Rihanna Sues $5 million, TopShop Accused of Using Singer's Image Without Permission [VIDEO]
Rihanna will file a lawsuit against British retail giant Topshop for $5 million for selling T-shirts that bear her likeness without her consent, a source told the New York Post.
Topshop released a T-shirt in 2010 featuring a picture of Rihanna that was taken from her We Found Love music video. The two sides were apparently in negations for the past eight months for a monetary resolution. However, Arcadia Group, owners of Topshop, only offered the pop star $5,000 for use of her image. In response, Rihanna hired international law firm Reed Smith to proceed with a suit in London.
The Diamonds singer is reportedly angered that Topshop did not seem interested in correcting their actions.
"Rihanna's management asked Topshop a number of times to stop selling her image and were told, 'We do what we want," the source said. "What is most offensive for Rihanna is that they basically told her, 'Go to hell. We don't care; we are going to continue selling you.' They are taking advantage of artists. It is just exploitation. What they are doing is wrong."
Rihanna has allegedly spent more than $1 million in litigation over the matter. She has proceeded forward even though the current laws do not give her much of legal advantage.
A TopShop source disputed the claims that Rihanna has based her legal case on. They countered that not only was Rihanna targeting her anger at the wrong person, but there was no documentation to prove monetary damages.
"This issue is related to a T-shirt provided to Topshop by a third-party supplier," the source said.