What was filed
Elliot McGucken v. Sydney Evan and Does 1-10, No. 2:26-cv-11461 (C.D. Cal.), was filed October 2, 2026 (11 pages). McGucken, a landscape photographer in Los Angeles County, alleges on information and belief that Sydney Evan is a California corporation that owns and operates the Sydney Evan Facebook profile and the @sydneyevan Instagram profile. He demands a jury trial. (Compl. paras. 4, 5, 8.)
The work
The complaint alleges McGucken created and owns the photograph it depicts, registered it with the Copyright Office, and published it widely with credit and copyright management information identifying him. (Compl. paras. 9 to 13.)
What the complaint alleges
It alleges, on information and belief, that the defendants willfully copied and displayed the photograph on the two profiles for commercial benefit, and it alleges they failed to meaningfully respond to a cease-and-desist letter McGucken sent on or around November 7, 2024. (Compl. paras. 14 to 16.)
Claims and relief
The first claim alleges copyright infringement and the second alleges vicarious and/or contributory infringement, each against all defendants. McGucken seeks an injunction, profits and losses or statutory damages, a constructive trust over revenues, fees and costs, and interest. (Compl. paras. 17 to 28; Prayer.)