Famous chef Nusr-et Gökçe – better known as “Salt Bae” – was hit by a $ 5 million copyright infringement lawsuit by a Brooklyn artist who claims that the network’s star socialization used his artwork around the world without permission.
William Hicks says he and fellow artist Josphe Iurato were hired by Gökçe in September 2017 to make a mural of the Turkish restorer “in his salt spray signature,” according to a federal lawsuit in Manhattan on Monday.
The first work was displayed in Gökçe’s Miami steakhouse, and paintings painted with later patterns also appeared at his restaurants in Doha, Dubai and New York, court newspapers say.
Only Hicks found out in early 2020 that Gökçe and his companies were using the same image from around the world in shop windows, digital signs, menus, napkins, dining bags and on the label for his spice line – all without the artist’s permission, the documents say. the court.
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“The defendants engaged in the large-scale and unauthorized distribution and use of the original works in, among others, Nusr-et steakhouses and Saltbae Burger restaurants in New York, Dubai and Istanbul,” the lawsuit alleges.
“The defendants also decided unilaterally that they would instead illegally adapt, create and distribute unauthorized derivative versions of the original works … to be displayed in the Nusr-et steakhouse locations in at least Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Etiler , Mykonos and Bodrum Yalikavak Marina, ”the court documents claim.
Hicks allegedly sent a letter of termination and waiver asking him to stop using the original artwork in April 2020. But Gökçe and the companies “doubled over their already widespread violation, extending their intentional use of the infringing materials.” in locations in Doha, D Maris Bay (Turkey), Boston, Dallas and several additional locations in Istanbul, ”the lawsuit claims.
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Gökçe became world famous for the first time in 2017, when images of him splashing wild salt on a steak went viral on Instagram. He opened the New York Nusr-et outpost in early 2018.
Gökçe could not be contacted immediately for comments.