Model Sues Cosmetics Firm For Using Her Photos Without Permission

February 23, 2023

A commercial model has taken a hair products company to court for allegedly using her pictures without her consent.

Makena Nyambura, in a suit filed at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, claims Human Hair Center used her images on its Instagram page to promote its products.

“Sometime in June 2022, I was perplexed to find my images splashed on the respondent’s Instagram page (Human Hair Center) without my consent and the same was used to advertise some hair products Human Hair Center sells,” the petition reads in part.

Nyambura says the sole motive of the Nairobi-based hair extensions supplier was to market its hair product which in turn would yield more profit for the respondent.

The model argues that Human Hair Centre exploited her and invaded her privacy by using her mages without her knowledge.

“The Respondent’s use of my image has resulted in people assuming that I was working in partnership with the respondent as Brand Ambassador which was not the case. My anger stemmed from the fact that the respondent had sought to exploit my image for commercial purposes without my knowledge,” she stated in the petition.

Nyambura also noted that she involved her then-employer New Level Collection Limited in the matter.

“I also encouraged my employer to ask the respondent to pay me for use of my image which is usually my source of income. Immediately the Respondent received the complaint it pulled down the said images.” She said.

The model also added that after she pushed her employer to demand her pay from the respondent, her employment was terminated.

The matter will be mentioned on March 29, 2023.



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