Rod Wave is being sued by photographer Allan Salas for allegedly utilizing an unlicensed live performance picture.

Rod Wave is being sued by a Florida photographer who claims the rapper used his live performance picture on the Last Lap album cowl and promotional supplies with out permission, igniting a copyright dispute that might price the chart-topping artist.

According to a criticism filed Thursday, December 11, in federal courtroom, Tampa-based photographer Allan Salas alleges {that a} picture he captured of Rod Wave performing in August 2024 was used with out his consent.

The picture, exhibiting the rapper gripping a mic stand mid-set, was later featured because the official cowl artwork for Last Lap, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 56 weeks.

Salas says he was granted entry to shoot the present however retained full rights to the pictures. He claims Rod Wave’s staff was notified of his possession however nonetheless used the picture on the album, merchandise and promotional supplies for a 28-date area tour.

“Even though the defendants had already commercially released the album, which contained unauthorized uses of the photograph, the defendants doubled down and tripled down on their unauthorized use,” Salas’s attorneys wrote within the lawsuit, in keeping with Billboard.

The swimsuit alleges that the picture was additionally printed on T-shirts and different merchandise, additional rising the monetary profit to Rod Wave whereas Salas obtained no compensation or licensing settlement.

This authorized problem follows one other main lawsuit earlier this yr, wherein Grizzly Touring LLC sued Rod Wave for $27 million, alleging he breached a touring contract and did not return advance funds.

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