Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez is facing legal action after allegedly posting copyrighted paparazzi photos of herself on social media without obtaining permission from the photographer or the agency that owns the images. The lawsuits were filed by photographer Edwin Blanco and photo agency Backgrid, who claim ownership of two images showing Lopez arriving at the Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair party at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. The event took place in January, on the eve of the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.
Lopez shared the photos on Instagram and X with the caption “GG Weekend Glamour.” The images, which featured the star wearing a white dress and faux fur coat, were later widely circulated by fan and fashion accounts. According to the legal filings, the plaintiffs are each seeking up to $150,000 in damages per photo. They argue that Lopez used the images for promotional purposes, including to highlight her outfit and fashion affiliations, thereby using the photos commercially without proper licensing.
What does the the lawsuit against Jennifer Lopez suggest?
“Ms. Lopez’s unauthorized use of the images is commercial in nature, intended for the purpose of self-promotion,” the lawsuits state. They also claim that the photos were used to enhance user engagement and visibility of her branded content. The legal documents further indicate that representatives for Lopez were contacted after the photos were posted and a payment agreement was discussed. However, the agreement has not yet been signed by Lopez.
Under U.S. copyright law, the rights to a photograph generally belong to the photographer or the agency they work for—not the subject of the photo. This legal principle has led to a growing number of similar cases involving high-profile celebrities. Lopez has previously faced copyright infringement lawsuits in 2019 and 2020 for sharing paparazzi photos without permission. Other celebrities, including Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, and Khloe Kardashian, have also been the targets of similar lawsuits in recent years. Representatives for Jennifer Lopez have not yet commented on the current case.