Rihanna Suing Topshop For $5 Million?
Action taken over 'unauthorised' T-shirts bearing her image...
Rihanna is reportedly suing Topshop for $5 million (£3.29m).
According to the New York Post, the singer is taking legal action against the store for selling T-shirts that allegedly feature an image of her face without her permission.
RiRi’s team are said to have been involved in legal action against the retailer for many months but negotiations to settle the case have so far proved unsuccessful. As such, the Diamonds singer has now instructed global law firm Reed Smith to file the case in London.
A source from RiRi's camp told the publication: "Rihanna's management asked Topshop a number of times to stop selling her image and were told, 'We do what we want'.
"They buy the pictures from a photographer, but they do not pay the artist licensing fees. Unfortunately, UK law does not protect the artist.
"What is most offensive for Rihanna is that they basically told her, 'Go to hell. We don't care. We are going to continue selling you'. Topshop is now in the United States."
Rihanna is believed to be taking legal action out of principle.
"Even though the UK laws don't protect the artist, she has decided to move forward and sue Topshop," continued the source.
"She has spent almost $1 million in litigation at this point. She says it's the principle, and wants to make a statement about it. They are taking advantage of artists. It is just exploitation. What they are doing is wrong."
A spokesperson at Topshop said: "This issue is related to a T-shirt provided to Topshop by a third-party supplier. We are aware it is the subject of litigation.
"The amount of damages sought has not been articulated anywhere in the claimant's document."
Rihanna has yet to comment on the situation.
Earlier this week, Rihanna appeared in a video discussing her latest fashion range for River Island.