Guns N’ Roses face copyright infringement suit
Guns N’ Roses face a copyright infringement suit laid by the band's former photographer, Katarina Benzova.
Guns N’ Roses have become the latest band to face a lawsuit.
In a report by Rolling Stone on November 14, the band have been taken to court by their former photographer, Katarina Benzova.
The photographer laid two charges against the rock band; a copyright lawsuit and a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Benzova claims that the band's manager, Fernando Lebeis, sexually harassed her. According to the report, Lebeis reportedly made “numerous unwelcome sexual advances” towards Benzova.
Rolling Stone reports that the suit alleges he committed “consistent pervasive sexual harassment” in a “workplace environment that was completely devoid of any sexual harassment policy, sexual harassment handbook, sexual harassment training, and human resource department”.
Benzova also claims the band and its management company, Team Brazil, falsely claimed ownership of some of her photographs. As a result, she claims, the photographs lead to a “widespread” infringement and unauthorised uses in print and digital media, ad campaigns, and other outlets.
READ: Guns N’ Roses’ new song ‘Perhaps’ accidentally leaks
Benzova's suit comes a few weeks after GnR also opened a case against her.
According to a report by Rolling Stone, the band said the photographer worked with them for twelve years, starting in 2010. However, things took a turn for the worse after the two stopped working together. The band claims the photographer then made claims to some of the photographs which she took while she was contracted to them.
The band told Rolling Stone: “Ms. Benzova was initially contracted to provide tour photography services for Guns N’ Roses in 2010. She worked with the band for 12 years and was paid and treated extraordinarily well. It was only after her services were discontinued in 2022 that she attempted to claim ownership in photos, which her contract clearly states are owned by the band."
The 'November Rain' hitmakers accused Benzova of making false claims.
"The band takes these types of claims very seriously, however, all evidence establishes these accusations are categorically and unequivocally false. This response from her comes after the band initiated suit against Ms. Benzova for falsely asserting ownership in the photos of the band.”
READ: Guns N’ Roses return with 'Use Your Illusion l & ll (Super Deluxe)'
More From Jacaranda FM
Image courtesy of YouTube screenshot.