Lebron James is being sued for posting his picture on Facebook without authorization from the photographer who owns the image right.
The photographer, identified as Steven Mitchell, is suing James and his companies, Uninterrupted Digital and LRMR Ventures, LLC for $150,000.
According to court documents, the picture was posted when James was a member of the Miami Heats.
“This is an action for copyright infringement under Section 501 of the Copyright Act,” Mitchell’s suit explains.
“This action arises out of Defendant’s unauthorized reproduction and public display of a copyrighted photograph of NBA basketball player Lebron James during a basketball game against the Miami Heat, owned and registered by Mitchell, a professional photographer.”
Mitchell declares that James had no authority to post the picture.
“Defendants did not license the Photograph from Plaintiff for its Website, nor did Defendants have Plaintiff’s permission or consent to publish the Photograph on its Website,” it continues.
Mitchell further states that he is in the business of licensing his photographs for money.
The photo garnered 14, 000 likes and 92 shares immediately it was posted.
The photographer is asking James to hand over all accounting of profits made from the Facebook post, theblast reports.
He believes he is entitled to all profits, income or benefits James received “as a result of its unlawful conduct.”
James joins a long list of celebrities who face similar lawsuits.
