Disputes between Hollywood celebrities and paparazzi are nothing new. Usually, the conflict arises when photographers take pictures of stars without permission. But this time, the tables have turned — a lawsuit has been filed against Hollywood singer-actress Jennifer Lopez for allegedly using paparazzi photos without permission. This report comes via the BBC.
Lopez had posted a few photos on her social media accounts taken at a Hollywood party. According to photographer Edwin Blanco and paparazzi agency Backgrid, she shared these images without obtaining proper authorization.
The photos were taken the night before this year’s Golden Globe Awards, during a party hosted by Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair in Los Angeles. Lopez was seen outside a hotel, dressed in white with a faux fur coat. She later uploaded several of these moments to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). The pictures soon spread across fan pages and fashion accounts.
Citing legal sources, reports say that Backgrid and Blanco reached out to Lopez’s representatives, and a licensing agreement was discussed — including a proposed payment. However, Lopez has not yet signed the contract.
This isn’t her first run-in with copyright issues. Back in 2019 and 2020, Lopez also faced legal trouble for sharing photos taken by others. Other celebrities like Dua Lipa and Gigi Hadid have been caught in similar legal entanglements.
The plaintiffs, Blanco and Backgrid, are seeking $150,000 in damages per image, alleging that Lopez used the photos for self-promotion, including showcasing her outfit and jewelry designers, boosting user engagement, and strengthening brand partnerships.
According to the lawsuit, “Ms. Lopez’s unauthorized use of the images was commercial in nature and intended for self-promotion.” It also points out that copyright for such images typically belongs to the photographer or agency, who alone have the right to determine how and where the photos may be used — and at what cost.