Photographer Laura Loana V has publicly accused Sleep Token of reusing one of her concert photos without authorization for official band merchandise.
In an Instagram post shared on December 18, Loana alleged that an image she shot during Sleep Token’s 2023 performance at Copenhell Festival was later repurposed for a limited-edition Sleep Token “Ritual Coin.” The item was reportedly sold at the band’s 2024 show at Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany, and is currently listed on the band’s UK webstore for £50 (approximately $67 USD at the time of writing).
According to Loana, the photo was originally taken as part of an editorial assignment for a magazine, and she says she never signed any agreement granting licensing or commercial usage rights for merchandise.
The allegation quickly gained traction across social media, prompting a response from the band’s management company, Rico Management. However, as of publication, that response has not been made public.
Fellow photographer Daniel Lønberg also weighed in, claiming he experienced a similar issue involving his own Copenhell photos. In a video posted earlier this year, Lønberg said one of his images was allegedly sourced from Tumblr by a production company and later used for merchandise without proper clearance. He noted that the dispute was ultimately resolved after the image was deemed “inspiration” rather than a direct reproduction.
Loana’s statement also referenced a recent controversy involving tattoo artist Emily-Jayne (InkITEJ), whose Instagram account was previously removed following a copyright strike issued by Rico Management over Sleep Token-inspired tattoo designs. After significant backlash from fans and accusations of overreach toward independent artists, the claim was later reversed.
These latest accusations have reignited criticism aimed at Sleep Token’s management, with multiple fan accounts alleging that Rico Management has issued takedown notices against fan-created content in recent months.
Loana shared the following statement in her post:
“Edit: Management finally got in contact, so let’s see what solution they will have to this.
This year I found out the photo I took in 2023 at @copenhell festival (on an editorial assignment for a magazine) was used for merch in 2024, without my permission. I have not signed any contract granting anyone the licensing rights to these photos.
I know a lot of you loved these photos and I am very grateful for the support, but now I need some help sharing this so I can get to management. 🖤 I have sent emails and many DMs on social media, but I haven’t been successful in establishing direct communication with the band.
I’ve only been in contact with one person involved with the coin, and I was called aggressive for saying the settlement they offered was unfair and unacceptable. I’m hoping to reach band management directly.
As a small creator, it’s disheartening to pour passion into your work only for it to be used for profit and dismissed. It also appears this may not be an isolated case.
Considering the number of copyright issues involving small creators—fan artists, tattoo artists, and others—it’s worth creating awareness around the irony of this situation.
Please share and help out.”
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The Mosh Network bs I call bs
I land on both sides of this kind of argument.
In one hand I understand the photographers side, but the other hand I understand the photographer might not have gotten permission from Sleep Token to publish images of them anyways so it’s like “why are you allowed to profit off of my image but I’m not allowed to profit off of my own image you took of me?”
Mason Solimine They don’t need permission. You aren’t entitled to privacy in a public space.
Kaydan Howison okay I mean more on a moral level it’s like “well if you can take a picture of me then I should be able to use it”.
Not talking about the legality or permissions really.
Mason Solimine its the graphic designers fault who used the photo as reference. Photographer got double ripped off.
Ryan Hogle Meh. Disagree. Profit off my image, I have a right to use it too.
If he paid for his ticket, if he followed photography guidlines at the show, its HIS photo. Thats like saying “i was out in public and you took a photo of me, i own that photo now.” If that were the case, bands would never purchase the photos taken by photographers and they wouldnt pay photographers to come take photos for them. Law is law.
Ryan Hogle yeah idc. Take a photo of me I have a right to use it.
Ryan Hogle don’t bother. What he just say is pretty easy for him just to Google, but he already said he doesn’t care, so there you have it.
The photographer obviously wants to be known and embarrassing themselves is the only way they can do it
That’s some stupid BS. It’s her work and the coinmaker stole it, then tried to get out of his actions cheap
Sleep Token I’m listening to my Will Smith cd…
It’s his face tho so 🤷♂️ fuck off I guess