Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

Vampire Weekend Responds to 'Contra' Lawsuit

Comments

by Gabriella Landman, N.Y.  |   July 20, 2010 12:34 EDT
Redferns

Songs in this Article

Albums in this Article

Contra
Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend has issued a statement in response to a lawsuit filed by "Contra" cover model Kirsten Kennis, who is seeking $2 million for unauthorized use of her image on the album cover.

 

The indie rock band's label, XL Recordings, sent the statement on its behalf, saying, "As is standard practice, Vampire Weekend and XL Recordings licensed the rights to use the photo on the cover of 'Contra' pursuant to a license agreement that contains representations and warranties authorizing this use of the photo."

 

"Now that a lawsuit has been filed, we look forward to having the matter resolved in court," continues the statement. "We will be filing our response after we have had an opportunity to review the allegations. Consistent with our practice, we will not be commenting further about the pending litigation at this time."

 

 

In an interview with NME, Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koening spoke reluctantly about the lawsuit and said the band wouldn't be commenting extensively on it in the near future. "There's so many things we could say about it but given we have no experience of it we're just keeping conversations to a journal for now, which is a little frustrating," Koenig said. "I imagine in the next few months there'll be plenty to talk about. Given it's our first time we just want to do it properly."

 

Kennis' lawsuit -- which names Vampire Weekend, XL and photographer Tod Brody as the defendants -- alleges that she never approved the use of her image for "Contra," which was taken in 1983 when she was a model. Kennis also says did not take the photo and that it was a snapshot taken by her mother, a claim that Brody told EW was "blatantly false." 

Up for Discussion

Jump to Forums

Sort By

Page:

Connect with

More Features

All features

Listy

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.