Pelé Soccer, the lifestyle brand co-founded with the late Brazilian football legend Pelé, is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over its use of one of the most iconic images in soccer history.
The estate of Brazilian photographer Alberto Ferreira filed the complaint last week in the Southern District of New York, alleging that Pelé Soccer used Ferreira’s 1965 photograph of Pelé performing a mid-air bicycle kick without authorization. Ferreira, an acclaimed sports photographer whose work appeared in museums, galleries, and commercial campaigns for brands like MasterCard, captured the moment during a friendly between Brazil and Belgium—a match in which Pelé scored a hat trick as Brazil won 5–4.
The estate, now managed by Ferreira’s son, Antonio Carlos Ferreira Lima, licenses the photograph for commercial use. Though the image is not registered in the U.S., it is protected under the Berne Convention, granting it automatic international copyright protection. The lawsuit claims Pelé Soccer reproduced the photo without a license and used it on merchandise including T-shirts and apparel.
In addition to copyright infringement, the estate is pursuing claims under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which allows for damages of up to $150,000 per violation. The complaint seeks an injunction to halt sales of the products featuring the photo, as well as monetary damages tied to profits generated from its unauthorized use.
Pelé Soccer has not publicly commented. Legal experts suggest the company could invoke fair use, arguing that the photograph’s integration into apparel designs reflects transformative creativity, potentially distinguishing it from the original work.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon.