Justin Goldman's Tom Brady photograph suit against States Newsroom and an individual moves from New York to D.C.

The complaint

Goldman v. States Newsroom, Inc. and Nathaniel Cline was filed July 20, 2026 in the Southern District of New York as No. 1:26-cv-06171 (7 pages). The plaintiff, Justin Goldman, is a professional photographer who represents himself. The defendants are States Newsroom, Inc., alleged on information and belief to be a nonprofit that publishes the Virginia Mercury, and Nathaniel Cline, alleged on information and belief to be a journalist who reports for that publication. The complaint demands a jury trial. (Compl. caption; paras. 3 to 5.)

What it alleges

Goldman alleges he is the sole author and owner of a photograph of Tom Brady taken on or about July 2, 2016 in East Hampton, New York, registered as VAu 1-250-526 with an effective date of August 1, 2016 and also the subject of Registration No. VA 1-436-930. He alleges, on information and belief, that Cline displayed the photograph without authorization on his X account, which he used in connection with his work for the Virginia Mercury, and that the post remained live when the complaint was filed. He says he discovered the post and notified the defendants on or about July 12, 2026. Count I alleges direct infringement against Cline, and Count II alleges that States Newsroom is liable on vicarious or contributory theories. (Compl. paras. 9 to 28.)

Relief sought

Goldman asks for a finding of infringement, actual damages and profits or, alternatively, statutory damages including enhanced damages for willful infringement, a permanent injunction, costs and attorneys' fees to the extent permitted, and interest. (Compl. Prayer (a) to (f).)

Transfer to the District of Columbia

The case was reassigned on July 28, 2026 to Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who on August 19, 2026 transferred it to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under 28 U.S.C. 1406. The transfer order concluded that neither defendant resides or may be found in the Southern District of New York, that the complaint's venue allegations were conclusory, and that the District of Columbia is the most appropriate venue because both defendants may be found in or near Washington. It left to the transferee court whether Goldman may proceed without prepaying fees and directed that summonses not issue. The District of Columbia docketed the transfer on September 9, 2026. (ECF Nos. 3, 4; minute entry of July 28, 2026.)