*JAY-Z has reportedly settled his lawsuit with Jonathan Mannion–the photographer who shot the cover of the rapper’s debut album “Reasonable Doubt.”
EUR previously reported via TMZ that in the original legal docs, Jay-Z accused Mannion of exploiting his image and likeness without his consent. The music mogul claimed Mannion continues to profit from various images and merch featuring the hip-hop star, alleging: “[Jonathan Mannion’s making the] arrogant assumption that because he took those photographs, he can do with them as he pleases.”
“It is ironic that a photographer would treat the image of a formerly-unknown Black teenager, now wildly successful, as a piece of property to be squeezed for every dollar it can produce. It stops today,” the lawsuit states.
The case was due to go to trial in March, but Jigga and Mannion have reached a settlement agreement, according to Cheat Sheet.
READ MORE: Jay Z is Suing Photographer Jonathan Mannion for Using His Likeness W/o Permission
“Parties have engaged in settlement discussions and agreed in principle on the terms of the settlement, which includes a stipulated dismissal of this action, subject to execution of a long-form settlement agreement,” the latest court documents read.
Per Cheat Sheet, Mannion photographed many of JAY’s albums from the first decade of his career, including “1997’s In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1998’s Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, 1999’s Vol. 3… Life & Times of S. Carter, 2000’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, 2001’s The Blueprint, and 2003’s The Black Album,” the outlet writes.
Mannion’s lawyer Sarah Hsia noted that her client has “the utmost respect” for JAY-Z (real name Shawn Carter).
“Mr. Mannion has created iconic images of Mr. Carter over the years, and is proud that these images have helped to define the artist that Jay-Z is today,” Hsia said. “Mr. Mannion has the utmost respect for Mr. Carter and his body of work, and expects that Mr. Carter would similarly respect the rights of artists and creators who have helped him achieve the heights to which he has ascended.”
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