Judge Rules For Harvard In Case of

A judge has dismissed the lawsuit of a woman claiming ownership of images of her ancestors, noting that current U.S. law does not recognize the property rights of a subject in a photograph. The plaintiff, Tamara Lanier, alleged that Harvard University, which currently owns the images, had exploited them for financial gain. Judge Camille F. Sarrouf wrote in part that, “Fully acknowledging the continuing impact slavery has had in the United States, the law, as it currently stands, does not confer a property interest to the subject of a photograph regardless of how objectionable the photograph’s origins may be.” Ms. Lanier had filed her suit in 2019. She plans to appeal. 

Coverage here from the New York TImes.