SRIPLAW, Our passion, your protection

Your Passion, Our Protection

More than legal protection, we’re true partners to those shaping culture through creativity.

Federal court in New York awards Haitian photographer $2.2 million for copyright infringement

Copyright law icon for intellectual property protection hand drawn

Court Awards $2.2M for Copyright Infringement

Photographers who try to protect their intellectual property through copyrights can take heart with a $2.2 million jury award to a Haitian photographer in late November.

The Legal Battle: Morel v. Getty Images

Daniel Morel had taken photographs of the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. He uploaded his photos to Twitpic, where they were then picked up and sold by Agence France-Presse overseas and Getty Images in the United States.

“During the earthquake, they were selling my exclusive photos for $45,” Mr. Morel was quoted as saying after the ruling by The New York Times. “This is wrong. Not only did these agencies steal the photos, but they were also giving them away.”

A legal battle ensued in New York federal court, with a judge ruling in favor of Morel. The jury determined the damages.

The three-year lawsuit culminates Morel's efforts to protect his work. Photographers should use care when posting their images on social media. Proper steps to copyright their work can help prevent misuse and provide grounds for recovering lost royalties.

Preventing Misuse and Copyright Infringement

Protect Your Creative Work Before It’s Too Late Don't let your valuable intellectual property be misused or exploited. Whether you need to secure your copyrights or are currently facing an infringement issue, our team at SRIPLAW is ready to safeguard your assets. Contact us today for a strategic case consultation.

Contact Form

Join Us on Instagram

Is Your Brand’s Social Media Covered Legally?

Don’t risk a multi-million dollar copyright lawsuit over a trending sound. If your marketing team has been using Instagram or TikTok audio libraries for commercial posts, let’s ensure your business is fully protected. Fill out the form below to audit your risk and discuss a bulletproof licensing strategy with our IP team.

View All Posts

Get in Touch or Submit Your Case for Review

From general questions to potential IP misuse, choose the option that best fits your case.

Our team will review your submission and get back to you as soon as possible.