Beyoncé may be in the middle of one of the biggest tours of her career, but she is now caught in a legal spotlight over a bold visual choice involving one of Las Vegas’ most recognizable landmarks: the Sphere.
According to a report from the New York Post, Sphere Entertainment Co. has issued a cease and desist letter to Beyoncé’s team, demanding she remove a concert video from her Cowboy Carter tour that features the pop icon dramatically interacting with the famed venue in ways the company says violate its rights.
Concert Visual Shows Beyoncé Lifting and Looming Over the Sphere
During performances on the Cowboy Carter tour, fans have seen a striking video of a larger-than-life Beyoncé bending down, picking up the Las Vegas Sphere, and looming over it. The surreal visual has gone viral and thrilled concertgoers, but the venue’s owners are not applauding.
Instead, Sphere Entertainment Co. says the video crosses a legal line. In a strongly worded letter sent Thursday to Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, attorney Kathleen McCarthy called the footage a clear case of unauthorized use of the venue’s image.
Sphere Claims Imagery Misleads Fans and Violates Intellectual Property
According to the letter, the video “prominently features and manipulates imagery of the Sphere” without the company’s permission. McCarthy argued that the depiction creates false public assumptions, including widespread speculation that Beyoncé plans to conclude her tour with a residency at the Sphere.
Although Beyoncé has never performed at or even visited the venue, Sphere Entertainment asserts that the visual implies an official affiliation. The company claims this misleading impression, coupled with the unauthorized use of the Sphere’s image, constitutes a serious infringement of its intellectual property rights.
Beyoncé Given Monday Deadline to Remove Footage or Face Legal Action
Sphere Entertainment has given Beyoncé’s team a firm deadline to remove the video. According to the cease and desist letter, Parkwood Entertainment must cease use of the footage by Monday.
“If the infringing content is not withdrawn by the stated deadline, Sphere Entertainment Co. reserves all rights to take further action as SEG deems appropriate without notice,” the letter states.
Potential next steps may include seeking financial damages, pursuing legal injunctions, or filing formal complaints in court. The company has indicated it is prepared to act swiftly to protect its brand and property.
Beyoncé’s Team Remains Silent as Legal Deadline Approaches
As of Friday, Beyoncé and her representatives at Parkwood Entertainment have not responded publicly to the cease and desist letter. Whether they will comply with the request or contest the accusations is unknown.
The Cowboy Carter tour has received widespread acclaim for its innovative visuals and genre-bending performances. However, this legal dispute may force a change to one of the show’s most visually memorable moments.
Artists and Landmarks: Where Creative Expression Meets Legal Boundaries
This creates more general issues regarding where artistic freedom ends and corporate control begins. Increasingly, performers are incorporating real-world landmarks and buildings into their stage sets and videos, creating legal concerns regarding permission, licensing, and brand protection.
The newly opened Las Vegas Sphere in 2023 is not just an arena but a globally iconic architectural and technological wonder. Its owners are now making it clear that any use of its image must be formally sanctioned.
It remains to be seen whether this matter is settled amicably or turns into a bigger legal battle. In the meantime, Beyoncé’s production team must decide what to do as the Monday deadline looms.
