Guns N’ Roses have been rocked by a copyright infringement and sexual harassment lawsuit filed by their former freelance photographer, Katarina Benzova. The photographer alleges that the band and their management, namely Fernando Lebeis, violated her copyright through the reproduction, public display, and distribution of her photographs.
Benzova further claims that Lebeis subjected her to sexual harassment by making unwanted advances and retaliating when she rejected him. These actions included name-calling, ridicule, and humiliation. She also states that Lebeis refused to pay her properly, moved her to cheaper hotels during travel, and falsely claimed ownership of her photographs.
In response, Guns N’ Roses released a statement claiming that Benzova was paid and treated well during her time with the band and that the accusations are “categorically and unequivocally false.” They further claim that Benzova had agreed to a “work-for-hire” basis with Gundam Productions in which the band would own the copyrights and all intellectual property rights to all of the video and photographs created.
Lebeis has not yet responded to the allegations. Fans of Guns N’ Roses will be eagerly awaiting news as the case progresses.
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