Photographer Says Pop Crave Illegally Distributed Aaliyah Photos

A portrait photographer is alleging copyright infringement against Pop Crave LLC, saying it willfully violated his rights when it shared photos he took of the late musician Aaliyah on its social media pages.

Eric Johnson alleges the media company purposely distributed four photos he took of Aaliyah in 2001 on its social media accounts—"@PopCrave"—without his permission, according to the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Johnson also said the company falsified copyright management information when it placed “POP CRAVE” onto copies of the Aaliyah photos. He further asserts that users who saw the company’s post were provided a means to infringe his intellectual property rights by using the “share functions” on social media.

The complaint asserts claims for direct copyright infringement, vicarious copyright infringement, inducement of copyright infringement, and false copyright management information.

Johnson is seeking damages, profits gained from the alleged infringement, a permanent injunction to stop the allegedly infringing use of the photos, costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Pop Crave didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Judge Arun S. Subramanian is assigned to the case.

Ferdinand IP LLC represents Johnson.

The case is Johnson v. Pop Crave LLC, S.D.N.Y., No. 1:24-cv-00186, complaint 1/10/24.