Paparazzo sues Jennifer Lopez for using a photo of herself
Paparazzi pictures do cost a thing and Jennifer Lopez is being asked to pay up.
Jennifer Lopez is facing two copyright lawsuits for posting a picture of herself without permission.
The pictures were taken during the 2025 Golden Globes weekend. They allegedly belong to photographer Edwin Blanco and BackGrid USA.
Lopez posted the images on her Instagram and X accounts.
The photographer and photo agency accuse the "Love Don't Cost A Thing' singer of copyright infringement as she allegedly did not have a licence for the images.
Several fan and fashion accounts reportedly reposted the pictures.
According to several reports, J.LO might have to fork out up to $150,000 (R2,699,835) for each image she used.
"Ms. Lopez’s unauthorised use of the Images is commercial in nature, intended for the purpose of self-promotion. For example, Ms. Lopez used the images to spotlight the designer of her clothing and jewellery, leveraging the publicity from the event to promote her fashion affiliations and brand partnerships," attorney Peter Perkowski said, per Billboard.
It's not the first time Lopez has been sued for copyright infringement for using paparazzi pictures of herself.
In 2019, Splash News and Picture Agency sued her for the same reason.
According to USA Today, the singer was accused of sharing a picture of herself and then-partner Alex Rodriguez holding hands.
A legal expert told the publication that photographers are seen as "original work of authorship".
"The general rule is clear: The person who takes the photo owns the copyright," Joseph Mandour, managing partner of Mandour & Associates, said at the time.
Nonetheless, social media is baffled by the saga.
"Ridiculous, paparazzi stalk JLO, profit off her, then sue her for posting her own photo? Copyright law protects vultures, not victims," one X user said.
Another user added: "These paparazzi laws will never fail to amaze me at how dumb they are. How are you going to take a picture of me without me asking you to, and then sue me for using said pic?"
However, some people defended the photographers.
"Whether you call these press photographers [or] 'paparazzi' or whatever, they own their own work unless they sell the rights."
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Main image credit: Instagram/Jennifer Lopez