According to The Hollywood Reporter, the legal action by New York-based illustrator and designer Brent Elliott White claims he has “created artwork and characters over time for Megadeth that have become an integral part of the band’s identity” and was contacted about this album in early 2020; the two entities didn’t sign a written contract at the time, according to the complaint, and the concept phase involved multiple revisions and edits and hundreds of hours of work.
By April 2021, the band had chosen a concept for the cover for "The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead!" and asked White to create art for an EP release; more than a year later, the artist states that Megadeth’s manager asked him for additional renderings of the artwork for stage decorations for an upcoming tour, and that led White to advise management that he didn’t have a contract and hadn’t been paid.
Megadeth released their sixteenth studio record in September of 2022.
White is suing Megadeth, UMG and others for copyright infringement and is asserting multiple claims under New York’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, which requires a written contract for work valued at $800 or more, sets standards for the timing of payment and prohibits other behavior like dropping pay rates and retaliation.
White is asking the court for an injunction that would stop Megadeth and UMG from using the artwork and is seeking damages and disgorgement of profits.
You can read the full lawsuit filing at The Hollywood Reporter.
This week, Megadeth announced plans to livestream their first-ever performance from the legendary Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan on February 27.
You can pick up the new album here.
See also:
Megadeth to livestream first Budokan concert performance
Megadeth announce summer European tour dates
Megadeth premiere Killing Time video
Megadeth preview Killing Time video premiere
Search Megadeth at hennemusic
