Spotify Faces Infringement Suit Over Music Single’s Cover Photo

A photographer is suing Spotify USA Inc. for using and distributing images online of a copyrighted photo she owns without authorization.

Elizabeth Waterman sued Spotify—and 10 unnamed entities—for allegedly using her photograph called “Show Palace” without permission for commercial purposes in “various ways.” Specifically, Waterman accuses Spotify of ignoring her takedown requests regarding a music single’s cover on its platform that allegedly uses her photo without authorization.

The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, features Waterman’s photo edited on to the music cover for asong called “TWSM (The Way She Move)” by artist ...