Jenner Threatens Lawsuits Over Dress Photos

Another day, another supposed celebrity privacy invasion by the paparazzi. This time, the alleged victim is Bruce Jenner, and he is not taking this one sitting down. Bruce Jenner has threatened legal action over what he says are "illegally obtained" photos of him wearing a dress outside his home. The photos were published by multiple media outlets, including New York Daily News and CNN before his interview with Diane Sawyer. And according to Jenner's attorney, whoever was behind the camera is in the wrong here.

Jenner's attorney, Marty Singer, told Page Six, "The photos were clearly unlawfully taken from a very long distance using an enhancement device. Bruce Jenner is going to enforce his right to privacy." Some may be wondering if this means that Jenner will also be going after the photography agency that sold these photos and the media outlets that later published them. Jenner's spokesperson said, "Both Daily News and CNN pulled the photos sold to them by X17 once it found out they were illegally obtained. The agency no longer is selling those photos [since] they confirmed they were shot illegally." So it seems like there is no confirmation that the agency or the media outlets were in the wrong here, but it looks like the same cannot be said for the photographer.

The spokesperson cited the California law that photographers can be found liable for invading privacy for using telephoto lenses to photograph people engaged in "personal or familial activity." When Jenner is on his own personal and private property, he has the right, like anyone else, to be in his safe space without invasion. So if the photos were, in fact, taken illegally, he is well within his rights to take legal action against the photographer.

Recently, Iggy Azalea spoke out about a similar situation in which photographers, she says, illegally captured images of her in front of her home. And of course, other celebrities have faced the same struggle. Sadly, this has been a long and ongoing battle.

However, it is a good thing that the agency stopped selling the photos of Jenner once they found out that they were illegally obtained. It is also a positive thing that the media outlets pulled the photos from publication after learning that, as well. If Jenner does pursue legal action, it sounds like the blame would be put on the person this could all be traced back to — the photographer.

Editor’s Note: Per Jenner’s stated preference, Bustle will continue referring to Jenner using he/his pronouns for the time being. We will follow his lead and make any changes to this policy as needed in the future.

Image: Getty Images