CALL US: 206.533.3854
CALL US  206.533.3854
By Eva Rinaldi - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36962401

Khloe Kardashian Sued over Instagram Photo

Kardashian sued
for posting copyrighted
pic on Instagram

Xposure Photos Ltd., a U.K. photography company, sued Khloe Kardashian in federal district court in California, alleging that she infringed the company’s copyright when she posted a photo of herself and her sister, Kourtney, on Instagram.

Xposure alleges that Khloe, who has 67 million Instagram followers, failed to obtain permission to post the photo and didn’t include the proper copyright notice.

In fact, the suit alleged that Khloe (or someone in her organization) altered the photo and removed copyright management information showing Xposure as the copyright owner of the photo.

According to People Magazine (which calls Xposure a “Papparazzi Agency”), the photo shows the Kardashian sisters going into a Miami restaurant.

Xposure licensed the photo to The Daily Mail.

The agency is seeking $25,000 or more in damages, according to Vanity Fair, claiming that it could have profited more from selling the rights to the photo if Khloe hadn’t given it away for free to her followers.

As Vanity Fair reported,

The Hollywood Reporter also noted a similar lawsuit from March when photographer Steven Ferdman sued Sony Pictures for using one of his photos of Tom Holland on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming on the movie’s official Twitter and Instagram account’s without his permission. Holland also posted the photo to his personal Instagram account. Ferdman reportedly dropped the suit in early April.

According to US Weekly,

Kardashian is an avid Instagram user, and sometimes includes sponsored posts. As Us Weekly exclusively revealed last month, she can earn up to $250,000 for promoting just one brand or product on the social platform. Kourtney, 37, can command around the same amount, while Kim Kardashiancan make $500,000 from one campaign.

As a photography blog notes,

It’s something often misunderstood by clients, celebrities, and the general public alike. Just because you appear in a photograph does not mean that you have the legal right to use it.

Related Articles

Jury Awards $30 Million in Artificial Eyelash Patent Case

A federal court jury in Texas has awarded more than $30 million in damages to woman-owned beauty start-up Lashify Inc. The jury found that Qingdao ...
Read More

Federal Circuit Affirms Most of Patent Board Ruling Invalidating Philips Radio Patent

The Federal Circuit has affirmed most of a ruling by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB or Board) that invalidated claims related to radio ...
Read More

Artist Loses Bid to Reinstate Claim over LeBron James Tattoo in Video Game

A federal district court in Ohio has rejected an attempt by a tattoo artist to reinstate his case against video game company Take-Two. The artist ...
Read More

Let's work together.

Contact us to set up a meeting with an attorney or team member.

Stay Informed

Sign up to receive Patent Poetry—a monthly roundup of key IP issues in our signature haiku format. Four articles (only 68 syllables); zero hassle.

SECTORS

HIGH
TECHNOLOGY

Artificial Intelligence

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

Computer Technology & Software

Consumer Electronics

Electrical Devices

MECHANICAL
& PRODUCTS​

Cleantech

Mechanical Devices

Consumer & Retail Products

Hardware & Tools

Toys & Games

LIFE SCIENCES
& CHEMISTRY​

Biotechnology

Chemical Compounds

Digital Health

Healthcare Products

Pharmaceuticals

BRANDING
& CREATIVE​

Books & Publications

Brand Creation

Luxury Products

Photography & Video

Product Design

call us  206.533.3854