Photographer Sues Apple for Using 'Eye Closeup' Photo Without License

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Posted October 13, 2012 at 6:19pm by iClarified · 17357 views

Photographer Sabine Liewald of Switzerland has filed suit against Apple for using her 'Eye Closeup' photo in its Retina Display MacBook Pro campaign without a license, reports Patently Apple.

The high resolution photo was obtained from the plaintiff's agent, Factory Downtown, for layout purposes only. Apple was reportedly aware that it did not have the rights to use the photo.

The company allegedly informed Factory Downtown that it didn't intend to use the photo but then proceeded to "copy, publish, and exploit Plaintiff's photograph, including in its MacBook Pro advertising campaign, keynote addresses and related advertising materials without permission or compensation."

Liewald says she's entitled to actual damages including defendant's profits; statutory damages for the infringing use of the "Eye Closeup" photograph.

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Photographer Sues Apple for Using 'Eye Closeup' Photo Without License

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Simon - October 15, 2012 at 3:25am

I love apple just as much as the next fan but apple needs to set a better example. They should pay IMHO.

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Copperhead - October 14, 2012 at 6:51pm

Exactly... She did nothing wrong. Apple stole from her now its time for the thieves to pay up...... Pay Up Apple....... I hope she becomes really famous like Picasso...lol

Hemanth - October 14, 2012 at 5:43am

Fuck that photographer .If one paper use this he doesn't sue because they give free publicity but other than media they will go to court because they want money but they are also giving publicity with free cost

Me - October 14, 2012 at 11:31am

What did the photographer do? Apple stole her picture. How does that make her bad?

odedo1 - October 14, 2012 at 3:53am

I know for a fact that Apple where the first to steal patents especially when it came to the cell phone, they stole from Nokia antenna design and paid for it making sure nobody knows, also I've been using WiFi sync since the iPhone 3G invented by a British guy they stole it from him including the icon, he talked about it only once never repeated, so I'm pretty sure Apple paid him under the table with a none disclosure agreement, so if any body think that Apple is so clean think again!!!

Culua - October 14, 2012 at 2:43am

That's right! She the hell out of them!!! LOL!!

Teenager - October 14, 2012 at 1:38am

Apple is greedy and bully. They stole trademark from beatles, the clock and now the retina. And then claiming they innovate it. Bollocks!!!

Den Icce - October 13, 2012 at 11:47pm

I know right, Apple sues everything and everyone whether its a minor thing, or something big, and once someone sues apple its bad. this is business, this way this photographer gets recognised as well, for example i didnt know who took this pic, for all i know apple made this pic, but now we all know that this is not so... so, good publicity for photographer, bad for apple and good money for photographer its a win win for Sabine.. and apple will not get poorer even if they pay out a million in compensation for her, im sure they have large provision for this sort of cases in the accounting budgets.

Jim James - October 13, 2012 at 11:34pm

If another party steals or uses Apple's Intellectual Property, like Samsung, then it's alright to sue the Hell out of them. If Apple steals another's IP, like this photo or the Swiss clock, and the other party wants to be rightfully compensated, then they're greedy bastards.

naeem - October 13, 2012 at 11:07pm

another new beggar

MikeB - October 13, 2012 at 11:00pm

It's the same principle as with music and all other art. If it belongs to someone and they don't agree to share it then pay up. So many poor people even got sued and prosecuted during the napster and Kazaa times. Also People this has nothing to do with iProducts anyhow. Don't get your panties in a bunch you fruitcakes.

Tim Cook - October 13, 2012 at 10:26pm

Sue the hell out of them girl!!!

Ricky - October 13, 2012 at 10:08pm

She is is ugly

Tergel - October 13, 2012 at 9:21pm

We may live in over litigious times, but this is not at all excessive or frivolous. Photographers don't make money when someone uses their work without paying for it.

Sabine Liewald - October 13, 2012 at 7:55pm

I need money to pay for my sex change operation, so I'm going to sue Apple for the money. I want big tits and a huge boot.

Me - October 14, 2012 at 11:27am

Don't forget body hair transplant. That can cost a lot

Copperhead - October 14, 2012 at 6:53pm

A huge boot.???

Eye photo - October 13, 2012 at 6:26pm

I will now sue Sabine Liewald for having a close up of my eye without a license. I'm entitled to actual damages including defendant's profits; statutory damages for the infringing use of my eye closeup photograph. It is also plain creepy that she has a photograph of my eye in the first place. I demand $1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, her unborn child and a restraining order against her.

Stephen Jobes - October 13, 2012 at 7:20pm

How does that have anything to do with iProducts?

sidewinder - October 13, 2012 at 7:30pm

Dear Mr. Steve Jobs, Ever since you died I think you lost your mind.

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