A recent legal dispute has emerged involving rapper Quavo and sculptor Daniel Arsham, centering on the unauthorized use of a quartz sculpture resembling a 1961 Ferrari GT. In December, Quavo shared a TikTok video showcasing himself rapping in front of what appears to be Arsham's artwork. This action has led to a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement and misuse of the artist's intellectual property. The complaint, filed by Arsham’s legal team, accuses Quavo of exploiting the sculpture without permission, thus breaching federal copyright laws. The case highlights complex legal issues surrounding the use of copyrighted materials in digital media.
The heart of the matter revolves around Daniel Arsham's creation titled "Quartz Eroded 1961 Ferrari GT," which he unveiled in 2018 as part of a series depicting iconic vehicles eroded over time. The sculpture was most recently showcased at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles in 2023. Quavo uploaded a video to various social platforms last December with the caption "Back To The Basics 2025!!", where he performs against the backdrop of this piece. The footage prominently features close-ups of the sculpture, focusing extensively on its distinctive eroded details.
Legal experts note that sculptures, much like music and literature, are safeguarded under federal copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction can lead to claims of infringement. A similar case occurred in 2018 when the creator of Chicago's famous "Bean" sculpture took legal action against the National Rifle Association for using the statue in promotional content. However, instances where copyrighted works appear inadvertently in videos present nuanced legal challenges. For instance, a Detroit graffiti artist successfully moved forward with a lawsuit against General Motors after his mural appeared in a Cadillac advertisement. Conversely, a photographer's claim regarding an image appearing briefly in a Billie Eilish documentary was dismissed by another federal judge.
In his lawsuit, Arsham asserts that the inclusion of his sculpture in Quavo's video was deliberate and not fleeting. The video spans 45 seconds and consistently spotlights the artwork throughout. Furthermore, when Quavo posted stills from the video on Instagram, he tagged Arsham's Instagram handle, suggesting awareness of the copyrighted nature of the piece. This tagging is argued by Arsham's counsel as a violation of both copyright and likeness rights, as it implies endorsement without consent. According to the lawsuit, Quavo's actions leverage Arsham's reputation for commercial benefit without authorization.
Beyond Quavo himself, the lawsuit also lists Quality Control Music, his label, and its parent company, HYBE America, as co-defendants. As of April 11, representatives for Quavo have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. This case underscores the increasing complexity of copyright law in the digital age, particularly concerning the use of artistic works in social media content.