Photographer Sues Over Miniature Figurines on Fruit Photos
Christopher Boffoli, a notable fine art photographer, has initiated legal action against Laurie McCormick, accusing her of copyright violation due to her artworks featuring miniature figures on fruit. Boffoli is known for his 'Big Appetites' series, celebrated globally for its unique representations of tiny characters interacting with food. McCormick's work includes two pieces available on Amazon: 'The Big Banana' and 'Papaya Trap.' Boffoli asserts these resemble his original works, 'Banana Racers' and 'Papaya Golf.' A federal court in Southern California dismissed the banana-related claim while permitting the assertion regarding the papaya to move forward, citing significant visual similarities.
Key facts
- Christopher Boffoli sued Laurie McCormick for copyright infringement over photographs of miniature figurines on fruit.
- Boffoli's 'Big Appetites' series features tiny lifelike figurines staged on actual food and has been published in over 100 countries.
- McCormick sold 'The Big Banana' and 'Papaya Trap' on Amazon, which Boffoli alleged copied his 'Banana Racers' and 'Papaya Golf'.
- The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California dismissed the banana-themed claim due to lack of substantial similarity.
- The court allowed the papaya-themed claim to proceed, finding McCormick's 'Papaya Trap' could be substantially similar to Boffoli's 'Papaya Golf'.
- Both papaya images show a golfer on a papaya with seeds as a golf obstacle and a dark background.
- The court noted minor differences between the papaya photos suggested deliberate copying.
- Boffoli's work has been featured in The New York Times and NPR.
Entities
Artists
- Christopher Boffoli
- Laurie McCormick
Institutions
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- Amazon
- The New York Times
- NPR
- Vital Law
Locations
- California
- United States