“In a culture in which we are trying to uphold consent as one of the highest values, an image of a child naked that he didn’t consent to should cause people concern.”Īnother entertainment litigator with experience in invasion-of-privacy and right-of-publicity matters tells THR, “Depending on which federal judge this case is assigned to downtown, plaintiff’s counsel is likely going to be in for a very rough ride. “Our understanding is there was no release,” he says. As to the right of privacy, you can waive it by your actions or by his parents’ actions in allowing him to be photographed.”Įlden’s attorney James Marsh, whose practice focuses on victims of sex abuse, insists permission wasn’t given. “But, if is there is no release, it does not mean he has a claim for child pornography. “I think it is highly unlikely that a record company would use a photograph for an album cover without verifying the existence of a release signed by the parents,” he says. 'Stranger Things' Star Finn Wolfhard Prepping His Next Nirvana Coverīryan Sullivan, an entertainment litigation partner at Early Sullivan, says the suit is “ridiculous,” and that even if there wasn’t a written agreement, which he doubts, Elden’s claims are weak. Elden alleges the image depicts him “like a sex worker - grabbing for a dollar bill that is positioned dangling from a fishhook in front of his nude body with his penis explicitly displayed.” He also claims he had a “reasonable expectation that the images depicting him would remain private” and maintains his legal guardians didn’t sign a release authorizing the use of the images. On Tuesday, Spencer Elden filed a lawsuit in California federal court against Nirvana, Universal Music Group, Warner Records, music mogul David Geffen, the band members (even the late Kurt Cobain via his estate and three individuals who oversee it, including his widow Courtney Love), the photographer and others. While it makes for splashy headlines, attorneys consulted by The Hollywood Reporter say the complaint will likely be dismissed early. Photographer Weddle shot 18 frames and Spencer’s parents were paid $200.The naked swimming baby on the iconic Nirvana Nevermind cover is now a 30-year-old man - and he’s suing just about everyone connected to the album with claims that the photo amounts to child pornography and an invasion of his privacy. Peterson/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images Nirvana: Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain, & Krist Novoselic.Ĭharles J. You hold him up really close to your face. “You blow in the kid's face and it creates a gag reflex. Spencer’s dad Richard was actually a lifeguard, so he knew what he was doing: “There's tricks to it,” he told CNN in 2008. I was just born so they went down to the local pool and threw me in the drink.” Spencer Elden was just four months old when he featured on Nirvnana's Nevermind cover.Įlden told Buzzfeed in 2011: “He called up my dad saying, ‘They’re paying me to take this picture of a baby underwater and I don’t have a baby’.