British various steel band Sleep Token have come underneath scrutiny following allegations that they used an unlicensed reside {photograph} for official merchandise with out the photographer’s consent.
Photographer Laura Ioana V made the declare public through Instagram on December 19, stating {that a} picture she captured of Vessel, Sleep Token‘s masked frontman, was allegedly altered and used on commemorative merchandise bought on the band’s November 10, 2024 present in Frankfurt, Germany.
In accordance with Ioana, the picture in query was taken throughout Sleep Token‘s June 15, 2023 efficiency on the Copenhell competition in Copenhagen, Denmark, whereas she was on an editorial project for {a magazine}.
In her publish, Ioana wrote: “This yr I came upon the picture I took in 2023 at @copenhell competition (on an editorial project for {a magazine}) was used for merch in 2024, with out my permission. I’ve not signed any contract granting anybody the licensing rights to those images.”
She additional defined that regardless of a number of makes an attempt to contact the band and its representatives, she struggled to ascertain direct communication: “I’ve despatched emails myself and despatched quite a lot of DMs on socials as properly however I have not been profitable in establishing a communication line with the band instantly.”
Ioana additionally alleged {that a} proposed settlement supplied by somebody concerned with the merchandise was unfair, claiming she was labeled “aggressive” for pushing again in opposition to it: “As a small creator it’s a bit disheartening if you do one thing with ardour and it will get stolen for revenue and dismissed like this… it appears to not be an remoted case.”
She concluded by asking followers to share her publish in hopes of reaching the band’s administration instantly.
Ioana later up to date her publish, noting that Future Historical past Administration, Sleep Token‘s administration firm, had reached out relating to the matter: “Administration lastly bought involved so let’s examine what answer they must this.”
As of now, no public assertion has been issued by Sleep Token or their representatives addressing the particular declare.
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