Kat Von D beamed as she left a Los Angeles courthouse on Friday after winning her copyright battle over a famous Miles Davis photo.
The 41-year-old tattoo artist (née Katherine von Drachenberg) was seen leaving the courthouse with her father Rene Drachenberg.
The jury deliberated for just over two hours before deciding that Von D's tattoo, which was based on Jeffrey Sedlik's famous 1989 portrait of Miles Davis, did not infringe the photographer's copyright.
D – who recently converted to Christianity – was seen leaving the courthouse in a form-fitting black top tucked into a ruffled black skirt that fell to her calves.
She also wore black leggings and accessorized with stylish black sunglasses and a large black leather handbag.
Kat Von D beamed as she left a Los Angeles courthouse on Friday after winning her copyright battle over a famous Miles Davis photo
Kat was also seen wearing a black coat as she walked down the street with her father after the verdict was read.
The tattoo artist's win could be a landmark victory for tattoo artists around the world after the jury found the ink was not similar enough to Sedlik's copyrighted portrait.
Von D used the portrait as the basis for a tattoo that she gave a friend on her arm as a gift over seven years ago. However, Sedlik sued on the grounds that she needed his permission first.
They also ruled that her drawings and social media posts about the tattoo also did not infringe the photographer's copyright, saying they all fell under fair use.
“I'm obviously very happy that this is over.” “It's been a nightmare for two years worrying about this, not only for myself but also for my fellow tattoo artists,” she said after the verdict.
Her attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, added after the verdict: “We have said all along that this case should never have been brought.” “The jury recognized that this was just ridiculous.”
Sedlik's attorney, Robert Edward Allen, said they plan to appeal the verdict, adding that he could not understand how the jury reached the verdict.
“If these two things are not substantially similar, then no one’s art is safe,” Allen said in a statement.
At the final hearing, he argued that the lawsuit was not about tattoos, but about “copying other people's protected works,” including his client's photo, which was first published on the cover of JAZZIZ magazine in 1989 and which he copyrighted in 1994 have.
The 41-year-old tattoo artist (née Katherine von Drachenberg) was seen leaving the courthouse with her father Rene Drachenberg
The lawyer argued that Sedlik had licensed the image to others over the years, including other tattoo artists, and that this made up a large portion of his income.
Von D argued during the trial that she viewed tattoos as a form of “fan art,” adding, “I didn't make any money from it.” I don't mass-produce anything. I think there's a big difference.'
Still, Von D, who rose to fame on TV shows like Miami Ink and LA Ink, said she will never tattoo anyone again for this reason.
“I don't think I ever want to tattoo again, it's crushed my heart in a number of ways.” “We'll see in time,” she said after the verdict.