LOS ANGELES — A photographer is suing a consulting firm, alleging copyright infringement.
Todd Sipes filed a complaint Jan. 3 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Western Division against Empower Consulting Group LLC, alleging the defendant distributed an intellectual property without authority from the owner.
According to the complaint, Sipes was caused irreparable harm from Empower's unauthorized copy and distribution of his copyrighted photograph, “Sky Painting. The suit says the defendant used the photo on the Internet to promote the sale of goods and services as part of its consulting services.
The plaintiff alleges Empower Consulting Group made derivatives of Sipes' photograph without the necessary authorization, and caused confusion and mistakes in the minds of the public with respect to the origin and source of the photograph.
Sipes seeks trial by jury, actual and statutory damages, attorney fees, costs of suit, and all relief the court deems just. He is represented by attorney Jonah A. Grossbardt of Schneider Rothman Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Western Division case number 18-cv-00066