Rod Wave is being sued by photographer Allan Salas for allegedly utilizing an unlicensed live performance picture.
Rod Wave is being sued by a Florida photographer who claims the rapper used his live performance picture on the Final Lap album cowl and promotional supplies with out permission, igniting a copyright dispute that would value the chart-topping artist.
Based on a grievance filed Thursday, December 11, in federal court docket, Tampa-based photographer Allan Salas alleges {that a} picture he captured of Rod Wave performing in August 2024 was used with out his consent.
The picture, displaying the rapper gripping a mic stand mid-set, was later featured because the official cowl artwork for Final Lap, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 56 weeks.
Salas says he was granted entry to shoot the present however retained full rights to the photographs. He claims Rod Wave’s staff was notified of his possession however nonetheless used the picture on the album, merchandise and promotional supplies for a 28-date area tour.
“Regardless that the defendants had already commercially launched the album, which contained unauthorized makes use of of the {photograph}, the defendants doubled down and tripled down on their unauthorized use,” Salas’s attorneys wrote within the lawsuit, in accordance with Billboard.
The go well with alleges that the picture was additionally printed on T-shirts and different merchandise, additional growing the monetary profit to Rod Wave whereas Salas obtained no compensation or licensing settlement.
This authorized problem follows one other main lawsuit earlier this 12 months, during which Grizzly Touring LLC sued Rod Wave for $27 million, alleging he breached a touring contract and did not return advance funds.
