A photographer from Ritzau Scanpix took pictures of the empty frames in 2021 at the Kunsten Museum in Aalborg.
According to Haaning, Ritzau Scanpix violated his copyright when the images were distributed to the agency's customers.
It's a matter of principle, which can have far-reaching consequences for how the press can operate. We intend to follow the case all the way, even if it requires multiple court proceedings, says Jacob Kwon, Ritzau's CEO.
As recently as this spring, Haaning agreed to a settlement with Kunsten Museum in Aalborg regarding the artwork and a large loan he had received but not repaid.
The artwork "Take the money and run" consists of a number of empty frames. Haaning had received a loan to recreate a work with framed banknotes, but when the museum received the paintings, they were empty and the artwork had been renamed "Take the money and run".
The museum still decided to display the two artworks as part of a temporary exhibition, but then took legal action.
