The band on the left and the image in question on the right — via PerezHilton
Via PerezHilton we learn that Green Day has a new legal headache:
Artist Dereck Seltzer created an image that, he alleges, the band used on their website, music video and concerts in 2009. Dereck says his work has been copyrighted and he was never asked or compensated from the band to use it.
Green Day says they received the image from a company and were “unaware” that they had broke any copyright laws.
Left, a projection of the offending image at a Green Day concert; Right, Seltzer’s image (via TMZ)
According to the Hollywood Reporter:
Seltzer is seeking up to $30,000, or $150,000 (if the infringement is found to be willful) for each copyrighted work infringed. According to the complaint, filed by Todd Bonder at Rosenfeld Meyer & Susman, the art was reproduced on stage as well as on Green Day’s website and in performances of the song “East Jesus Nowhere” distributed on video, and broadcast on television as part of Green Day’s performance at the American Music Awards.
Last fall, Vampire Weekend ripped off Aakash Nihalani in a similar way with their music video “Cousins” but he didn’t end up suing.
You can watch the offending Vampire Weekend video here.
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