J.Lo Faces Legal Action Over Unlicensed Golden Globes Images
Jennifer Lopez is facing two federal lawsuits for sharing paparazzi photos on social media without permission, filed on May 17, 2025, by photographer Edwin Blanco and Backgrid USA. The images, posted on Instagram and X on January 5, captured Lopez in a white dress and faux fur coat outside the Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair Party at Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles, on January 4, before the 2025 Golden Globes.
Blanco and Backgrid, claiming co-ownership of the copyrighted photos, allege Lopez used them for commercial self-promotion, spotlighting her fashion affiliations to boost engagement. Each seeks up to $150,000 (£112,000) per photo in damages, totaling a potential $300,000. The posts, captioned “GG Weekend Glamour,” were widely reposted by fan and fashion pages, amplifying their commercial impact.
Legal documents reveal that Blanco and Backgrid contacted Lopez’s team post-infringement, reaching a verbal settlement agreement, but Lopez has neither signed nor paid. This isn’t her first such legal issue; she faced similar lawsuits in 2019 and 2020. Celebrities like Dua Lipa and Gigi Hadid have also been sued for posting unauthorized photos, as U.S. copyright law grants ownership to photographers or their agencies.
The lawsuits highlight a recurring tension between celebrities and paparazzi, with X posts reflecting fan outrage over Lopez being sued for her own images, some calling U.S. copyright law “broken.” Critics argue the law unfairly restricts public figures, while photographers defend their rights to control commercial use. Lopez’s representatives have yet to respond, and the case remains unresolved.