A homeless shelter volunteer sued Kanye West for copyright infringement stemming from his 2021 visit to the nonprofit Los Angeles Mission. According to Radar Online, volunteer Elijah Graham claimed a video he filmed of Ye’s visit was wrongfully used to promote the rapper’s fashion and music.
“[Kanye], without permission or authorization from [Graham], actively copied and/or displayed [Graham’s] video on the account and engaged in this misconduct knowingly and in violation of the United States copyright laws,” Graham contended in his lawsuit.
Graham called himself an “event planner” for the Los Angeles Mission, which offers shelter and meals to the homeless. Graham filmed Kanye’s speech when the unpredictable artist appeared at the nonprofit’s Thanksgiving event in 2021.
Kanye ranted about needing to “be back home” with his family at the event. He was going through a divorce with Kim Kardashian.
Graham sued Ye for unspecific damages. Graham accused Kanye of profiting off the video and ruining the potential value of the footage.
The copyright infringement lawsuit added to Kanye’s already extensive list of civil cases. Last month, his former project manager Tony Saxon sued the G.O.O.D. Music founder. Saxon claimed he was fired for not complying with a “dangerous” request to remove all windows and electricity from Ye’s Malibu home. Ye also faced lawsuits from former Donda Academy employees.
