No money for ‘Nevermind’ cover: judge dismisses ‘Nirvana-Baby’ lawsuit
The contents in the “archives” were created and posted by the previous owners of this website. We are not responsible for any misleading or incorrect content that is posted here.
No money for “Nevermind” covers
Judge dismisses Nirvana Baby lawsuit
9/4/2022 4:33 PM
Nirvana’s album “Nevermind” has sold more than 30 million copies, including a picture of a naked baby. About 30 years after publication, the tall adult in the photo is claiming millions in compensation for it. But according to the competent court, the right to it has expired.
The photo of a naked baby on the album cover of Nirvana’s album “Nevermind” remains without legal ramifications after a Los Angeles court ruling. Judge Fernando Olguin writes in a statement from the court that the 31-year-old man has waited too long with his trial. He knew for more than a decade that it could be a violation of the law without taking legal action – so any claims are barred and the matter will be settled.
The man on the album had sued the former band members and the record company because he believed the recording was commercial child pornography. The band’s rights managers had argued that the plaintiff had reaped the rewards of decades of celebrity, even performing publicly for a fee as the self-proclaimed “Nirvana Baby.” They asked for the lawsuit to be dropped. The photo shows him as a naked baby underwater, seemingly swimming for a dollar bill on a fishing hook.
An attorney for the prosecution told Rolling Stone magazine that he would take further legal action against the decision. “The ‘Nevermind’ cover was made when Spencer was a baby and it’s impossible for him not to be a victim as long as the shot is shared more widely,” she told the magazine.
According to the lawsuit, the man saw his genitals depicted as “vulnerable” on the band’s album, which has sold more than 30 million copies. He demanded a total of millions in damages from the defendants. The photo had caused him “extreme and lasting emotional stress”. The complainant’s chance of success was also limited because he himself had reproduced the iconic motif several times. Most recently, in 2016, he jumped into a pool for the album’s 25th anniversary — but with swimming trunks. The inscription “Nevermind” is also tattooed on his chest.
