Contemporary artist Daniel Arsham has filed a lawsuit against HYBE America, its subsidiary Quality Control Music Publishing (QCM), and rapper Quavo for allegedly using his artwork without permission in a promotional video. The legal action was filed on March 31, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York .
Lawsuit Alleges Copyright Infringement and Publicity Rights Violation
Arsham claims his 2018 sculpture, Quartz Eroded 1961 Ferrari GT, was prominently featured in Quavo’s Back to the Basics 2025 video without his consent. The 45-second clip, posted on Quavo’s Instagram and TikTok in December 2024, shows the rapper performing in front of the artwork, which is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office .
HYBE’s Alleged Involvement and Legal Claims
The lawsuit names HYBE America, QCM, Quavo (legal name Quavious Keyate Marshall), and five unnamed individuals as defendants. Arsham alleges that HYBE America was either directly or indirectly involved in distributing the infringing content and failed to act despite receiving cease-and-desist letters in December 2024 and January 2025 .
Arsham’s complaint includes four legal claims:
Direct copyright infringement – Unauthorized use of his copyrighted sculpture.
Vicarious infringement – HYBE and QCM allegedly benefited from the unauthorized use.
Contributory infringement – Defendants facilitated the infringement.
Violation of publicity rights – Unlawful use of Arsham’s name and reputation for commercial gain under New York Civil Rights Law .
Artist’s Reputation and Financial Harm
Daniel Arsham is a globally recognized artist known for his eroded sculptures blending decay and luxury. His collaborations include brands like Dior, Adidas, Porsche, and Tiffany & Co. He argues that the unauthorized use of his work caused reputational damage and financial losses, as the defendants avoided licensing fees .
Despite being tagged in Quavo’s social media posts, Arsham states he was never contacted for permission. He seeks monetary damages, disgorgement of profits, and a permanent injunction to block further use of the video .
HYBE and Quavo’s Silence
As of April 2025, neither HYBE America nor Quavo’s team has publicly responded to the lawsuit. A jury trial has been formally requested .
