Daniel Arsham Takes on Quavo in Copyright Case Over Use of Sculpture

Artist Daniel Arsham has waged a striking new lawsuit, accusing Quavo and his record label Quality Control Music, along with parent company HYBE America, of copyright infringement. In the complaint that he filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 31, Arsham alleges that the rapper and co. used his sculpture Quartz Eroded 1961 Ferrari GT (2018) without permission in a promotional video and subsequent social media posts, thereby, engaging in copyright infringement and a violation of his right of publicity.

In the newly-filed complaint, Arsham maintains that Quavo’s “Back to the Basics 2025” promotional video unlawfully incorporates his Ferrari-centric sculpture, which is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Specifically, he claims that the “infringing video features Quavo performing in front of the artwork,” which is featured “prominently” throughout the 45-second video. In addition to posting the video on his Instagram and TikTok accounts in December 2024, the lawsuit maintains that Quavo posted still images from the video that featured the sculpture on his Instagram and tagged Arsham’s account, a move aimed at “capitaliz[ing] on” Arsham’s name and reputation for his “own financial gain.”

Arsham – who is known for his “signature ‘eroded’ fictional archeological technique,” as well as his collaborations with the likes of Tiffany & Co., Rimowa, and various music industry figures, including Pharrell and Jay-Z – asserts that the defendants never sought or obtained a license to use his artwork or likeness. Despite cease-and-desist letters sent to Quality Control and HYBE in December 2024 and January 2025, Arsham asserts that the infringing content has remained live and publicly distributed across platforms.

“By failing to obtain Mr. Arsham’s authorization to use the Artwork or to compensate Mr. Arsham for the use,” the complaint states that the defendants “have avoided payment of license fees and other financial costs associated with obtaining permission to exploit the artwork, as well as the restrictions that Mr. Arsham is entitled to and would place on any such exploitation as conditions for Mr. Arsham’s permission, including the right to deny permission.”

With the foregoing in mind, Arsham sets out claims of direct copyright infringement, vicarious and contributory copyright infringement, and violation of his right of publicity under New York Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51. He is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent the defendants from continuing to distribute the allegedly infringing content, along with monetary damages, disgorgement of profits, and enhanced damages for willful infringement. 

The case is Arsham v. Quality Control Music Publishing, LLC et al, 1:25-cv-02668 (SDNY).