 The video was involved in further controversy when photographer David LaChapelle sued Rihanna , Island Def Jam and related parties for copyright infringement . LaChapelle alleged that the video infringed upon eight of his photographs published between 1997 and 2010 in GQ , i @-@ D , Vogue Italia and elsewhere . The lawsuit , which claimed unspecified damages , alleged that the video was " directly derived " from LaChapelle 's pictures , copying their " composition , total concept , feel , tone , mood , theme , colors , props , settings , decors , wardrobe and lighting " . The lawsuit included claims of trade dress infringement under the Lanham Act , unfair competition under New York state law and unjust enrichment , all of which were later dismissed . Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of New York 's Southern District Court denied a motion to dismiss the copyright violation allegations , noting similarities between the works : 
