Legalcopyright Law News

"Kat Von D's Testimony in Landmark Tattoo Trial"

Celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D is being sued by photographer Jeffrey Sedlik for allegedly violating copyright laws by tattooing a version of his iconic portrait of jazz musician Miles Davis on a client. Von D's lawyers argue that she did not need a license for the photo due to fair use rules, claiming that the tattoo was a transformative work of art. The trial is thought to be the first to consider whether copyright protections for photos apply to tattoos, and the jury will have to decide whether Von D's tattoo constitutes fair use.