Photographer Files Suite against University for Posting His Image on Twitter
On September 19, 2019, German photographer Marco Verch ("Verch") filed suit against Columbia University ("Columbia") for alleged copyright infringement of one of his photographs.
According to the complaint, Verch photographed eye glasses with a laptop computer (the "Photo"). The photograph is registered with the United States Copyright Office. Columbia's Alumni Association included the photograph in a February 2019 Twitter post. Verch alleges Columbia did not have a license to use the Photo, nor did it obtain any kind of permission or consent. The complaint is silent as to whether a demand letter was sent to Columbia.
In his Claim for Relief, Verch alleges Columbia’s acts constitute infringement under Sections 106 and 501 of the Copyright Act. Verch further alleges the acts by Columbia were “willful, intentional, and purposeful, in disregard of and indifferen[t] to [Verch]’s rights.” Verch asserts that he is entitled to damages for the infringement pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §504(b), or statutory damages up to $150,000 for Columbia’s willful infringement of the photograph pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §504(c).