Rihanna 'sues Topshop for $5m'
Published: 2013 May 19 10:29:07 (6815 Views)
Rihanna is reportedly furious after the High Street Fashion chain have been selling women's T-shirts printed with an image of her in an oufit from her iconic We Found Love video.
She is apparently taking legal action after eight-months of negotiations with the firm - owned by billionaire Sir Philip Green - over the tops bearing her image that are being sold without her consent.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "Rihanna's management asked Topshop a number of times to stop selling her image and were told, 'We do what we want'.
"They buy the pictures from a photographer, but they do not pay the artist licensing fees. Unfortunately, UK law does not protect the artist.
"What is most offensive for Rihanna is that they basically told her, 'Go to hell. We don't care; we are going to continue selling you'.
"They offered her $5,000 and said they don't care."
Rihanna has reportedly hired international lawyers Reed Smith to file a lawsuit against Topshop in London.
The garments are only being sold in the UK - where the photographer owns the image rights.
The source continued: "Topshop is now in the United States. They set up in Manhattan and Nordstrom, but they know better than to do this in the US because they would get in trouble.
"Even though the UK laws don't protect the artist, she has decided to move forward and sue Topshop. She has spent almost $1million in litigation at this point.
"She says it's the principle, and wants to make a statement about it. They are taking advantage of artists. It is just exploitation. What they are doing is wrong."
Rihanna has allegedly handed over the details of her current contracts with both Armani and River Island who she designs collections for.
River Island currently sell several items both designed and endorsed by the star and printed with her image.
Whilst Topshop have made no official comment a source related to the brand told the Post: "This issue is related to a T-shirt provided to Topshop by a third-party supplier.
"We are aware it is the subject of litigation. There are public documents available for inspection in the London court.
"The amount of damages sought has not been articulated anywhere in the claimant's document."
- Sun
She is apparently taking legal action after eight-months of negotiations with the firm - owned by billionaire Sir Philip Green - over the tops bearing her image that are being sold without her consent.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "Rihanna's management asked Topshop a number of times to stop selling her image and were told, 'We do what we want'.
"They buy the pictures from a photographer, but they do not pay the artist licensing fees. Unfortunately, UK law does not protect the artist.
"What is most offensive for Rihanna is that they basically told her, 'Go to hell. We don't care; we are going to continue selling you'.
"They offered her $5,000 and said they don't care."
Rihanna has reportedly hired international lawyers Reed Smith to file a lawsuit against Topshop in London.
The garments are only being sold in the UK - where the photographer owns the image rights.
The source continued: "Topshop is now in the United States. They set up in Manhattan and Nordstrom, but they know better than to do this in the US because they would get in trouble.
"Even though the UK laws don't protect the artist, she has decided to move forward and sue Topshop. She has spent almost $1million in litigation at this point.
"She says it's the principle, and wants to make a statement about it. They are taking advantage of artists. It is just exploitation. What they are doing is wrong."
Rihanna has allegedly handed over the details of her current contracts with both Armani and River Island who she designs collections for.
River Island currently sell several items both designed and endorsed by the star and printed with her image.
Whilst Topshop have made no official comment a source related to the brand told the Post: "This issue is related to a T-shirt provided to Topshop by a third-party supplier.
"We are aware it is the subject of litigation. There are public documents available for inspection in the London court.
"The amount of damages sought has not been articulated anywhere in the claimant's document."
- Sun
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