Appeals Court Revives Copyright Suit Over Leibovitz's Star Wars Photos
The copyright lawsuit initiated by Great Bowery Inc., which represents Annie Leibovitz, against Consequence Sound LLC has been reinstated by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This legal conflict centers around photographs of the Star Wars cast that Leibovitz captured for Vanity Fair in 2014. Great Bowery filed the suit in 2022 after Consequence published the images without authorization. Initially, a lower court dismissed the lawsuit, determining that Great Bowery did not have standing since Leibovitz held certain rights. However, the appellate court overturned this decision, stating that U.S. law allows for the division of copyright rights and that Condé Nast's nonexclusive rights did not prevent Great Bowery's exclusive license. The case will proceed in federal court in Florida.
Key facts
- 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived the lawsuit on Tuesday.
- Great Bowery Inc. holds exclusive license to Leibovitz's Star Wars photos.
- Leibovitz signed an Artist Agreement with Trunk Archive (Great Bowery) in 2014.
- Consequence Sound LLC posted the photos in 2022.
- Lower court granted summary judgment to Consequence in 2024.
- Appeals court ruled copyright rights can be split and shared.
- Condé Nast's nonexclusive rights did not affect Great Bowery's exclusive license.
- Leibovitz was not a party to the lawsuit.
Entities
Artists
- Annie Leibovitz
Institutions
- Great Bowery Inc.
- Consequence Sound LLC
- Vanity Fair
- Condé Nast
- Trunk Archive
- 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
- Vital Law
Locations
- United States