Artist Sues After Photo Intended for Social Media Appears on Merch Without Compensation

Enso Law represents Los Angeles–based photographer Abdullah Webster (Hexlastudios), who has filed a lawsuit on April 26, 2023 in the U.S. District Court of Central California. The complaint alleges that singer Mariah Angeliq breached the photographer’s explicit agreement by allowing his image—originally commissioned in 2021 for non-commercial use only and with required attribution—to be exploited commercially. Without compensation or additional permission, Angeliq purportedly sold the image to Urban Outfitters and Penske Media, enabling its use in promotions for Latin Music Week, Billboard campaigns, and merchandise such as t-shirts. This suit underscores a troubling industry pattern in which young, Black creators—despite clear usage boundaries—are deprived of both remuneration and control over their work, even when foundational agreements are in place. It is a stand for both accountability and artistic dignity.