View all comments (2) - Comment on this story
KISS - PHOTOGRAPHER TO HIT SHANNON TWEED WITH COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
NEWS BY ARTIST ALPHABETICALLY |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||

PHOTOGRAPHER TO HIT SHANNON TWEED WITH COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
KISS star GENE SIMMONS' longtime partner SHANNON TWEED has come under fire for using photographs taken of her without asking for permission.
The former Playboy Playmate-turned-reality TV star has allegedly used pictures taken by top photographer DIMITRI HALKIDIS in her book KISS + TELL without clearing them with the snapper.
Halkidis is now considering filing a copyright infringement suit against Tweed.
He claims the photographs were taken in 2002 and he spotted them while leafing through Tweed's 2006 book recently.
Halkidis says, "I considered Shannon Tweed a friend and now I feel used. I feel I should be compensated and credited like other photographers were in the book.
"Shame on Shannon, she should know the rules of the game by now. This is copyright infringement and she won't be getting away with it.
"I am shocked she never had the decency to pick up the phone and just ask me for clearance, or if she was busy why didn't the publisher call and take it through the correct channels?"
14 April 2007 01:58
Tags: KISS - GENE SIMMONS - SHANNON TWEED
KISS News Letter
Subscribe to this news alert service to receive news and reviews on KISS
Sign Up Now
View all comments (2) - Comment on this story
Monday, April 30, 2007
PHOTOGRAPHER TO FILE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ON GENE SIMMONS
Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS facing another lawsuit...
Press Release - 07:46:30 - Associate Press Newswire
KISS bassist GENE SIMMONS has been notified he's violated another photographers
copyrights.
Edward Przydzial of Beverly Hills states; "Mr. Simmons has stolen and
used/abused my copyrights as far back as 1997 when they returned to the classic
make-up era of the 70's... He has used my images on merchandise magazines,
books, kisstory, metal edge magazine kiss specials and more. He has made no
attempt to pay me or request usage in the proper protocol."
Przydzial from East Detroit states that "Simmons' knows full well he's
violating my copyrights." And has been in contact with Przydzial through Bill
Randolph's office in New York. Przydzial also claims that during his last
dealings with Mr. Simmons, he made it clear that he would continue to use any
photographs he chooses, if they are images of KISS or of any member of KISS,
Simmons' thinks he can legally do this. Fact is, he cannot and copyright laws
say it takes 75 years before a copyright runs out. Mr. Simmons is not in the
clear.
Przydzial photographed the band from the years 1975 to 1983. He claims a loss
value of more then a million dollars in black & white images and color slides.
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons along with FBI agents in tow confiscate costumes
and collectables from one of the many KISS conventions put on by fans of the
rock band. Federal agents also confiscated costumes from a man named Joe
Marshall of Detroit at the very same convention. Federal agents took nearly
12,000 images of KISS between those years from Przydzial.
Przydzial also claims his photos have been published copyrighted under "The
KISS Company" without his permission. He states that Fin Costello's name was
put on one of his photos in the book "Behind The Mask" published by Warner
Books, he also states the transcripts for that book were confiscated from "The
Kiss Museum News" fan club that Edward ran edited and published. He says a man
named Curt Gooch used an image of his in the KISS Touring History Book and Mr.
Gooch put his own name on it, instead of Edwards.
"Mr. Simmons' lied to federal agents about the truth of ownership. Simmons
actually claimed he was "The KISS Museum" on the document he signed. Stealing
said images as federal agents hand over Przydzial's copyrighted photographs
collection. And possible money changing hands or some other "sealed file"
agreement."
"Right now I'm compiling and have been since '97. I've got a huge box of KISS
stuff with my images from calendars to lunch boxes. Lot's of KISS merchandise
have my photos on it." Sony Signatures has also been named as part of the suit
if Przydzial decides to pursue this further.
Associate Press Corp.
I don't think a woman needs permission from any man...weather he's a
photographer, or not. Just think of what these photograpers do...with pictures
that they have of women, and the majority of these photograpers are men. These
men think it's ok to post pics, or vids of women on the internet for
example...without thier permission. If men are allowed to get away with it, so
are women. Oh! yeah, Gene, honey....if u are reading this, I know how DESPERATE
u are for me, but u know where I live.


More KISS Videos





