Sony Sued for Shakira's 'She Wolf' Cover

Tue, 26 January 2010 01:59:51 ET

Claiming Sony records owed him around $64,000 for the design and photography of the Columbian singer's new album, designer Lee Swillingham files a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Shakira's album "She Wolf" has drawn legal problems for Sony. The New York Post reported that the recording label has been served with a lawsuit by designer Lee Swillingham, who oversaw the design and photography of the 32-year-old's latest effort, for owing him as much as $64,000.

The publication reported that Swillingham signed a contract worth $63,000 with Sony in spring 2009 and has been paid half the sum up front for his services, before Sony backed out. According to court documents, the former art director of The Face and Dazed & Confused magazines also earned $5,000 a day for extra work, totaling an additional $36,000.

Swillingham's lawyer, Sam Israel, did confirmed that the contract included a clause stating Sony owes nothing if the record label isn't pleased with the final project. Nonetheless, he accused the company for falsely claiming the work was unsatisfactory, especially since it still used the images Swillingham created for the album. There are yet comments from Sony regarding the report.

"She Wolf" is Shakira's sixth studio album and her third English effort. Released in the U.S. on November 23, 2009, the set sees the transition the Columbian singer made from Latin pop and pop rock to electropop. It was preceded by the title single "She Wolf", and contains another single "Give It Up to Me", which features rapper Lil Wayne.

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