B.B. King Estate Won’t Face Photographer’s Copyright Claims

B.B. King’s estate won’t have to face copyright claims by a photographer who alleges that the blues musician’s albums used his pictures without permission, the Southern District of New York ruled March 29.

King’s estate wasn’t actively involved in the release of the albums, the court said.

But King’s record label still has to face claims over the photographs’ use on albums released domestically, and eight released internationally.

Glen Craig is a photographer who took pictures of legendary guitarist B.B. King. Craig sued King’s estate, the estate’s licensing company, and record label UMG Recordings, Inc. for including Craig’s photos of ...