A Los Angeles photographer is suing Rod Stewart and Caesars Palace for $5 million for allegedly using one of her shots in his stage show without permission, according to court papers obtained today.
In her lawsuit for copyright infringement, filed in Los Angeles federal court, Bonnie Schiffman claims Stewart illegally used a 1981 shot she took of the back of his head and shoulders as part of the scenery at a series of shows in Las Vegas last year.
A representative for Stewart could not immediately be reached for comment after business hours.
Schiffman said the Stewart photo was properly used on the singer’s 1989 album, “Storyteller,” but she did not license its use for the Las Vegas show.
The lawsuit seeks a total of $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages.