that the tattoo was a transformative work, and is covered under the doctrine of Fair Use. The case has now proceeded to trial and will be decided in due course by a jury.
Streaming platform Pandora sued by Lewis Black
US-based music and podcast streaming service Pandora, has recently been served with a copyright infringement lawsuit by comedian Lewis Black. The lawsuit alleges that Pandora has illegally uploaded 68 of Black’s works to its streaming platform, without acquiring the necessary rights or licenses, and without paying any royalties to the comedian. Lewis Black has now moved a California court seeking over USD 10 million in damages. Pandora has further filed a countersuit against the rights management society ‘World Collections’, the rightful licensor of Black’s work, alleging violations of antitrust law.
Authored and compiled by Varun Gopala Krishnan (Associate, BananaIP Counsels)
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