Skip to main content
1 of 3
Nick O.
  • 111
  • 2

Could a celebrity theoretically claim copyright on the arrangement of makeup/jewelry/clothing on their persons to sue paparazzi?

Just something I've wondered about for a while. Ownership of our likenesses seems to be fairly weak in the US, but photography of public art such as graffiti can be a copyright violation.

Could a celebrity argue that his or her body is a canvas, and that the application of makeup, jewelry, and clothing changes their image from a likeness to an actual copyright-protected work of art?

The fact that paparazzi still exist makes me strongly suspect the answer is "no", but I'm interested to know why that may be the case.

Nick O.
  • 111
  • 2