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Copyright Infringement Influencers

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Beige Battle: Social Media Influencers Settle Dispute Over Minimalist Brand Identity - The Katten Kattwalk | Issue 29

On May 28, two "frenemy" social media influencers informed a federal court in Texas that they had settled a lawsuit in which one of them accused the other of infringing on her copyrighted social media posts on Instagram and...more

Roetzel & Andress

Think Before You Post: Notable Case Demonstrates Dangers of Using Unlicensed Music in Social Media Marketing

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Warner Music Group initiated a copyright infringement lawsuit against DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and its parent company, Designer Brands Inc. Warner Music Group accuses DSW of using over 200 recordings and compositions owned...more

Morrison & Foerster LLP - Social Media

Social Links: Clickbait, Court Dates, and the Beige Apocalypse

This odyssey began when an old laptop was discovered by a curious 14-year-old boy in Kansas. The boy, known only as “QR,” used it to sneak onto a handful of adult websites over two months last year, racking up 118 virtual...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Influencer Aesthetic Dispute Resolves by Voluntarily Dismissal

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What has become known as the “Sad Beige Lawsuit” ended on May 28, 2025, when influencer Sydney Nicole Gifford (“Gifford”) voluntarily dismissed all claims against fellow influencer Alyssa Sheil (“Sheil”) with prejudice. The...more

American Conference Institute (ACI)

[Virtual Conference] The Legal and Regulatory Think Tank for Working with Influencers - July 16th, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm EST

Influencer marketing isn’t just a trend; it’s the new frontier of digital engagement. But with big opportunities come even bigger responsibilities (and risks). Join us for American Conference Institute and Canadian...more

Ropes & Gray LLP

Imitation Game: Legal Considerations with Dupes-Based Business Models

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Lower-cost products that are inspired by luxury or well-known branded products —often called “dupes”—have been a fixture in the consumer marketplace for decades. From store-brand pain relievers sold in similar packaging next...more

Clark Hill PLC

Surprise, Surprise: The “Sad Beige Lawsuit” ends

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The high-profile “Sad Beige Lawsuit” has ended between two prominent social media influencers, which begged the question, can you protect a personal “aesthetic” or “vibe?” On May 28, influencer Sydney Nicole Gifford...more

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

The Pitch - May 2025

The Pitch newsletter is a monthly update of legal issues and news affecting or related to the music, film and television, fine arts, media, professional athletics, eSports, and gaming industries. The Pitch features a diverse...more

Weintraub Tobin

The Briefing: When a TikTok Costs You $150,000 - Copyright Pitfalls in Influencer Marketing

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Warner Music Group just sued DSW for using 200+ hit songs in social media ads—without permission. Those TikToks could now cost $30M. On this episode of The Briefing, entertainment and IP attorneys Scott Hervey and Tara...more

Loeb & Loeb LLP

Woodland v. Hill

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Ninth Circuit affirms dismissal of copyright infringement claim against musician Lil Nas X, finding that mere availability of plaintiff influencer’s photographs on Instagram does not amount to access to those photographs and...more

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

Surge in Copyright Claims by Music Publishers for Unauthorized Use of Music in Social Media Marketing

Music publishing companies are increasingly sending demand letters seeking payment for unauthorized uses of music that appear on social media platforms as part of brands’ social media marketing efforts. Recently, there has...more

Kaufman & Canoles

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - April 2025 #4

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Jack Nicklaus just scored a $1 million win in a New York court, striking back against his former company’s attempt to control his personal brand....more

Clark Hill PLC

The “Sad Beige Lawsuit” and the Fight Over Social Media Influencer IP Rights

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Can you protect a personal “aesthetic” or “vibe?” Social media influencer Sydney Nicole Gifford believes so, as she recently sued fellow social media influencer Alyssa Sheil in Texas Federal Court, in what is now known as the...more

Baker Botts L.L.P.

Defending "Sad Beige": When Imitation is Not Flattery

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In an era of content creation, social media influencers are tasked with the creative job of building a personal brand to influence the general public’s purchasing decisions and lifestyle choices. Creating a brand identity...more

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP

Three Legal Mistakes Influencers Make and How to Avoid Them

In the rapidly evolving world of social media marketing, content creators are an invaluable asset for brands seeking to reach a larger audience. Influencers effectively assist brands in showcasing brand values, gaining...more

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP

Copycats or Common Trends? Legal Battle Between Influencers Over "Clean Girl" Aesthetic

A recent lawsuit in Texas highlights the challenges social media influencers face in protecting their intellectual property. Sydney Nicole Gifford, a well-known influencer, claims that Alyssa Sheil copied her “vibe,” –...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Can You Protect the “Clean Girl” Aesthetic? Influencers Battle over Copyrights and Likeness Rights

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A recent lawsuit between two influencers, Alyssa Sheil and Sydney Nicole Gifford, highlights critical issues of copyrights and likeness rights in the influencer space. Both are known for posting photos that feature a...more

Kaufman & Canoles

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - November 2024 #4

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The National Football League has paid more than $1.3 billion to settle claims from former professional athletes who suffered neurological damage due to concussions sustained while playing, with 4% of that earmarked for their...more

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

The Pitch - October 2024

The Pitch newsletter is a monthly update of legal issues and news affecting or related to the music, film and television, fine arts, media, professional athletics, eSports, and gaming industries. The Pitch features a diverse...more

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

The Pitch - July 2024

The Pitch newsletter is a monthly update of legal issues and news affecting or related to the music, film and television, fine arts, media, professional athletics, eSports, and gaming industries. The Pitch features a diverse...more

Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Copyright Law for Influencers and Brands: How Content Creators and Companies Hiring Them Can Navigate Copyright Law for a...

In recent years, the advent of the social media “influencer” has revolutionized advertising. Companies often partner with influencers to market their products, hoping to tap into the influencer’s devoted audience. Likewise,...more

Womble Bond Dickinson

Brands & Influencers Beware! Popular Songs on Social Media at the Heart of Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

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Anyone who has ever browsed Instagram® or TikTok® (or any parent with phone-addicted kids) realizes that music is an integral part of short-form video social media. Content creators record a few minutes or even a few seconds...more

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

The Pitch - August 2023

The Pitch newsletter is a monthly update of legal issues and news affecting or related to the music, film and television, fine arts, media, professional athletics, eSports, and gaming industries. The Pitch features a diverse...more

Kaufman & Canoles

TikTok Lawsuits Target Brands, Influencers

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The music industry has begun cracking down on brand owners’ and influencers’ unlicensed use of songs in social media posts through the filing of several lawsuits over the past few months. The lawsuits have largely targeted...more

Hinch Newman LLP

Copyright Attorney Discusses Advertiser Vicarious Liability for Social Media Influencer Infringement

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UMG Recordings, Inc. v. Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2022 WL 2670339 (S.D. Fla. July 11, 2022) involves a copyright infringement action brought by a group of music publishers and record companies against an energy drink and...more

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