Notorious B.I.G. Estate Sues Target & Home Depot For Selling Unauthorized Prints Of Iconic Photo

Notorious B.I.G. Estate Sues Target & Home Depot For Selling Unauthorized Prints Of Iconic Photo

The estate of The Notorious B.I.G. and photographer Barron Claiborne are suing Target and Home Depot for selling unauthorized prints of Claiborne’s iconic “The King of New York” photo.

The lawsuit claims the retailers profited from using the late rapper’s image without permission. The photograph, taken just days before Biggie’s tragic death in 1997, shows him wearing a $6 plastic crown, which was later sold for $595,000 at a 2020 Sotheby’s auction. The legal complaint states, “Defendants used Mr. Wallace’s persona, name, image, and likeness… without authorization,” accusing them of exploiting his fame for financial gain. The estate also points to iCanvas for using Biggie’s image without permission since 2015.

Though iCanvas removed some infringing products in 2023, others remain for sale. “Defendants specifically chose to use Mr. Wallace’s persona… to capitalize on their fame and extraordinary financial value,” the lawsuit asserts.