Kat Von D Copyright Trial Threatens Tattoo Industry Norms (1)

Jan. 23, 2024, 9:20 PM UTCUpdated: Jan. 24, 2024, 12:03 AM UTC

Celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D has never purchased a license for a photo to base a tattoo on, her lawyer said Tuesday to a jury in Los Angeles federal court, and “nobody’s ever complained.”

She’s never heard of a tattoo artist who does, her lawyer, Allen Grodzky of Grodsky Olecki & Puritsky LLP, said. But that norm is being challenged by photographer Jeffrey Sedlik, who says Von D used his iconic portrait of jazz legend Miles Davis without his permission in a case that could upend the tattoo industry.

“Don’t be fooled by the, well, everyone else is doing ...

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