Drake Faces Copyright Lawsuit over “What Did I Miss?” Music video
Drake is currently embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit stemming from his music video for the song “What Did I Miss?” The legal action, filed in United States District Court for the central District of California, alleges unauthorized use of a photographer’s work. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the situation, the claims made, and what you need to know.
The Allegations: A Striking Similarity
Photographer Gabriele Galimberti initiated the lawsuit, accusing Drake of “willful, brazen and extensive unlawful infringement.” Specifically, the suit centers around a scene in the “What Did I miss?” video that closely mirrors a photograph from Galimberti’s acclaimed portrait series, The Ameriguns.
* Galimberti’s photograph depicts a family posed in a swimming pool surrounded by firearms.
* Drake’s music video recreates a similar scene, featuring the rapper standing poolside with several guns visible.
* The lawsuit asserts that Drake and his team used the photograph without consent or permission.
the Core of the Copyright Claim
According to the legal filing, drake’s team created an entire music video scene based on an “unauthorized copy” of Galimberti’s original work. This alleged infringement has caused notable harm to the photographer and the value of his work.
The lawsuit details the potential damage, stating the unauthorized use:
* Diminishes the value of the original photograph.
* Negatively impacts the value of Galimberti’s other photographic works.
* Reduces the potential revenue from licensing his photography.
Context: The “Iceman” Release
Drake released the “What Did I Miss?” music video on July 6 as part of his Iceman YouTube series.The song is anticipated to be a single from his forthcoming Iceman album. This release has now become the focal point of a legal dispute with perhaps significant financial implications.
What Galimberti is Seeking
The photographer is requesting a jury trial to resolve the matter. He is also seeking unspecified damages to compensate for the alleged copyright infringement. The amount of damages will likely be steadfast based on factors like the video’s viewership, the photographer’s lost licensing opportunities, and the extent of the infringement.
Understanding Copyright and Fair Use
Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including photographs. Generally, using copyrighted material without permission is illegal. Though, there are exceptions, such as “fair use,” which allows limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.
* Whether drake’s use of the image falls under fair use will be a key point of contention in the lawsuit.
* Factors considered in fair use cases include the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of the portion used, and the effect of the use on the potential market for the copyrighted work.
Current Status and Next Steps
as of November 13, 2025, representatives for Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG) have been contacted for comment but have not yet issued a public statement. The case will now proceed through the legal process, potentially involving finding, depositions, and ultimately, a trial if a settlement is not reached. You can expect further developments as the case unfolds.
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