Bourdin’s Lawyer gives out details on lawsuit
In the latest issue of French magazine Photo, there is an interesting article on the Madonna/Bourdin lawsuit. Aside the obvious comparation between Guy Bourdin‘s photos and the Hollywood video, the magazine presents an interview with Samuel Bourdin‘s lawyer, John Koagel, who gives out more details on what kind of compensation his client wants.
Photo: How did it all began?
Koagel: The story started last July, in France. A friend of Samuel Bourdin was watching tv one night and he happened to see Madonna‘s video for Hollywood. He immediately called Samuel Bourdin in the United States and he as well watched the video. It was clear to him that, the video it’s way more than a simple homage.
Photo: Did Madonna and Mondino asked to be authorized from the sons of Guy Bourdin?
Koagel: Not at all.
Photo: How can you say it’s not a simple homage from Mondino, who is an author that might have been inspired by the work of someone that is very well known and whose work is exhibited in museums?
Koagel:
It’s cristal clear it’s not an homage if you watch both versions of the video.
Inspiration means that you take the original concept and by using your own artistic conceptions you give new strenght to it. This is not the case. Here, you get the impression that it’s just a copy, a vulgar imitation, a remake of the original in which the actors play the same part and act the same poses and the director recreates the same atmospheare, the same light, and uses the same objects.
Bourdin’s son and his lawyer calculated what they think it’s the right compensation asking $150.000 for each image used in the video. They have found 12 Bourdin inspired “situations” in the main video and an additional scene in the Remix Video.
The final demand is $1.600.000 for the use of 13 images and they also ask for the name of Guy Bourdin to be included in both versions of the video.
The case is discussed in late November or early December.
Source: Photo
Article: The Immaculate for Madonna Tribe