US rapper Kanye West is facing a hefty for sharing paparazzi photos without proper authorization.
The lawsuit, filed by BackGrid USA Inc. and its British affiliate, Backgrid London Ltd., accuses the rapper and entrepreneur of copyright infringement for posting images of himself and his wife, Bianca Censori, on social media.
The legal dispute centers around ten photos that West shared on Instagram and his Yeezy website.
These images, captured by BackGrid photographers, were reportedly shared without the required licensing, a move that the company claims has caused significant financial losses. According to the lawsuit, these unlicensed posts could potentially cost BackGrid up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
BackGrid, a well-known paparazzi agency, is seeking $1.5 million in damages from West, demanding $150,000 for each photo shared without permission.
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In addition to the financial damages, the company is also asking the court to require West to cover their attorney fees. Furthermore, they are requesting an accounting of any profits or benefits that West may have gained from posting the images.
This legal battle adds to the ongoing scrutiny that West faces, both in his personal life and his professional career. As one of the most influential figures in the music and fashion industries, the outcome of this lawsuit could set a significant precedent for how celebrities interact with copyrighted material in the digital age.
