VH1 is being sued by a professional photographer for using his pictures in a N.W.A. documentary without permission.
The lawsuit filed by photographer Howard Rosenbergcites VH1, Viacom and Viacom International, as well as Creature Films for copyright infringement in the 2008 VH1 documentary "N.W.A.: The World's Most Dangerous Group."
Courthouse News reports:
Rosenberg says he took pictures of the Los Angeles-based N.W.A., short for Niggaz With Attitude, just after the group released its 1988 album "Straight Outta Compton," which is credited with introducing gangsta rap into mainstream music.
In July 2008, VH1 and Creature Films contacted Rosenberg regarding the use of his pictures in a documentary that would air in October, "N.W.A.: The World's Most Dangerous Group."
Rosenberg claims he told VH1 and Creature Films all licensing for pictures must be done through him, as he holds the copyrights to the pictures and most of them are stored in his personal archives.
Reports also state that Rosenberg could not come to an agreement for the use of the photos. He was asking $450 per image, but was offered $200 per.
The documentary contained at least 27 of Rosenberg's photos.
Rosenberg claims the photos were used in promotional articles, magazines and promotional trailers, along with VH1's Facebook and Myspace pages.
Rosenberg is suing for maximum statutory damages, recovery for actual damages and any profits the defendants gained from his photos.
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