NYC photographer sues producers of Broadway musical ‘Fela!’ for copyright infringement

NYC photographer sues ‘Fela!’ producers

NEW YORK — A New York City photographer claims one of her images is being used without her consent as a backdrop in the Tony award-winning Broadway musical “Fela!”

Marilyn Nance is asking $150,000 for copyright infringement. She’s filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court against the show’s producers.

The photo is of musician Fela Kuti’s nightclub in Lagos, Nigeria. The musical is about the late Afro-beat Nigerian superstar.

Nance’s photo also appears on the show’s souvenir material.

The producers include Jay-Z and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Their spokesman says they’ve tried but weren’t able to resolve the dispute.

Spokesman Richard Kornberg says they’re in the process of replacing the image.