Beyoncé has found herself in potential legal trouble following a video display during her recent concert as part of her 'Cowboy Carter' tour. The star commenced this highly anticipated country concert tour with a show in Los Angeles last week. However, footage from her performance has now led to a cease-and-desist letter issued by attorneys representing James Dolan, the owner of Madison Square Garden.
The letter, reported by Page Six, alleges that imagery shown during her concerts, particularly a sequence where a colossal version of Beyoncé is seen interacting with the Las Vegas Sphere—an iconic venue—constituted an 'impermissible use' of intellectual property. The correspondence, authored by Kathleen McCarthy from the law firm King & Spalding, claims that such imagery has resulted in significant harm to the Sphere's reputation and commercial interests. It further asserts that Beyoncé has never visited the venue, highlighting a lack of prior permission for the use of its likeness.
In the video, which was shared by fans, the towering figure of Beyoncé appeared to loom over the Las Vegas skyline, playfully lifting the Sphere as if it were a toy. Dolan's letter demands the immediate removal of this sequence from her shows and prohibits its use in any merchandise, promotional materials, or film adaptations related to the tour. The deadline for compliance has been set for the upcoming Monday, with the potential for 'further action' if Beyoncé does not adhere to these requests.
This legal development follows her second performance at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with three additional shows scheduled in the coming week before a series of performances in major cities, including Chicago, Houston, New York City, and London. Her tour is set to conclude with two shows in Las Vegas later this summer.
Interest in Beyoncé's potential residency at the Las Vegas Sphere has been a topic of speculation. However, previous reports indicate that negotiations for her to undertake a residency at the venue fell through when her request for a two-week shut-down period for rehearsals was declined.
The recent concert showcased not only Beyoncé's performance prowess but also a personal touch, as she introduced her daughters, Blue Ivy, aged 13, and Rumi, aged 7, to the audience. This family moment added an emotional layer to her show amid critiques of her tour's potential being labelled a 'flop.' Despite achieving significant acclaim, including her first Grammy for Album of the Year for 'Cowboy Carter', reports suggest ticket sales for upcoming shows have sparked concerns.
As the tour progresses, Beyoncé continues to attract significant attention, and the implications of the cease-and-desist letter may influence her upcoming performances and any future engagements with the Las Vegas Sphere.
Source: Noah Wire Services