Category: Vampire Weekend cover photo

PDN gave an update in the lawsuit against photographer Tod Brody, stating that his lawyers want to drop him as a client. Apparently, he’s been pretty much non-responsive to their attempted communication with him. This is only the latest misstep in a string of bad moves for Brody (including forged model releases and general unprofessional behavior). Let me just state this:

As a professional photographer who’s work has appeared on numerous indie and major label album covers, this is not how a music photographer acts. If only Vampire Weekend would’ve hired me instead… they wouldn’t even be in this mess. I don’t steal images or forge model releases. Most of us don’t.

The story is interesting to read from a photographer’s point of view, but what really caught my eye were the insane comments left by other readers. It goes to show that the average person really doesn’t get the idea of copyright. Many readers complained that Kennis is probably greedy and has no right to sue, and that she should be grateful the band wanted to use her picture. Many also believe that a found picture (or a picture bought in a thrift shop bin) is free game to use commercially. Enlightening the general public about copyright is definitely an uphill battle!

It sounds like Vampire Weekend isn’t to blame, though. It sounds like this will come down to a battle between the photographer and Kennis. I am interested to see how it plays out…