Latest news with #Sheil
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Influencer Sydney Nicole Gifford said in a TikTok video on Thursday that she has withdrawn her lawsuit against fellow content creator Alyssa Sheil, ending a case that had become closely watched over its possible ramifications for the broader internet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
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Queensland university apologises for ‘hurt' and ‘offence' caused at anti-racism event
The head of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has issued an 'unreserved apology' for events at an anti-racism symposium last month that caused offence, adding the institute behind it would 'not be holding events like this in the future'. Appearing before a federal parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism on university campuses on Wednesday, the vice-chancellor of QUT, Prof Margaret Sheil, was grilled over why the event went ahead despite concerns from community members about alleged 'anti-Jewish' speakers. The university's Carumba Institute held the national symposium on unifying antiracist research at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 23 and 24 January. Related: Billionaire's record $100m donation to University of Sydney aims to increase diversity in Stem sector Sheil began her opening statement acknowledging that: 'At the debate, external speakers showed slides that caused offence to a number of people.' Sheil said she 'unreservedly' apologised for the 'hurt and concern' the events caused to QUT staff, students and the community. At a comedy event advertised as 'the greatest race debate' and as the official 'pre-event' to the symposium, a cartoon image of a character dubbed 'Dutton's Jew' was shown as part of one speaker's presentation. The slide, presented by the head of the Jewish Council of Australia, Sarah Schwartz, criticised what she described as stereotyping of the Jewish community by the Coalition. It has been the subject of widespread critical coverage in some media. Sheil did not name the speakers she was referring to, or identify the slides. On Tuesday, QUT commissioned the former judge John Middleton KC to conduct an independent review into the symposium. Sheil told the inquiry she intended to accept the recommendations in full and would share the findings with the chair of the parliamentary committee, Labor MP Josh Burns, pointed to correspondence to Sheil on 17 January from the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism, 'raising concerns about the upcoming conference'. 'Some of the concerns … [were] around the speakers at the conference who have a demonstrated history of engaging in anti-Jewish racism, including the spreading of disinformation, disparaging stereotypes about Jews, the doxing of Jewish individuals … and calls for the elimination of the Jewish state,' he said. 'How did you respond to that?' Sheil said she 'became aware' of the correspondence when she returned from leave on 20 January. She said the university advised the organisers to shut down any form of hate speech should it occur, while also bolstering security. She told the inquiry no speakers were uninvited. 'Unfortunately, they didn't adhere to that,' Burns alleged, adding an award had been given at the symposium to the artist and editor Matt Chun, who Burns alleged had been involved in the doxing of Jewish creatives last year. The inquiry also heard the deputy chair, Coalition MP Henry Pike, name Chelsea Watego, the head of the Carumba Institute. He alleged that she said a leaked WhatsApp group of Jewish creatives was 'worth a read' and led a 'shame chant' at the symposium after someone leaked Schwartz's slide to Murdoch newspapers. Sheil said she 'greatly value[d]' Watego's scholarship and work to address and eliminate racism and the alleged chant needed to be 'verified and assessed'. But she said she was not in a position to comment on allegations about individuals and would provide all relevant material to the review. 'There are many, many things about this that I feel very sad about and I personally find unacceptable,' Sheil said. 'I am sadder and disappointed that these events overshadowed an important academic symposium on a very serious issue, especially as it relates to the lived experience of racism of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,' she said. 'It is critical we learn from what happened to ensure that such a similar incident doesn't happen again … the Carumba Institute will not be holding events like this in the future.' Senator Lidia Thorpe told the inquiry she had attended the symposium, which she described as 'terrific' and 'amazing'. She asked Sheil whether she considered that 'conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism undermines genuine efforts to combat racial and religious discrimination'. The vice-chancellor said she sought to respond to how people 'interpret and receive criticism'. 'It's not my area of expertise,' she replied. 'I'm a chemist.' Sheil said from 7 October 2023 until the end of last year, the university had received no formal complaints relating to antisemitism. There had been 11 complaints about racial discrimination in the same period.
The Guardian
05-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Queensland university apologises for ‘hurt' and ‘offence' caused at anti-racism event
The head of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has issued an 'unreserved apology' for events at an anti-racism symposium last month that caused offence, adding the institute behind it would 'not be holding events like this in the future'. Appearing before a federal parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism on university campuses on Wednesday, the vice-chancellor of QUT, Prof Margaret Sheil, was grilled over why the event went ahead despite concerns from community members about alleged 'anti-Jewish' speakers. The university's Carumba Institute held the national symposium on unifying antiracist research at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 23 and 24 January. Sheil began her opening statement acknowledging that: 'At the debate, external speakers showed slides that caused offence to a number of people.' Sheil said she 'unreservedly' apologised for the 'hurt and concern' the events caused to QUT staff, students and the community. At a comedy event advertised as 'the greatest race debate' and as the official 'pre-event' to the symposium, a cartoon image of a character dubbed 'Dutton's Jew' was shown as part of one speaker's presentation. The slide, presented by the head of the Jewish Council of Australia, Sarah Schwartz, criticised what she described as stereotyping of the Jewish community by the Coalition. It has been the subject of widespread critical coverage in some media. Sheil did not name the speakers she was referring to, or identify the slides. On Tuesday, QUT commissioned the former judge John Middleton KC to conduct an independent review into the symposium. Sheil told the inquiry she intended to accept the recommendations in full and would share the findings with the public. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The chair of the parliamentary committee, Labor MP Josh Burns, pointed to correspondence to Sheil on 17 January from the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism, 'raising concerns about the upcoming conference'. 'Some of the concerns … [were] around the speakers at the conference who have a demonstrated history of engaging in anti-Jewish racism, including the spreading of disinformation, disparaging stereotypes about Jews, the doxing of Jewish individuals … and calls for the elimination of the Jewish state,' he said. 'How did you respond to that?' Sheil said she 'became aware' of the correspondence when she returned from leave on 20 January. She said the university advised the organisers to shut down any form of hate speech should it occur, while also bolstering security. She told the inquiry no speakers were uninvited. 'Unfortunately, they didn't adhere to that,' Burns alleged, adding an award had been given at the symposium to the artist and editor Matt Chun, who Burns alleged had been involved in the doxing of Jewish creatives last year. The inquiry also heard the deputy chair, Coalition MP Henry Pike, name Chelsea Watego, the head of the Carumba Institute. He alleged that she said a leaked WhatsApp group of Jewish creatives was 'worth a read' and led a 'shame chant' at the symposium after someone leaked Schwartz's slide to Murdoch newspapers. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Sheil said she 'greatly value[d]' Watego's scholarship and work to address and eliminate racism and the alleged chant needed to be 'verified and assessed'. But she said she was not in a position to comment on allegations about individuals and would provide all relevant material to the review. 'There are many, many things about this that I feel very sad about and I personally find unacceptable,' Sheil said. 'I am sadder and disappointed that these events overshadowed an important academic symposium on a very serious issue, especially as it relates to the lived experience of racism of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,' she said. 'It is critical we learn from what happened to ensure that such a similar incident doesn't happen again … the Carumba Institute will not be holding events like this in the future.' Senator Lidia Thorpe told the inquiry she had attended the symposium, which she described as 'terrific' and 'amazing'. She asked Sheil whether she considered that 'conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism undermines genuine efforts to combat racial and religious discrimination'. The vice-chancellor said she sought to respond to how people 'interpret and receive criticism'. 'It's not my area of expertise,' she replied. 'I'm a chemist.' Sheil said from 7 October 2023 until the end of last year, the university had received no formal complaints relating to antisemitism. There had been 11 complaints about racial discrimination in the same period.
