8legs: Bert stern

#1 out of 1

Marilyn Monroe’s final photo shoot weeks before her death sparks legal battle—as auction house makes nearly $1M off negatives

The dispute centers on Heritage Auctions' sale of Bert Stern negatives from Marilyn Monroe's final photo session for over $900,000.
The Stern family claims the auction catalog copied hundreds of photos to recreate the Monroe session in promotion of the sale.
Shannah Stern alleges the estate was not authorized to authorize a sale of the Monroe negatives.
Heritage Auctions says film negatives and related prints are commonly bought and sold without transferring the original creator's copyrights.
The case remains in ongoing litigation, with separate actions in Manhattan Federal Court and Manhattan Supreme Court.
The auction house promoted the catalog online and in print as part of its December sale of the negatives.
Bert Stern's 'The Last Sitting' session occurred about six weeks before Monroe's death in 1962.
The widow seeks damages and a court order to reveal buyers and profits from the catalog sale.
Heritage Auctions stated they respect copyright interests and provided a defense about the nature of resale.
The Monroe family is involved in a broader dispute over ownership and control of iconic imagery.

Vote 0