Home / Arts and Entertainment / Iconic Bieber Photo Sparks Copyright Lawsuit
Iconic Bieber Photo Sparks Copyright Lawsuit
17 Jul
Summary
- Photographer Annie Leibovitz sues Observer Media for photo misuse.
- Leibovitz seeks up to $150,000 in damages per infringement.
- A complaint was sent more than two years ago regarding the photo.
Legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz is pursuing legal action against Observer Media, accusing them of unauthorized use of her 2019 photograph featuring Justin and Hailey Bieber. The lawsuit states that the media outlet reproduced the image on Observer.com without acquiring the necessary license.
Leibovitz and her agency reportedly sent a formal notice to Observer Media more than two years prior to the current date, on May 24, 2024, flagging the copyright violation. Despite this notification, the image remained accessible as of July 16, 2026, linked to a 2020 story.
The acclaimed photographer contends that the alleged infringement was deliberate and malicious. She is seeking financial compensation for profits gained from the misuse, alongside damages that could reach $150,000 for each instance of unauthorized exploitation.
Leibovitz, celebrated for her intimate celebrity portraits, asserts that the plaintiffs have endured significant damage to their business interests. The suit, filed in Manhattan federal court, seeks to establish these damages through trial.
