Intellectual Property Insights from Fishman Stewart PLLC
Newsletter – Volume 25, Issue 12
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UPDATE: The Beige Battle Ends in a Whimper, Not a Verdict
In our previous FishTank article “The Great Beige-Off: Influencer Sues for ‘Vibe’ Infringement,” we reported on Sydney Nicole Gifford’s lawsuit against fellow influencer Alyssa Sheil over allegations of copyright infringement involving neutral-toned social media content. As of May 28, 2025, that headline-grabbing case has officially come to a close.
The parties filed a joint stipulation of dismissal with prejudice, ending the case entirely, with no monetary settlement, no confidentiality agreement, and each party covering their own legal costs. According to Sheil’s legal team, this outcome represents a full vindication, with Gifford taking nothing on her claims.
Sheil, who maintained throughout that her “clean girl” aesthetic was independently created, stated that she refused to back down because the case had broader implications for minority entrepreneurs in the influencer space. Her legal team emphasized that this dismissal without conditions or concessions sends a strong message about the limits of copyright protection when it comes to general aesthetics.
While the court never ruled on whether a “beige vibe” is protectable under copyright law, this case leaves behind a clear warning: trying to claim legal ownership over popular visual trends may not pass legal muster, especially when your opponent can show they posted first.
So, who won the title of “Most Basic”? Legally speaking, no one, but Sheil walked away unscathed, and the lawsuit that once promised major precedent now ends with a neutral-toned fade to black.
We’ll continue to monitor developments at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and copyright. Stay tuned.
Michelle Visser is a partner of Fishman Stewart, with over 25 years of experience practicing trademark law with other members of the firm’s Trademark Group. Check out her full bio here.
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