Dubai: A model of Dubai demanded Dh6 million as compensation from a property developer for misusing his photographs in ads in order to sell their properties owned by the developer. 

As per the Dubai Courts, the model had signed a memorandum for only one year with the developer to use his picture for marketing a new property project. He later found that the developer had used his images on billboards across the emirate for three years. 

Their contract was to use one picture for one year in a bid to market a new property project. My picture was used in the project’s booklet. But they still used my picture for three years on billboards in Dubai, said the model in official records. 

Records revealed that he accepted Dh30,000 for using his picture for one year.

‘Damaged private life’

He claimed the company added a ring to his hand in the billboard picture to show that he was engaged in the marketing campaign, damaging his private life as his fiancé broke up with him.

He warned the company legally about the misuse of his picture, and then the company removed his picture from the marketing campaign and gave him Dh50,000 as compensation. 

He rejected the request and instead launched a civil case against the developer.

According to official records, the model discovered that his picture was still being used after the contract period by coincidence as his friends saw his picture on a billboard in Dubai.

The Dubai Court of First Instance ordered the developer to pay a compensation of Dh213,750.

The Appeal Court then decreased the compensation to Dh142,500.

The model took his case to the Cassation Court, which ordered a retrial.

The model demanded Dh6 million in compensation, but the architect claimed the model had no right to compensation as there was no damage done to him.

However, the Appeal Court allocated a final judgment and ordered the developer to pay a compensation of Dh142,500.