Twenty years ago, our headline on this article wouldn’t even make sense. To many, it still won’t today. But in the world of online influence, following too closely could become a problem. We rarely publish “speculative” or “could happen” news, but this is an interesting case that could reshape ideas of copyright and intellectual property. The summary is below followed by the link to the full article from Fast Company.
Sydney Nicole Gifford, a TikTok content creator, is suing fellow influencer Alyssa Sheil, alleging Sheil copied her distinct “neutral, beige and cream aesthetic” after they met to discuss collaboration. Both are Amazon influencers earning commissions through affiliate links. Gifford claims Sheil closely imitated her style, content, and products, causing confusion among viewers. Gifford has reported Sheil for copyright infringement and filed a lawsuit under the DMCA, seeking $150,000 in damages for lost income and mental anguish. The case proceeds in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
