The complaint
Taylor v. MrBeast YouTube LLC and James Stephen Donaldson, No. 4:26-cv-01445-ACL (E.D. Mo., Eastern Division), was filed September 9, 2026 (40 pages, most of them exhibits). The plaintiff is Enrico Taylor of O'Fallon, Missouri, who represents himself and moved the same day for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The defendants are MrBeast YouTube LLC and James Stephen Donaldson, individually. The case-opening notice assigns the case to the Honorable Abbie S. Crites-Leoni. The complaint demands a jury trial. (Compl. caption; paras. 10 to 13; ECF No. 2; minute entry of Sept. 10, 2026.)
What it alleges
Taylor alleges he created a 2021 photograph of a man holding a stack of currency against the side of his head and owns Registration No. VA0002464788, effective June 12, 2025. He alleges the defendants had access to the photograph and created, displayed, and promoted an accused image that recreates its protectable expression, including the pose and head angle, the placement of the money, a black shirt, a red garment over the shoulder, jewelry, and close framing, without his authorization. He says he does not claim the idea of a person holding money near his head. The complaint also says an earlier Copyright Claims Board proceeding on related allegations, No. 25-CCB-0228, was dismissed without prejudice on July 25, 2025. (Compl. paras. 2 to 5, 14 to 34, 35 to 43.)
Relief sought
Taylor asks for a declaration of infringement, actual damages and profits he presently demands as $100,000, an accounting, temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief, removal of the accused material, and costs. (Compl. paras. 6, 44 to 47; Prayer A to G.)
Docket activity
Taylor filed an amended complaint on September 21, 2026 (ECF No. 5). It is not available for free online. (ECF Nos. 1 to 5.)