Filmmaker Lauren Greenfield accuses marketing company in the Philippines of using photograph of former first lady Imelda Marcos

American documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield has accused a billboard company in the Philippines of using a copyright protected photograph of the former first lady Imelda Marcos.

The photograph of Marcos in a red gown was used in publicity posters from Greenfield’s award-winning documentary 2019 “The Kingmaker,” which chronicles the life and career of Marcos and her husband, ousted President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

With the image being extensively circulated on social media, Greenfield has expressed her displeasure about the image being used by the billboard company without her permission.

On July 2, she wrote a series of tweets calling out the infringement on the billboard wishing Marcos on the occasion of her 93rd birthday, and the owner of marketing company behind it , Digital Out-of-Home PH.

“Clearly, whoever stole my image to wish Imelda Happy Birthday doesn’t understand copyright infringement,” the filmmaker tweeted.

DOOH then issued a statement about being “unaware of copyright” and apologized to Greenfield. The poster was then taken down.

However, just hours later, a second infringing poster was bought to Greenfield’s attention. Greenfield tweeted that legal action was “underway.”

Copyright infringement in the Philippines is punishable with one to three years imprisonment and a fine of between PHP50,000 and PHP150,000 (US$900-US$2,700) for the first offense. A second offense can draw a further fine of PHP150,000 to PHP500,000 (US$2,700 - US$9,000) plus jail time of three to six years.

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