Italian photographer adds to Leibovitz woe



NEW YORK - An Italian photographer has sued US photo star Annie Leibovitz for allegedly stealing images he took, adding to the celebrity snapper's woes as she battles to stave off bankruptcy, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.
Paolo Pizzetti sued Leibovitz in federal court in Manhattan last week, alleging she took material he shot at sites in Rome and Venice for her own use in an advertising campaign, the daily reported.
Two of the pictures he took -- while scouting for Leibovitz ahead of the ad campaign for LavAzza coffee -- were used with models superimposed, he claims in the suit.



Italian photographer adds to Leibovitz woe
He is seeking a halt to use of the images and compensation of 150,000 dollars for each alleged infringement.
Leibovitz is already reeling from financial troubles.
She faces a Tuesday deadline to pay back 24 million dollars to Art Capital Group, a New York lending agency. If she can't pay up, she could lose her life's work and luxury properties, which she pledged as collateral.
Last week, the photographer, who is as famous as many of the stars, royals and political leaders she has photographed, won a small victory in that case, the New York Post reported.
A New York judge ruled that she had another month to answer the suit, the daily said. However it was not clear that this affected the repayment deadline.
If she cannot work out a deal with Art Capital, Leibovitz may file for bankruptcy, which would protect her assets until a court decided how to proceed.
Leibovitz's career has few parallels. Her famous shoots include a nude portrait of John Lennon and Yoko Ono -- just before the Beatle was murdered -- and nude and pregnant actress Demi Moore.
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Monday, September 7th 2009
AFP
           


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