Military Attire Encouraged.'Īnother five years would pass before the photographer saw Menjos' Facebook post, which triggered the lawsuit alleging Menjos 'knowingly' used a photo without permission to make money off a bar night. Shot ration specials all night! Get locked in the Brig. Copyright Office in 2015, which makes it unlawful for anyone to use without permission.īut two years later, the lawsuit claims, Menjos posted the photo to its Facebook page as part of an ad for an event titled: 'Military Might Night. The picture at issue was taken June 26, 2013, of JR Bronson, a male model partially dressed with both arms clasped behind his back.Īccording to the lawsuit, the photo was registered with the U.S. District Court, photographer Michael Stokes alleges Menjos harmed his reputation as an internationally acclaimed artist who captures images of wounded veterans, and the male form. In the copyright infringement lawsuit filed in U.S. 'The advertisement created by the defendant not only exploits an American service uniform for liquor sales but also implies patriotism and a celebration of country,' the lawsuit states.