Photographer Laura Loana V has claimed that Sleep Token used one of her photos from the band’s 2023 Copenhell performance without permission for one of their limited edition Ritual Coins.
Photographer Laura Loana V has claimed that metal giants Sleep Token have reused one of her photos taken of the band during their performance at Copenhell Festival 2023 without permission for merchandise.
The artist shared a statement on Instagram yesterday (December 18), alleging that Sleep Token had repurposed one of her photos for one of their limited-edition Ritual Coins, which were sold during their 2024 performance at Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany. As of writing, the coin is also still available to purchase via Sleep Token’s UK store for ÂŁ50.00.
Her full statement would read as follows:
“This year I found out the photo I took in 2023 at @copenhell festival (on an editorial assignment for a magazine) was used for merch in 2024, without my permission. I have not signed any contract granting anyone the licensing rights to these photos.
I know a lot of you loved these photos and I am very grateful for the support, but now I need some help sharing this so I can get to management. đź–¤ I have sent emails myself and sent a lot of dms on socials as well but I haven’t been successful in establishing a communication line with the band directly.
I have only been in contact with one person who was involved with the coin and I have been called agressive for saying the settlement they offered was unfair and that it’s an unacceptable situation, so hoping to get to the band management directly.
As a small creator it is a bit disheartening when you do something with passion and it gets stolen for profit and dismissed like this. Also, on top of that, it seems to not be an isolated case.
Also, considering the amount of copyright issues this band had with small creators (fanart, tattoo artists etc) it is probably worth creating some awareness on the irony of all of this.”
Loana’s post would quickly blow up on social media, prompting Sleep Token’s representation, Rico Management, to reply to the photographer.
Another photographer, Daniel Lønberg, would reply in the comments, claiming that a similar situation happened with his photos also from Copenhell. In a video posted on May 1, 2025, Lønberg said a production company saw his photo on Tumblr, “didn’t do their due diligence,” and reused it for merchandise. He would share that while the situation was resolved, his scenario was also different compared to Loana’s, writing, “I believe the argument is that this is a[n] inspirational piece. Therefore not subject to copyright”.
In her post, Loana would also allude to the band’s recent controversy after issuing a copyright strike against tattoo artist Emily-Jayne, known as InkITEJ online, in October. Jayne’s account featured tattoo art inspired by Sleep Token; however, the designs were not owned by the band.
The copyright strike against the artist would lead to Jayne’s entire Instagram account being removed from the platform. In a desperate bid to clear her name and regain access to her account, Jayne would post asking fans to help her contact the band’s management to see if they’d retract their copyright claims.
The artist’s post quickly spread across social media, with fans criticising Rico Management and Sleep Token’s label, RCA Records, for overreaching. Some called the move an example of “corporate bullying” toward independent artists. Within days, Rico Management reversed its decision after reportedly consulting with the band.
Much like the tattoo incident earlier this year, the recent situation with Loana has brought to light Sleep Token’s creative community and its ongoing tense relationship with the masked metal band’s management.
Multiple Sleep Token fan accounts have shared takedown notices issued by Rico Management in recent months. With the band allegedly selling merchandise without the artist’s permission, the incident only draws more attention to the accusations of “corporate bullying”.
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