Music video allegedly violates photographer's copyright

[Andy Kibber]

David LaChapelle is suing Rihanna over her recent music video. He says the video copies the "composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colours, props, settings, decors, wardrobe and lighting" of his work. Interesting.

Here's the story on the Guardian: http://gu.com/p/2n6az

 

[Andy Kibber]

I haven't watched the video or looked at the photographs it's meant to have infringed but, yes, it's possible LaChapelle has a claim.

One kind of work can violate copyright in another kind of work. A movie may violate copyright in a book. Or, as alleged in this case, a music video may violate copyright in a photograph (or a series of photographs).

 

[furcafe]

Yes, & it wouldn't be the 1st time. IIRC, Sally Mann was able to get a lot of money out of James Cameron because of his unauthorized use of 1 of her photos in "Titanic."

One kind of work can violate copyright in another kind of work. A movie may violate copyright in a book. Or, as alleged in this case, a music video may violate copyright in a photograph (or a series of photographs).

 

[Andy Kibber]

I hadn't heard about the Titanic thing. Apparently James Cameron tried to pass off some sketches as his own when they were very similar to work by Sally Mann, Alfred Stieglitz and Brassaï. Lame.

Here's the story from New York Magazine http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/crimelaw/features/2825/

 

[Neare]

Here's the side by side comparison that was linked to in the article

http://perezhilton.com/2011-02-04-rihanna-david-lachapelle-comparison-photos-music-video-photography

I can see why he's upset.

 

[NathanJD]

Lachapelle has always been a favourite of mine. he is actually a music video director too. IIRC he has worked with Rihanna for a phooshoot previously. as flattering as i'm sure it is that this director has payed homage to him i dont blame him for being narked about it. i thought of Lachapelle the second i saw the video.

 

[Andy Kibber]

Here's the side by side comparison that was linked to in the article

http://perezhilton.com/2011-02-04-rihanna-david-lachapelle-comparison-photos-music-video-photography

I can see why he's upset.

Whoa! That's even more blatant than I expected. They should've just hired LaChapelle to shoot the video. They obviously wanted it to look like his work.

 

[sig]

Is it even possible to have copyright a look? I wish I was the first one to take a photo of e.g. a lens with white background.........