Jennifer Lopez is embroiled in a legal dispute due to her Instagram posts featuring copyrighted images taken by paparazzi photographer Edwin Blanco. He and his agency, Backgrid, have sued her for allegedly using these images without authorisation during an event in January 2025. The lawsuit demands $150,000 per photo.
Hollywood icon Jennifer Lopez is once again facing legal heat over her social media posts. The 55-year-old singer and actress has been sued by paparazzi photographer Edwin Blanco and his agency Backgrid for allegedly using copyrighted images without proper authorisation.
Jennifer Lopez sued for posting paparazzi pics without permission
According to a report in BBC, the lawsuit claims Lopez posted photos taken by Blanco on her Instagram without obtaining the necessary permissions or paying licensing fees.
The images in question were clicked back in January 2025, when Lopez attended a high-profile pre-Golden Globes bash hosted by Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair in Los Angeles. Dressed in a striking white gown paired with a faux fur coat, Lopez was photographed outside the iconic Chateau Marmont. The glamorous look, captured by paparazzi, later appeared in a carousel post on her Instagram with the caption, “GG Weekend Glamour.”
Agency files lawsuit claiming $15K per photo
Backgrid, the agency representing Blanco, has now filed a lawsuit claiming damages of $150,000 per photo, approximately Rs 1.28 crore each, arguing that Lopez’s post amounts to unauthorised commercial use. They allege that the photos were not only shared without consent but also served promotional purposes, boosting her brand partnerships and fashion affiliations.
According to the report, the lawsuit argues that Lopez’s post leveraged the popularity of her outfit and event appearance to promote the designers and brands she’s associated with, thus making the usage “commercial in nature.” The complaint reads: “Ms Lopez’s unauthorised use of the images is commercial in nature, intended for the purpose of self-promotion… spotlighting the designer of her clothing and jewellery, leveraging the publicity from the event.”
About Jennifer Lopez’s issues with paparazzi and copyrights
Interestingly, this isn’t Lopez’s first run-in with copyright issues over paparazzi photos. The global superstar has previously faced similar lawsuits in 2019 and 2020 for sharing professional pictures on her social media without permission.
As of now, Lopez or her team has not released an official statement addressing the latest legal trouble. The case once again raises questions about celebrity rights versus photographer copyrights in the age of Instagram fame.
