Singaporean Photographer Wins Copyright Appeal Against European Artist

 

Victory for Zhang Jingna in Luxembourg Court

Singaporean photographer Zhang Jingna, 36, has secured a significant legal win in Europe. After filing a lawsuit against Luxembourg artist Jeff Dieschburg for copying her work, a district court initially ruled in Dieschburg’s favor in December 2022. However, Zhang’s appeal was successful, with the court recognizing that Dieschburg had indeed used her photograph as a template without permission.

In 2017, Zhang photographed South Korean model Ji Hye Park for Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam. Dieschburg’s painting, which won a local competition in 2022 and was exhibited at the Contemporary Art Biennale in Strassen, Luxembourg, closely resembled Zhang’s photo. Despite Dieschburg’s initial victory, Zhang persisted, leading to a ruling that now prevents Dieschburg from publicly displaying the painting. Violations will incur fines of 1,000 euros per day, up to 100,000 euros.

Jingna’s fight was not just about her case; she emphasized its importance for all artists facing similar challenges. On social media, she expressed relief and gratitude for the ruling, highlighting the harassment she faced during the legal battle, including online threats and doxxing of her home address.

Jingna, who appeared in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2018, thanked the Luxembourg judicial system for upholding copyright protections. She stressed the need for consent in using another’s work, regardless of medium or online availability. This case underscores the ongoing debates around copyright in the age of digital and AI advancements.

Broader Implications for Artists

Jingna’s victory sets a precedent for copyright cases involving digital and traditional media. Her resilience highlights the challenges artists face in protecting their work and the crucial role of judicial systems in upholding creative rights.

TODAY reached out to Zhang for further comments.