# Copyright lawsuit over Oasis photograph and painting

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/copyright-lawsuit-over-oasis-photograph-and-painting
> Updated: 2026-08-31T19:30:15.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Photographer Justin Thomas has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against artist Elizabeth Peyton, her gallery David Zwirner, and auction house Sotheby’s.

The dispute concerns Peyton’s 1996 painting, ‘Earl’s Court (Liam + Noel)’, which depicts a 1995 photograph taken by Thomas of Oasis founders Liam and Noel Gallagher. Thomas alleges the painting is a “slavish copy” or “slave copy” of his work, reproducing specific elements such as the composition, facial expressions, gestures, and the placement of Liam Gallagher’s rings.

The legal action follows a disagreement regarding licensing fees. Thomas claims that after he agreed to a reduced fee to license the photograph for an auction essay, Peyton’s representatives requested the photo be removed from the materials in an attempt to “hide the origins of the painting.” The painting in question recently sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $1.92 million.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Elizabeth Peyton painting sparks copyright lawsuit over Oasis photograph

Photographer Justin Thomas is suing artist Elizabeth Peyton and Sotheby's, alleging her $1.92 million painting of Oasis members Noel and Liam Gallagher is an unauthorized copy of his 1995 photograph.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/elizabeth-peyton-painting-sparks-copyright-lawsuit-over-oasis-photograph

### 2026-08-25: Photographer Justin Thomas sues artist Elizabeth Peyton over Oasis copyright

Photographer Justin Thomas is suing artist Elizabeth Peyton for copyright infringement, alleging her $1.92 million painting of Oasis members Liam and Noel Gallagher is a “slavish copy” of his 1995 photograph.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/photographer-justin-thomas-sues-artist-elizabeth-peyton-over-oasis-copyright

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Cite as: Copyright lawsuit over Oasis photograph and painting. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/copyright-lawsuit-over-oasis-photograph-and-painting