The Moscow Arbitration Court has partially ruled in favor of the plaintiff in a case involving Sergei Shnurov, the frontman of the Leningrad group, who was accused of using a photographer’s image of the Russian SJ-100 aircraft in a music video without permission. The ruling marks a partial victory for the photographer and highlights ongoing tensions between artists and rights holders in the digital age.
According to court records, the session related to this dispute occurred on August 15, and it was carefully documented as part of the case file. The photographer, Alexander Popov, filed the lawsuit at the Moscow Arbitration Court asserting that his photo had been used in the clip by the band led by Shnurov, without obtaining the necessary authorization or rights for its use.
Popov sought compensation of 1.4 million rubles, a figure that he argued reflected not only the license fee for the image but also damages tied to copyright infringement and the professional costs incurred during legal proceedings. The organization Anti-Pirate Technologies, which represents the interests of rights holders in this matter, stated that the case centers on the unauthorized use of Popov’s shot of the SSJ100 aircraft in the video titled “Our Economy.”
Earlier reports had indicated that a preliminary hearing had been scheduled for early July, with Popov’s legal team preparing to present their case and outline the basis for damages. The plaintiff’s side emphasized that the requested amount covered both the value of the rights and the costs associated with pursuing the claim through the arbitration process.
In the broader context of intellectual property enforcement in Russia, this case reflects a growing scrutiny of how images and branded content are used in music videos and other media. The parties have engaged in a legal process that could set a precedent for how similar disputes are resolved in the future, particularly when a visual asset is closely tied to a well-known aircraft model and a recognizable corporate image. This decision also underscores the responsibilities of performers and producers to secure clear permissions before employing third-party visuals in commercial projects, regardless of the medium involved. [citation for context: industry reports on rights enforcement in Russia, attribution to sector analyses]
Observers note that the case has drawn attention not only from industry insiders but also from fans who recognize the image as part of the band’s artistic presentation. The arbitration proceedings will continue as both sides present further evidence and legal arguments regarding liability, damages, and the appropriate remedy under applicable copyright laws. Timelines for a final ruling have yet to be announced, but the outcome could influence how similar creative collaborations are navigated in the music scene going forward. [citation for context: regional IP law coverage, attribution to legal journals]