In 2021, Spencer Elden, the man who appeared as a naked baby on the cover of Nirvana’s 1991 album Nevermind, sued the band and several others, alleging that the image constituted child sexual abuse. Elden has since recreated the cover several times, but he has said that he has always felt exploited by the image and that it has caused him “lifelong damages.”
The Nevermind album cover
The Nevermind album cover, which was shot by photographer Kirk Weddle, features Elden swimming naked toward a dollar bill that is attached to a fishhook. The image is considered one of the most iconic album covers of all time, but Elden has said that he has always felt uncomfortable with it. In a 2016 interview, he said, “I’ve been struggling with this my whole life. I’ve been going to therapy for it.”
Spencer Elden’s lawsuit
In his lawsuit, Elden alleges that Nirvana and the others involved in the album cover violated federal child pornography laws by using his image without his consent. He is seeking $150,000 in damages.
Nirvana’s response
Nirvana has denied the allegations in Elden’s lawsuit. In a statement, the band’s representatives said, “The Nevermind artwork is a classic image of rock and roll that has been celebrated by fans for decades. It is unfortunate that now, as an adult, Spencer Elden is seeking to exploit that image for his own financial gain.”
The outcome of the lawsuit
In September 2022, a federal judge dismissed Elden’s lawsuit. The judge ruled that Elden waited too long to file the lawsuit and that he had failed to show that he had suffered any damages as a result of the image. Elden has appealed the decision.
Conclusion
The case of Spencer Elden v. Nirvana is a complex one that raises important questions about the use of child images in art and commerce. It remains to be seen whether Elden will be successful in his appeal, but his case has certainly sparked a conversation about the ethics of using child images in this way.
FAQs
What are the specific allegations in Elden’s lawsuit?
Elden alleges that Nirvana and the others involved in the album cover violated federal child pornography laws by using his image without his consent. He also alleges that they committed fraud by promising to cover his genitals with a sticker on the album cover, but they never did.
What is the legal basis for Elden’s lawsuit?
Elden is suing under federal child pornography laws and California state law. The federal law prohibits the production, distribution, or possession of child pornography. The California law prohibits the use of a child’s image in a commercial product without the child’s consent.
What is Nirvana’s defense?
Nirvana denies the allegations in Elden’s lawsuit. They argue that the album cover is protected by the First Amendment and that Elden has failed to show that he has suffered any damages as a result of the image.
What is the outcome of the case so far?
A federal judge dismissed Elden’s lawsuit in September 2022. Elden has appealed the decision.
What are the implications of this case?
The case of Spencer Elden v. Nirvana is a complex one that raises important questions about the use of child images in art and commerce. It remains to be seen whether Elden will be successful in his appeal, but his case has certainly sparked a conversation about the ethics of using child images in this way.
