'Sad Beige' Influencer Alleges Creator 'Stole Her Likeness.' Lawsuit Gets Major Update 1 Year After Filing
The highly publicized "Sad Beige Lawsuit" is coming to a close, as both plaintiff Sydney Nicole Gifford and defendant Alyssa Sheil asked a judge to dismiss the case over a year after it was filed
In April 2024, Gifford brought on eight claims against Sheil, alleging that she "replicated" her "aesthetic" curated with neutral tones like beige and cream
Sheil denied all claims in her initial response, and after both parties requested to drop the case entirely, she celebrated setting a precedent to protect future "young influencers" against "bullying"In April 2024, Sydney Nicole Gifford filed a lawsuit alleging fellow influencer Alyssa Sheil "replicated" her "neutral, beige, and cream aesthetic" across various social media platforms. Over a year later, the two creators have asked a judge to dismiss the first-of-its-kind case, which has come to be known as the "Sad Beige Lawsuit."
Per the stipulation filed on Wednesday, May 28, both parties agreed to request the release of all Gifford's "claims and potential counterclaims" related to the initial action. Sheil's legal representation at AZA law firm issued a written statement confirming the dismissal of all eight claims brought on by the plaintiff, which included federal copyright infringement, vicarious copyright infringement, Digital Millennium Copyright Act violation, trade dress infringement and misappropriation.
According to the firm's statement, Sheil, 22, successfully motioned to dismiss three of Gifford's original claims in December 2024. Because the defendant already responded to the suit, Gifford, 25, needed Sheil's permission to surrender the case, which she obliged.
In a quote included by AZA, Sheil celebrated how the lawsuit's outcome might help protect creators from similar situations in the first place.
"This was about more than just me. This sets a precedent that young influencers can fight back and not give in to bullying,' said Sheil in the AZA statement. 'Ms. Gifford tried to intimidate me into leaving this industry. But she failed and the truth prevailed.'
Gifford's social media content centers around her home, fashion and the "must-have" items she finds on Amazon. Her posts consistently maintain a neutral-toned vibe, with content showcasing shades of brown and tan hues.
"I think I feel more calm in neutral spaces,' Gifford told The Verge in late November. 'Now my favorite color is beige," she added, which explains the hashtag she'll occasionally use on her content (#sadbeigehome). "It is a sad beige home, and I like it."
Like Gifford, Sheil made her name curating content that aligns with the beige aesthetic, and she regularly posts about her neutral-toned outfits, home decor and makeup routine.
"It's definitely very calming,' Sheil said of her decor when speaking with The Verge, who visited the Texas-based influencer for an interview a few days prior to meeting up with Gifford in her Minneapolis home. "I just want it to all be cohesive and plain."
According to the original filing from April 2024, which was obtained by PEOPLE, Gifford's lawsuit stated that she had been curating her "brand identity" and "credibility" online for five years. She claimed to have become known for her promotion of Amazon products, like apparel and household goods. She has "grown her business into a multi-thousand dollar operation," her lawsuit states.
Gifford and Sheil met in person in December 2022 with the intent to support each other's businesses, per the filing. It continues to state that after they got together in January 2023, Gifford blocked Sheil from viewing her content.
In August 2024, four months after Gifford's initial filing, attorneys for Sheil asked the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas to dismiss claims brought forth against her. Per the court documents, Sheil denied "every allegation" in the complaint.
"Sheil has never infringed on any work of Gifford's, because Sheil's work is independently developed, does not use anything belonging to Gifford, and is not based on anything posted by Gifford," the court document reads.
The response issued by Sheil's attorney claimed that the case stemmed from "jealousy." The documents note that when the two creators first met, Sheil was "younger and more successful on certain social media platforms that Gifford had not yet maximized."
The filings allege that "it was Gifford who asked Sheil" content-related questions, but Sheil did not seek out "a meritless lawsuit" claiming that Gifford "stole her likeness," read the court document
Sheil's legal team emphasized "the very nature" of the fashion and influencer industries: "Similar influencer content creators collaborate, adopt, and evolve on trends and looks to promote products to their audience and followers."
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