Grammy award-winning Superstar Jay-Z is suing popular hip hop photographer Jonathan Mannion for selling iconic images and prints of the rapper. According to the lawsuit, Mannion is profiting off the image and likeness of the rapper without Jay-Z’s consent.
Mannion first worked with Jay-Z after he photographed the cover of his debut album “Reasonable Doubt” which was released in 1996. Along with working with Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, Mannion has worked with many other iconic performers. Carter alleges that Mannion has made thousands of dollars off of selling prints without the rapper’s consent.
According to legal documents obtained by pop culture magazine Vulture, “Jay-Z never gave Mannion permission to resell any of the images.” The complaint goes on to add, “Nor did Jay-Z authorize Mannion to use his name, likeness, identity, or persona for any purpose.”
The lawsuit goes on to allege that Mannion was using the rapper’s images on the homepage of his website in order to draw in sales. The suit explains, Mannion “prominently displays a photograph of Jay-Z” and “displays Jay-Z’s name… above other well-known artists that Mannion has photographed.”
Official documents also indicated that the rapper spoke with Mannion before the lawsuit was filed, asking him to stop selling prints of the rapper. According to several reports, Mannion declined the request and instead “demanded that Jay-Z pay him tens of millions of dollars to put an end to Mannion’s use of Jay-Z’s likeness.”
In his lawsuit, Carter is seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction that would put a stop to Mannion’s use of the rapper’s likeness as well as unspecified damages.
Mannion’s defense is pushing forward with claims of First Amendment protections. His attorney shared in a statement regarding the lawsuit,
“Mr. Mannion has created iconic images of Mr. Carter over the years, and is proud that these images have helped to define the artist that Jay-Z is today. Mr. Mannion has the utmost respect for Mr. Carter and his body of work, and expects that Mr. Carter would similarly respect the rights of artists and creators who have helped him achieve the heights to which he has ascended. We are confident that the First Amendment protects Mr. Mannion’s right to sell fine art prints of his copyrighted works, and will review the complaint and respond in due course.”
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