Photographer Alleges Berklee College of Music Infringed Copyright of Stevie Wonder Photograph
On March 25, 2025, photographer Alan V. Satterwhite (“Satterwhite”) filed a Complaint against Berklee College of Music, Inc. (“Berklee”) for the unauthorized use and distribution of Satterwhite’s photograph of musician, Stevie Wonder.
According to the Complaint, Satterwhite, a professional photographer, created the photograph of Stevie Wonder in 1974 and registered the photograph on June 24, 2002. Satterwhite discovered on December 8, 2023 that Berklee used the photograph to promote a Stevie Wonder tribute in early 2022. Allegedly, Berklee never received permission to use Satterwhite’s photograph. Moreover, Satterwhite claims he notified Berklee of the alleged infringement on March 15, 2024, but the parties have been unable to resolve the issue.
Satterwhite is seeking actual damages for Berklee’s profits connected to the infringement, and he also asks that Berklee and its affiliates to be prohibited from any further use, display, and distribution of the photograph.
Berklee has yet to file an Answer to the Complaint