Sara Bareilles, Sony Music And Epic Records Sued For Copyright Infringment
Internationally renowned visual artist Maya Hayuk has sued singer Sara Bareilles, Sony Music and Epic Records for copyright infringement after Bareilles used images and a video of Hayuk's artwork to promoter Bareilles album and tour. The artwork in question was a mural that Hayuk was commissioned to create for the Bowery Mural Wall, an outdoor exhibition space in lower Manhattan. The piece was on display from February until earlier this summer. A remarkably similar piece of art appears in photographs and a music video used to promote Bareilles “Little Black Dress Tour” on various forms of social media.
Hayuk's lawsuit alleges that Bareilles profited through unapproved use of the artwork and is seeking $150,000 in money damages from the defendants. Hayuk has also filed a lawsuit against clothing manufacturer Coach, who allegedly used images of the mural in its own ad copy.
“Maya is an extremely prolific and hard-working artist,” Hayuk's lawyer Aaron Silverstein told The New York Post. “This is how she pays for rent and feeds herself, so when there’s a misappropriation of her work, it’s a big deal for her.” – via Celebrity Access
If she was commissioned for the work, she was paid for it. I guess jealousy and envy of those who are more successful and more loved than you are is the root of evil that manifests itself as the so-called “justice” as played out in the U.S. Court systems of Satan. That is not God’s law – which is the only law that matters. I support Sara Bareilles completely and will defend her any any costs.
This stupid woman is sue happy. She has previously filed suits against others before and has several pending now. It was street art she was paid for. Is it even copywrighted? Maya is just doing this for money. Money she would never get from selling one piece of crap mural she ever painted. Sara doesn’t need to rip off anyone. I hope she fights it and wins.
Congrats to Hypebot for reaching the Sara Bareilles Fan Club – heh…
Whether or not Maya Hayuk is particularly litigious doesn’t negate the fact that Bareille’s camp used her artwork without permission.
If Hayuk used a Bareilles song in the background of a video slide show on YouTube without first licensing the song, you can bet your ass Sony would have it yanked off line.
Good for Maya and shame on Sony.