“American Chopper” star ordered to pay over $258,000 for using photographer’s work without permission
Feb 24, 2020
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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Paul Teutul Sr., the star of the famous reality TV show “American Chopper,” has been sued by a photographer whose photo he used without permission. The judge has sided with the photographer, and the court has ordered Teutul to pay $258,484.45 for copyright infringement.
The photographer filed the lawsuit against Paul Teutul Sr. and his son Michael “Mikey” Teutul last summer. According to MSN, the father and son used one of his photos in the show and on merchandise. The problem is that they hadn’t previously asked for permission nor paid the photographer to use his work. In addition, the same source notes that the duo also used one of the photographer’s photos to promote Michael’s art exhibition, again without permission. The photo allegedly showed the photographer’s logo, but he claims that the men removed it.
Obviously, the photo used on merch and in the reality TV show was used for commercial purposes. It’s not clear how much Paul and Michael Teutul earned off the merchandise, but the judge ruled that Teutul Sr. needs to pay $258,484.45 for using the photo without permission.
When you want to use someone else’s photos, you can’t just download them and use them as you please. Well, in most cases. One would think it’s common sense, especially if the person using someone else’s work is also a content creator. But apparently, there will always be cases that prove me wrong.
MSN writes that this verdict adds to Teutul Sr.’s financial and legal issues. He has been sued by several business partners, he filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and he’s said to owe state taxes. All of this has put his show in jeopardy and made its future is uncertain. But at least he could’ve avoided the latest copyright infringement lawsuit if he’d only asked for permission from the photographer and paid to use his images.
[via FStoppers; lead image credits: Sgt. Mary Flynn / Public domain]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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23 responses to ““American Chopper” star ordered to pay over $258,000 for using photographer’s work without permission”
depends who you are, and how much “backing” you have……
Sr. or Jr.???? Not clear enough.
Tamás, not clear enough?
Matt Galbraith oops, I didn’t have enough coffee! :) Thanks for noticing, gonna correct that. It’s Sr.
They are terrible with their finances. They’ll just file another bankruptcy.
I wish they’d show the photo used
Haha ?
not without permission!
Vladane možda ti bude zanimljivo. Odrao ih fotograf za lovu!
Vladan Bogdanovic apsolutno jeste.
Well yes, that’s why it is a business.
I like Sr. and Jr., but what they (or one of them) have done, is not right.
..and it probably would have cost them under $1k in licensing fees if they did it right from the start.
They are both pieces of shit!! Always have been and always will be, total phonies!
Paul teutel looks like Mr Roper on 3s company
damn, he sure does lol
I want to see the merch and the photo, seem just written new no photos.
Looks like Sr. Has discovered his poop stinks.
It’s ironic how many times this story has been plagiarized from one source to the next.
Ha! Ha! He deserves to be fined! I can’t stand those big babies!
Who is Paul Teutul Sr.? Looks like a goober.
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These people just wanna take Paul Senior’s money leave that man alone Bunch of money grubber