Jennifer Lopez is once again facing legal trouble for posting paparazzi photos of herself, with a photographer and agency claiming she used their copyrighted images without permission.
The “GG Weekend Glamour” photos, showing Lopez in a stunning white gown and faux fur coat arriving at the Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair Party in January, were shared across her Instagram and X accounts. Now, photographer Edwin Blanco and his agency, Backgrid, have each filed lawsuits alleging they own the copyright to the two images.
They argue that Lopez’s unauthorized use of the photos was “commercial in nature,” serving to “promote Ms Lopez’s public appearances, boost user engagement, increase shareability, and lend credibility to her branded content.” The lawsuits specifically highlight her use of 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.”
Blanco and Backgrid are each seeking up to $150,000 (£112,000) in damages per photo.
It’s a common misconception that individuals in a photo own the copyright to the image; typically, that right belongs to the photographer or their employing agency, who then control its usage and licensing.
According to the legal documents, Backgrid and Blanco reportedly contacted Lopez’s representatives after the initial posts and even agreed on a deal and payment. However, Lopez has yet to sign the agreement.
This isn’t J.Lo’s first rodeo with such legal challenges, having faced similar lawsuits in both 2019 and 2020. Other high-profile celebrities, including Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, and Khloe Kardashian, have also been targeted with similar copyright infringement complaints.
