Jennifer Lopez, the renowned American singer and actress, is embroiled in a $300,000 lawsuit for allegedly posting copyrighted photos from the 2025 Golden Globe Awards on her social media without permission. The legal action, filed on May 17, 2025, by photographer Edwin Blanco and his agency, Backgrid USA, accuses Lopez of copyright infringement for sharing two images from a pre-Golden Globes party hosted by Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair on January 4, 2025, at Chateau Marmont’s Bar Marmont in Los Angeles. The photos, depicting Lopez in a white gown and faux fur coat, were posted on her Instagram and X accounts with the caption “GG Weekend Glamour,” sparking widespread reposts by fans and fashion brands, including designer Adrienne Landau.
Blanco and Backgrid claim Lopez used the images for commercial self-promotion, tagging her clothing and jewelry designers to boost her brand partnerships, without securing licensing rights. They are seeking $150,000 per photo in statutory damages, totaling $300,000, under the U.S. Copyright Act, which grants photographers ownership of their work, even of celebrities. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, also notes that Lopez’s team engaged in “fruitful discussions” for a settlement but failed to sign a written agreement or pay the agreed amount. Attorney Peter Perkowski emphasized Lopez’s “willful disregard” for copyright laws, citing similar lawsuits in 2019 and 2020 over unauthorized photo posts, including one with ex-partner Alex Rodriguez, which was dismissed.
This case highlights a recurring issue for celebrities, with stars like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber facing similar suits, as U.S. copyright law does not grant individuals automatic rights to their own images. Lopez’s posts remain online without watermarks, continuing to accrue engagement, which the plaintiffs argue amplifies the infringement. Neither Lopez nor her representatives have commented publicly, with a response due by mid-June. The lawsuit underscores the tension between celebrity branding and photographers’ rights, with Backgrid known for aggressively enforcing copyrights. As Lopez navigates this legal challenge, the outcome could set a precedent for how celebrities use social media to share professional images.
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