An image from Rihanna's copyright infringing video "S&M"
New York based photographer, Philipp Paulus, has sued singer
Rihanna for stealing
images from his copyrighted photographs to make the music video for
her "S&M" track. This is the second time Rihanna has been sued over
stealing copyrighted images from a photographer for use in her music
videos. She is also in litigation, at the pre-filing stage,
regarding other claims of copyright infringement, over items she has
released to the public that she has stolen from others.
Universal and Paulus failed to reach a settlement over the
alleged thefts, resulting in a lawsuit being filed. Rihanna has no
respect for copyright law, domestically or internationally, as
legislated by the U.S. Congress and United Nations. In her greed for
money and fame, she has violated scores of copyrights, stealing the
property, assets and wealth of others, for undue enrichment,
constituting felonies.
Don't think Rihanna is ignorant of the thefts of copyrights going
into her fraudulent career. In one instance, Rihanna stole a
preexisting copyrighted music video treatment and slapped her name
on it as director, when she couldn't direct traffic.
Philipp Paulus preexisting copyrighted photo Rihanna stole to
make S&M video
Congress is doing a poor job regarding protecting and enforcing
copyrights, leading many litigants, such as Paulus to sue in British
and European territories (Paulus brought his case in Stuttgart,
Germany). This is due to the fact that cases brought domestically in
federal courts are routinely bought out by Hollywood record labels
and studios.
Many copyright cases filed by Americans and foreigners
in federal court, were riddled with corruption that resulted in
judges summarily dismissing the cases before a jury ever hears them,
which undermines the legal system. This is why Hollywood companies
and stars have no qualms about stealing copyrights and it has become
a way of life in tinseltown.
Universal admitted the theft but seeks to make a big profit from
criminal copyright infringement and copyright infringement, offering
him far less than his protected intellectual property is actually
worth. Companies in Hollywood and their stars are stealing copyrights
worth millions and in some cases billions and trying to settle them
for low five figure sums. However, all proceeds from copyright
infringement and the actual value of the work are supposed to be
forfeited under the law.
Philipp Paulus
It is the equivalent of stealing a $1,000,000 Bugatti
car and trying
to make a settlement of $20,000 to $250,000 to clear a criminal
profit from engaging in what is a federal and international crime.
When you take people's copyrights without permission, the law
identifies you as a criminal and felon.
STORY SOURCE
Rihanna sued by artist who claims her bondage-themed video for
S&M was based on his fashion photographs
11:50 EST, 14 February 2014 | UPDATED: 13:49 EST, 14 February
2014 - Rihanna's video to her number one single 'S&M', which has
been watched by nearly 49 million people on YouTube, could be banned
after a German photographer claims she copied his work. New-York based Philipp Paulus, 22, from Germany, claims some
scenes in the pop star's bondage-themed video were based on his
fashion photography series "Paperworld".
Paulus' work included a woman in a red dress held against a wall
in plastic wrapping with black tape X-marks. Rihanna's video,
produced by her record label Universal Music, features the U.S
popstar in a similar setup with plastic wrapping and crosses. 'It is shocking that a company like Universal music, which
generates its turnover with intellectual property, copies the
intellectual property completely unauthorised and without respect,'
said Paulus, who is fighting his case in a court in Stuttgart,
Germany.
Paulus' lawyer, copyright specialist Philip Jakober, said
Universal Music Group had admitted the similarities some time ago
but had not made a reasonable offer to settle the matter, prompting
the legal case.
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