Rihanna has already been sued once over her S&M video after photographer David LaChapelle accused her of ripping off his concepts [click here if you missed that] now another photog is accusing Rihanna of the same thing...
From NY Daily News
In a press release, 19-year-old Philipp Paulus and his lawyer alleged that a scene in Rihanna's bondage-themed S&M video was based on his fashion photography series "Paperworld."
Paulus' work included a woman in a red dress held against a wall via plastic wrapping with black tape in X-marks over it.
Rihanna's video features herself in the same setup, with her dress and hair styled differently than the original's model.
According to the press release, Universal Music Group copped to the similarities but due to a breakdown in settlement negotiations, Paulus plans to sue.
"In the relevant video-scenes of the music-video 'S&M' are essentially the basics of the copyright protected achievements and creations of our client," said attorney Philip Jakober.
Jakokber alleged that the copyrights on Paulus' works have been violated by the successful music video and "the worldwide million-wise exploitation of video ‘S&M' is unlawful."
Paulus, a German native who works in Paris, seemed flabbergasted that Rihanna, 23, didn't express more originality in her work.
"Why a worldwide celebrity is not able to afford a creative director, who creates individual concepts and stagings, is incomprehensible to me," he said.
Paulus went on to explain that creativity can only "come from a real genius," which is probably why Rihanna allegedly stole from others.
While I really respect Rihanna's talents as a musician, nevertheless it is important to respect the creations of others, even young talents," he said, "and not to copy their work without legitimacy for earning money with it in order to make money.
