Latest news with #Gifford
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Influencer drops lawsuit alleging rival creator copied her videos
Influencer Sydney Nicole Gifford said in a TikTok video on Thursday that she has withdrawn her lawsuit against fellow content creator Alyssa Sheil, ending a case that had become closely watched over its possible ramifications for the broader internet content ecosystem. The move comes more than a year after Gifford first sued Sheil, claiming that Sheil had not just stolen the look and style of her videos but sometimes copied them down to the shot. 'She would change her hair soon after I changed mine and even got a similar tattoo after I posted mine, so in mirror photos where our faces were covered, it all of a sudden looked even more similar to me with that tattoo,' Gifford said in her TikTok video. 'I believe her intention was to look so similar to me and copy my posts so similarly so she could profit off my business.' She also clarified her intention was not to sue simply over aesthetics, but rather over alleged 'copyright infringement, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violation, trade dress infringement, misappropriation, and vicarious copyright infringement.' Arguments between influencers copying or stealing content from each other typically play out in the digital court of public opinion and rarely, if ever, make it to the actual judicial system. Aesthetics on social media are recycled and reinterpreted so often that it's nearly impossible to lay claim to owning a look or style online. Gifford's lawsuit sought to take the issue into the courtroom, attempting to apply laws typically used by traditional media to the relatively lax world of influencer content. The look at the heart of the now-dismissed suit is a minimalist, polished style that is sometimes referred to as the 'clean girl' aesthetic. Gifford, whose videos touch on everything from being a mother to fashion and shopping, has amassed more than 956,000 followers between her Instagram and TikTok accounts. Sheil, who posts similar content, has more than 162,000 followers across her Instagram and TikTok. Gifford said she sent many requests for Sheil to stop — from emails to cease-and-desist letters — before suing Sheil in April 2024. Shahmeer Halepota, an attorney for Sheil, said Gifford walked away from the case with no settlement or financial compensation. 'Ms. Gifford's surrender and settlement for $0 confirms that her allegations were meritless and her claims of inventorship were worthless,' Halepota said. Thomas Frashier, another attorney for Sheil, said his client has set a 'major precedent' for influencers and social media personalities. 'This is a huge win for content creators everywhere who shouldn't have to fear about being bullied out of the industry by the threat of meritless lawsuits like this one,' he said. However, Gifford's attorney Kirsten Kumar said her client's case was not without merit, but that she simply didn't have the bandwidth to continue with the litigation. 'I have been working with Sydney since nearly the beginning of this case,' Kumar said. 'I know how strongly she feels about her claims and that the decision to stop litigating is not a reflection of their merit. But priorities can change: Since filing suit, she has gotten married, welcomed her first child and moved out of state.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Influencer drops lawsuit alleging rival creator copied her videos
Influencer Sydney Nicole Gifford said in a TikTok video on Thursday that she has withdrawn her lawsuit against fellow content creator Alyssa Sheil, ending a case that had become closely watched over its possible ramifications for the broader internet content ecosystem. The move comes more than a year after Gifford first sued Sheil, claiming that Sheil had not just stolen the look and style of her videos but sometimes copied them down to the shot. 'She would change her hair soon after I changed mine and even got a similar tattoo after I posted mine, so in mirror photos where our faces were covered, it all of a sudden looked even more similar to me with that tattoo,' Gifford said in her TikTok video. 'I believe her intention was to look so similar to me and copy my posts so similarly so she could profit off my business.' She also clarified her intention was not to sue simply over aesthetics, but rather over alleged 'copyright infringement, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violation, trade dress infringement, misappropriation, and vicarious copyright infringement.' Arguments between influencers copying or stealing content from each other typically play out in the digital court of public opinion and rarely, if ever, make it to the actual judicial system. Aesthetics on social media are recycled and reinterpreted so often that it's nearly impossible to lay claim to owning a look or style online. Gifford's lawsuit sought to take the issue into the courtroom, attempting to apply laws typically used by traditional media to the relatively lax world of influencer content. The look at the heart of the now-dismissed suit is a minimalist, polished style that is sometimes referred to as the 'clean girl' aesthetic. Gifford, whose videos touch on everything from being a mother to fashion and shopping, has amassed more than 956,000 followers between her Instagram and TikTok accounts. Sheil, who posts similar content, has more than 162,000 followers across her Instagram and TikTok. Gifford said she sent many requests for Sheil to stop — from emails to cease-and-desist letters — before suing Sheil in April 2024. Shahmeer Halepota, an attorney for Sheil, said Gifford walked away from the case with no settlement or financial compensation. 'Ms. Gifford's surrender and settlement for $0 confirms that her allegations were meritless and her claims of inventorship were worthless,' Halepota said. Thomas Frashier, another attorney for Sheil, said his client has set a 'major precedent' for influencers and social media personalities. 'This is a huge win for content creators everywhere who shouldn't have to fear about being bullied out of the industry by the threat of meritless lawsuits like this one,' he said. However, Gifford's attorney Kirsten Kumar said her client's case was not without merit, but that she simply didn't have the bandwidth to continue with the litigation. 'I have been working with Sydney since nearly the beginning of this case,' Kumar said. 'I know how strongly she feels about her claims and that the decision to stop litigating is not a reflection of their merit. But priorities can change: Since filing suit, she has gotten married, welcomed her first child and moved out of state.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'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." Read the original article on People
Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Kathie Lee Gifford uncovers secret to thriving in her 70s
Kathie Lee Gifford reflected on how she is embracing life in her 70s. The 71-year-old former "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" host serves as an ambassador for QVC's Quintessential 50, which is "a collective of inspiring women over 50 who show that life only gets better with age," according to a press release for the shopping network. On May 14, Gifford attended QVC's TikTok Super Brand Day, an event that marked the second year of QVC's Age of Possibility platform. During an interview with Fox News Digital at the event, Gifford shared her thoughts on what the Age of Possibility meant to her. "Maybe something different than it is to a lot of women who think 'Are there any possibilities left for me?'" Gifford said. "And they have a sense of despair — some of them — a little sense of well, 'What am I here for anymore?'" she continued. "But I've always had purpose in my life. I've been solid and just steadfast. I've tried to be a believer in Almighty God, and if I wake up every morning, that means — I've got a pulse. That means he has got a purpose for me and that's what I try to do is listen to his voice. Figure out what that purpose is, and go about it holding his hand. "And not getting ahead of Him because I can't do it without Him," Gifford added. "I can't breathe without Him, and never had a day in my life when I thought I could. I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that I came to that kind of faith early on in life. I don't know what I would have turned out to be in Hollywood if I hadn't been rooted in my faith. Right, wrong, immoral, moral. I mean, it saved me from a lot of despair." "The God of the Way" author explained how she had approached each new decade of her life with purpose and gratitude. WATCH: KATHIE LEE GIFFORD SHARES SECRET TO THRIVING IN HER 70S "When I turned 50, I still had little kids," the mother of Cody, 35, and Cassidy, 31, said. "And I was busy. I was still working with Regis. And then even at 60, I was working with Regis," Gifford continued. "And then I turned 71 this past year. " "If you live in the past, you're gonna die there." "I know it's hard to believe," she quipped. "There are things in my body I'm not happy about. But I've got a brand new book coming out. I've got three movies I'm writing and producing with my son. What else am I doing? I've got two new grandchildren coming. I will have five under the age of three in three years." "I mean, if you live in the past, you're gonna die there. If you just concentrate on what you've lost in your life, you're going to miss out on what you still have. And God wants you to be grateful. Not enough grateful people in this world, you know? There just aren't." WATCH: KATHIE LEE GIFFORD REFLECTS ON EMBRACING LIFE WITH GRATITUDE AT ANY AGE Gifford launched her career as an actress, making her television debut with a guest appearance in an episode of the soap opera "Days of Our Lives." She gained wider recognition when she starred in the musical sitcom "Hee Haw Honeys" from 1978 to 1979. The series was a spin-off of the long-running variety show "Hee Haw." She became a household name when she began hosting "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" alongside the late Regis Philbin, Gifford hosted the hit morning show from 1985 to 2000 and received 10 joint Daytime Emmy Award nominations for outstanding talk show host with Philbin. Gifford went on to host the morning show "Today" with Hoda Kotb for 11 years, from 2008 to 2019. The duo earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for outstanding informative talk show host, winning in 2019. She is also an accomplished playwright, producer, singer-songwriter, author and actress. Gifford has starred in numerous TV shows and movies during her career. She has written five musicals, including Broadway's "Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson," which starred Carolee Carmello. In 2013, Carmello received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the show. Gifford has also starred on Broadway, playing the role of Carol Burnett in Stephen Sondheim's "Putting It Together" and portraying Miss Hannigan in "Annie." As an author, Gifford has penned a number of books, including five New York Times bestsellers as well as children's books While speaking with Fox News Digital, Gifford shared how she believes that her positive attitude and hard work has been the key to her success. WATCH: KATHIE LEE GIFFORD RECALLS HOW SHE BEGAN WORKING WITH QVC "There are a lot of people who feel entitled. I was never entitled to anything," she said. "But when I got a job, I was grateful. And I was never the prettiest girl that got the job, I was never the best singer, I was never the best dancer, I was never the best anything, but I was the best worker. And I had the best attitude. I was a producer's dream." In addition to Gifford, QVC's TikTok Super Brand Day was also attended by other returning Q50 ambassadors, including former tennis star Billie Jean King, TV personality Stacy London and entrepreneur Barbara "Babs" Costello, as well as new ambassadors "Today" co-host Hoda Kotb, philanthropist Kathy Hilton and "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum Jennie Garth. While attending the event, Gifford and Kotb reunited on the red carpet. During her interview with Fox News Digital, Gifford recalled how she came to work with QVC. "They called me years ago when I was on with Regis and asked me to do a product line for them," she said. "So, I came out with some sort of a beauty product, I think it was a skin cream and a really, really good one. And they said, 'Now you know, you might have to stay there and come back every 20 minutes or every couple hours and do it in the middle of the night, and I said, 'OK, let's see how it goes.'" "We sold out," Gifford recalled. "We sold $5 million worth of it in five minutes. I went, 'Oh.'" "Now, that didn't happen every time I went to do QVC, but it was a nice big step first," she added with a smile. Since then, Gifford said she has worked with QVC on and off over the years. "They're an amazing organization," she said. "Technically, they're superb and nice, nice, nice people. And you know me, I don't hang out with mean ones. I do not do it."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Victim of fatal New Hampshire crash identified, dump truck driver charged with DWI
The victim of a fatal crash that occurred in Ossipee, New Hampshire, on Friday has been identified. 80-year-old Dorothy Marshall of Ossipee was killed after her car collided with a Mack dump truck on Route 28. According to police, around noon on Friday, May 16, Ossipee officers were dispatched to Route 28 for reports of a crash. An initial investigation revealed that a 2005 Mack dump truck, driven by Robert Gifford, 54, of Rochester, collided with a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, which was being driven by Marshall. As a result of the crash, additional assistance from the State Police and a Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (C.A.R.) Unit responded to assist in the investigation. The investigation resulted in the findings that Gifford had been traveling Northbound on Route 28 when he lost control of the truck, causing it to roll over and collide with Marshall, who was traveling in the opposite direction. Gifford was arrested and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated. He is currently being held on bail and pending an arraignment on Monday, May 19. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
