The complaint
Vila v. Morphew LLC, No. 1:26-cv-09665 (S.D.N.Y.), was filed November 4, 2026, ECF No. 1, with a jury demand. Carlos Vila is a New York photographer who photographs celebrity, entertainment and news events. The complaint describes Morphew LLC as a Florida limited liability company based in Redington Shores, Florida, that sells vintage designer apparel and its own Morphew Collection garments through stores in New York City and Southampton, New York, and online.
The work
The work is a photograph of actress Margaret Qualley. The complaint says it was first published on August 19, 2023 and registered on October 10, 2023 under Registration No. VA 2-370-103, within three months of publication. The Copyright Office record shows VA 2-370-103 as a group registration of 701 published photographs, published from July 11 to August 29, 2023, with Vila as author and claimant and a registration date of October 10, 2023.
The alleged infringement
The complaint alleges that on or about August 30, 2023 Morphew posted the photograph on its @shopmorphew Facebook account and @morphew_world Instagram account, paired with an image of a Morphew Collection silk charmeuse jumpsuit and an invitation to "Get the look!" It alleges the posts were advertisements for Morphew's own merchandise and that Vila discovered them on November 30, 2023. It says Vila's counsel wrote to Morphew on April 16, 2024 and followed up on April 16, 2025, and that Morphew failed or refused to address the claims.
The claim and relief
The first count pleads direct copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. § 501. The prayer seeks a finding of infringement, actual damages and profits under § 504(b) or, at the plaintiff's election, statutory damages under § 504(c), whichever is larger, an injunction under § 502(a), costs and attorney's fees under § 505, pre-judgment interest, and other relief.
Docket
The docket shows the complaint, civil cover sheet, a request for summons, the AO 121 copyright notice, and a notice of appearance.