Photographer sues Rihanna over video images

David LaChapelle says singer copied his work for use in 'S&M'

NEW YORK — Pop star Rihanna's lurid and brightly colored music video "S&M" was "directly derived" from pictures taken by prominent U.S. fashion photographer David LaChapelle, he said in a lawsuit made public on Monday.

LaChapelle, who has shot celebrities for magazines such as Rolling Stone, GQ and Vanity Fair, said "the music video is directly derived from and substantially similar to the LaChapelle works."

Rihanna, 22, has sold over 25 million albums worldwide and dominated music charts in the U.S. with singles such as "Umbrella" and "What's my name." The single "S&M", however, has fizzled on the charts, and the video has been banned in some countries for its sexual content.

In the suit, LaChapelle said Rihanna had appropriated eight of his images into the video, such as a shot where she is shown in profile against a blue background with a piece of candy on her tongue.

LaChapelle said Rihanna's video copied the "composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colors, props, settings, decors, wardrobe and lighting" of his work.

He is suing for unspecified damages. A spokeswoman for Rihanna did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

B1TCHES STAY LYING ON THE QUEEN! SUED?? SAY WORD?

WELL WOULD YOU LOOK @ THIS??! THE MUTHAFUKKIN CONTRACT! VIEW IT HERE

June 19, 2009 --

A PULLOUT by Beyoncé Knowles has a Manhattan clubowner threatening a million-dollar lawsuit.

The pop princess was slated to perform tomorrow at M2 -- the West 27th Street nightclub that used to be Crobar and Mansion -- as part of the launch of her "I Am . . . Sasha Fierce" North American tour. M2 owner Joey Morrissey agreed to pay the singer $200,000 for the gig, he says.

But on Wednesday, Beyoncé's people suddenly pulled the plug on the performance, despite having signed a contract that had prompted Morrissey to spend $100,000 preparing for the show, according to the clubowner. "They said they were too busy with the launching of the tour and that they wouldn't have time to do the kickoff party," Morrissey tells Page Six.

To make up for the cancellation, Morrissey says Beyoncé offered to stop by the club "to hang out for an hour" on Sunday. He adds, "I mean, we sold tables for thousands of dollars for the show, and spent $100,000 renting a soundboard and other equipment, as per their stipulations. What good does her showing up for an hour do me? They've been totally unwilling to agree to another show."

As a result, Morrissey says he's now preparing to file suit against Beyoncé, claiming his place has suffered a "loss of reputation" in addition to the sunk cash. "We had an overwhelming response from our clubgoers, who were lining up to buy tickets and tables. This will come as a great disappointment to all of them," he claims, adding, "If Beyoncé cancels and doesn't give us a new date, this hurts our credibility in night life."

The gig, which was initially posted on the singer's Web site, has since been taken down. A rep for Beyoncé at Sony did not respond to our phone calls and e-mails. from the NY Post

Statement on Beyonce Launch Party Cancellation

By: PR Newswire | 19 Jun 2009 | 01:44 PM ET

NEW YORK, June 19, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The cancellation of the launch party for Beyonce's "I AM..." tour, first scheduled for this Saturday at M2, was a result of a breach of contract by the promoter. Beyonce never had a contract with the club itself and no one in her camp dealt directly with the venue. The superstar was never scheduled to perform but was to serve as a co-host and introduce singer/songwriter Solange's performance. Patrons were falsely promised a performance by Beyonce.

SOURCE Music World/Columbia Records www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: New York INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MUS

REMEMBER THESE??? SO IT'S DIFFERENT IN NY HUH?????