Guns N’ Roses are in a legal battle with their former photographer. Katarina Benzova alleges that the band claimed ownership of a number of her photographs without her authorization. In addition to copyright infringement, Benzova also alleges she was the victim of sexual harassment from the band’s manager, Fernando Lebeis.
Her lawsuit comes after Guns N’ Roses filed a lawsuit against her of their own. Metal Injection reports that the GNR lawsuit states: “Ms. Benzova was initially contracted to provide tour photography services for Guns N’ Roses in 2010. She worked with the band for 12 years and was paid and treated extraordinarily well. It was only after her services were discontinued in 2022 that she attempted to claim ownership in photos which her contract clearly states are owned by the band. The band takes these types of claims very seriously however all evidence establishes these accusations are categorically and unequivocally false. This response from her comes after the band initiated suit against Ms. Benzova for falsely asserting ownership in the photos of the band.”
Benzova claims the band didn’t have formal contracts with her for much of the time she was employed and that GNR and their team “commercialized at least 145 of her photographs” without authorization.
The darker side of the lawsuit alleges disturbing behavior from GNR’s manager involving unwanted advances, explicit messages and “trying to force her to kiss him.”
She alleges that her rejection of said advances led to money being withheld from her and demotions in hotel accommodations, flights and more.
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