Unauthorized Photos | Invasion of Privacy

Whether it’s a private photo posted without consent, an image used for commercial gain, or a personal likeness misappropriated by a company, the misuse of photographs can cause lasting harm. Victims often experience reputational damage, emotional distress, or even financial losses when their image is exploited without permission. Unauthorized photo lawsuits have become an increasingly common tool for individuals seeking to regain control over their privacy and protect their rights.

The Lyon Firm represents individuals in a wide variety of plaintiff personal privacy lawsuits. You will not pay any fee unless The Lyon Firm is able to reach a settlement and compensate you fully for injuries and damages. A free consultation with Joe Lyon is your right.

What Are Unauthorized Photo Lawsuits?

Unauthorized photo lawsuits arise when an individual’s photograph is used without permission in a way that infringes on their legal rights. These lawsuits are not limited to celebrities or public figures—ordinary people can also file claims when their images are exploited. Common claims include:

• Right of Publicity Violations: Protecting individuals from having their likeness commercially exploited without consent.
• Invasion of Privacy: Claims when private or intimate photos are published without authorization.
• Copyright Infringement: In cases where the photographer owns the copyright and someone else uses the photo without licensing.
• Defamation or False Light: If an unauthorized photo portrays a person in a misleading or harmful context.

Invasion of privacy claims and unauthorized photo lawsuits have been filed by a number of plaintiffs in recent years, many of which involve photographs posted on Facebook, Instagram or Web sites without the permission of the subject. Commercial businesses often fail to follow the proper channels in advertising without the consent of a photographed subject, sometimes in poor taste, jeopardizing the reputation of an individual.

Even if a photo is posted by an individual on the Internet or on social media platforms, businesses cannot manipulate or exploit that photograph for their own purposes without the consent of the original poster. If an individual has their privacy rights violated, they may be able to file unauthorized photo lawsuits to have certain images removed and may seek compensation for damages to a reputation.

Joe Lyon is an experienced Invasion Privacy Attorney investigating claims and unauthorized photo lawsuits for plaintiffs nationwide.

Image Infringement & Unauthorized Photo Lawsuits

Plaintiff attorneys have recently filed lawsuits on behalf of well-known public female figures who claim strip clubs and other establishments are using their images in advertisements and promotions without their consent. Invasion of privacy litigation has included claims from Carmen Electra and Joanna Krupa, both of whom are filing lawsuits against strip clubs for using their photos in commercial social media posts.

The privacy claims note protection under the Lanham Act and state Right of Publicity laws, claiming they did not consent to the use of their images to assist in business promotions.

Strip clubs and other establishments may not fully understand that they are violating privacy statutes, though they are still responsible for protecting the privacy of individuals and may be liable for damages in image infringement suits. Similar suits are being filed nationwide, and plaintiffs may file claims against any business that fails to get consent for public postings of their image.

In a 2017 Florida case involving unauthorized photo lawsuits, ten models were awarded $222,500 by a court that heard the invasion of privacy argument.

Examples of Unauthorized Photo Use

Unauthorized photo lawsuits span across different industries and scenarios:

• Social Media Misuse: Personal images reposted or shared without consent, sometimes in harmful or defamatory contexts.
• Commercial Exploitation: Companies using photos of individuals in advertising or promotional material without paying or obtaining permission.
• Non-Consensual Intimate Images: Also referred to as “revenge porn,” this involves private images shared online without authorization.
• News & Publications: Media outlets sometimes use photographs without proper licensing or without considering the subject’s privacy rights.