Photographer Sues Utah Coffee Shop Over Cartoon Version of Protest Image

Sharon Rose Vanygriff Christenson, a professional photographer, has initiated a copyright infringement lawsuit against Cache Coffee and More, a coffee shop located in Logan, Utah, along with its co-owner Jamie Buttars. The legal conflict arises from a photograph taken by Christenson during a “No Kings” rally in Cache Valley, Northern Utah, which features a protester holding a sign that states, “I love my coffee fascism free.” The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the coffee shop allegedly posted the image on Facebook, obscuring the protester’s face and including a caption about Buttars. After Christenson submitted a takedown notice, Facebook removed the post. She subsequently informed the shop that the photo was copyrighted and required permission for use. However, the coffee shop reportedly created a cartoon version of the image for a coffee label, changing the sign to “I love my coffee caffeine free,” and utilized it on cups and bags. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for Utah, indicates that the company’s website was still offering a decaf roast featuring the cartoon label as of Saturday, although it is no longer listed. Christenson is seeking statutory damages of up to $30,000 and additional damages of up to $150,000 for willful infringement. This case is reminiscent of a prior report by PetaPixel regarding a photographer who sued a university coffee shop for unauthorized use of a blueberry muffin image.