Transformative Use Archives

Jeff Sedlik’s photograph of Miles Davis was used as the reference for a tattoo by Kat Von D. The copyright case will now be decided by a Los Angeles jury.

A federal jury is set to decide whether celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D infringed photographer Jeff Sedlik's copyright in a Miles Davis portrait by tattooing the image onto her client's body.

Photographer Jeff Sedlik and tattoo artist Kat Von D both claim the Supreme Court’s Warhol decision entitles them to summary judgment in a first-of-its-kind copyright lawsuit.

LLegal Filings

Court to Revisit Fair Use in Tattoo Infringement Case

byAaron Moss

Photographer Jeff Sedlik and tattoo artist Kat Von D each claim the Supreme Court’s Warhol decision entitles them to summary judgment their long-running copyright dispute.

A comparison of Lynn Goldsmith's original photo of Prince with Warhol's "Orange Prince"

CCourt Decisions

Let’s Go Hazy: Making Sense of Fair Use After Warhol

byAaron Moss

Five things to know about the Supreme Court's new purpose-driven fair use opinion in Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith

In a ruling in the Kat Von D tattoo copyright lawsuit, the district court largely denies both parties' motions for summary judgment, finding triable issues on substantial similarity and fair use.

CCourt Decisions

Kat Von D Tattoo Lawsuit Appears Headed to a Jury

byAaron Moss

In a 30-page order, the district court largely denies both parties' motions for summary judgment, finding triable issues on substantial similarity and fair use.

Over the past quarter-century, transformative use has become shorthand for fair use itself. The Warhol case gives the Supreme Court an opportunity to provide balance and flexibility to the doctrine.

LLegal Filings

With Warhol, It’s Time to Transform Transformative Use

byAaron Moss

Over the past quarter-century, transformative use has become shorthand for fair use itself. The Warhol case gives the Supreme Court an opportunity to provide balance and flexibility to the doctrine.

Transformative Use

Kat Von D Tattoo Infringement Trial Begins (and Ends!): What You Need To Know

Court to Revisit Fair Use in Tattoo Infringement Case

Let’s Go Hazy: Making Sense of Fair Use After Warhol

Kat Von D Tattoo Lawsuit Appears Headed to a Jury

With Warhol, It’s Time to Transform Transformative Use

As Publishers Beat Internet Archive, Are Libraries The Real Losers?

Court Says U.S. Copyright Termination Might Cut Off Foreign Rights

Will AI Copyright Claims Keep Standing After New Ruling?

Paramount Flies Clear of Copyright Turbulence in “Top Gun” Lawsuit

Gigi Hadid’s No-Defense Offense Pays Off in Copyright Default