Nirvana sued by the baby from Nevermind's album cover
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Nirvana sued by the baby from Nevermind's album cover

He's filed a lawsuit alleging that the ‘nude’ image of himself is child pornography.

Hey, wait... I got a new complaint.

Spencer Elden, the man whose baby portrait was used for one of the most recognizable album covers of all time, Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” has filed a lawsuit alleging that the ‘nude’ image of himself is child pornography.

Now 30 years of age, Spencer Elden is uncomfortable with the idea that the album cover shows his genitals as a baby. 

Elden says his parents never signed a release authorising the use of his image on the album.

Ever since the album was released Nirvana has always held the idea that the image has generally been understood as a statement on capitalism, as it includes the ‘digital imposition’ of a dollar bill on a fishhook that the baby appears to be enthusiastically swimming toward.

However, Elden's lawyer, Robert Y. Lewis, argues that the inclusion of the dollar bill makes the minor seem "like a sex worker".

"My true identity and legal name are forever tied to commercial sexual exploitation. I have suffered and will continue to suffer lifelong damages" said Elden.

Elden is seeking at least $215,000 NZD in damages from each of the band members, Cobain's estate and others involved in the production of the album. 

Representatives for Nirvana and their record labels have yet to respond to the claims.