Kimi Räikkönen Triumphs in Legal Battle Against Media Giant: Awarded €70,000 in Copyright Case

Kimi Räikkönen, the renowned Formula One world champion, emerged victorious in a long-standing legal dispute with Sanoma Media Finland, as the Supreme Court rendered a groundbreaking judgment in favor of the Finnish driver. The case revolved around an Instagram photo shared by Räikkönen, ultimately leading to a verdict that reinforces the significance of copyright protection in the digital age.

The photo in question was originally posted on Räikkönen's Instagram story platform, a feature where images remain visible for a mere 24 hours. The controversy unfolded in 2020 when the snapshot depicted Räikkönen casually standing at a café's cash register. The F1 icon contended that the unauthorized publication of a screenshot taken from his story without his explicit consent constituted a violation of his copyright.

Earlier legal proceedings had already determined that Sanoma lacked the authorization to disseminate the image without the photographer's permission. The pivotal point of contention before the Court of Appeal centered around the application of the right of quotation under the Copyright Act, questioning whether Ilta-Sanomat had the prerogative to publish the photo.

In a decisive verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that the right of publication did not apply in this context. The Court concluded that a public figure's routine activities, such as a café visit or an associated Instagram post, did not meet the criteria of a noteworthy event under the Copyright Act. As such, the screenshot fell within the bounds of the press's right of quotation, allowing its usage without violating copyright.

It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court upheld its previous ruling, obliging Ilta-Sanomat and Iltalehti to compensate Räikkönen with €5,000 in damages and €65,000 in legal costs. The combined sum of approximately €70,000 underscores the gravity of safeguarding intellectual property rights in the digital realm.

This verdict serves as a resounding reminder that digital content, including images on the internet, holds intrinsic value and merits protection against unauthorized usage. Kimi Räikkönen's triumph not only solidifies the importance of copyright enforcement but also sets a significant precedent for future legal cases in the evolving landscape of digital media.

Image source: Getty Images