Crime & Safety
WeHo Photo Agency Sues Gay Website over Use of Joe Simpson Pic
Mavrix Photo's copyright complaint alleges GayCities Inc. and its www.queerty.com site did not get the agency's prior approval to run the images online.
A West Hollywood-based agency is suing a gay website over pictures of singer/actress Jessica Simpson's father that were allegedly published without permission, court papers obtained today show.
Mavrix Photo's copyright complaint, filed this week in Santa Ana federal court, alleges GayCities Inc. and its www.queerty.com Internet site did not get the agency's prior approval to run the images online.
A representative of San Francisco-based GayCities could not be reached for comment.
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According to the lawsuit, the defendants committed a dozen instances of copyright infringement with six images of Joe Simpson and what the website termed a "sunbathing buddy" shot in Miami in February.
Mivrix is seeking at least $1.8 million in damages and a court order prohibiting use of the photos.
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The case was transferred to Los Angeles federal court Wednesday for mediation and possible trial.
--City News Service
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