After multiple failed attempts to reach a settlement with the rapper’s team, Atlanta photographer Garey C. Gomez has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Future over album artwork for “Mixtape Pluto.” The legal action, initiated in early October 2024, targets not only the artist himself but also Titol Retail LLC and Wilburn Holding Company, Inc., businesses affiliated with Future’s Freebandz imprint.
At the center of the dispute are photographs of the historic Dungeon Family house in Atlanta, which Gomez registered with the U.S. Copyright Office in June 2021. The property holds significant cultural value in Southern hip-hop history as the creative birthplace of OutKast, Goodie Mob, and other influential artists. The house also has personal significance to Future, as it was the home of his late cousin and mentor, Rico Wade.
The Dungeon Family house stands as both cultural cornerstone of Southern hip-hop and personal shrine in Future’s artistic journey.
According to court documents, Gomez alleges the rapper used his copyrighted images without permission for commercial purposes, including album art and merchandise. The photographs reportedly show the iconic Atlanta property illuminated in purple, matching the album’s aesthetic. Gomez claims his attempts to negotiate with Future’s representatives in October 2023 proved unsuccessful, leading to the current legal action. Before achieving mainstream fame, Future was connected to the collective as a member under the name Meathead during his early career.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages, a portion of profits derived from the alleged infringement, and an injunction to prevent further use of the images. The album achieved remarkable commercial success, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts upon its release in September 2024. The case serves as a reminder to musicians that sync licensing can generate significant income when properly negotiated but can lead to costly legal battles when permissions aren’t secured. Gomez cites “irreparable harm” from the unauthorized commercial exploitation of his work, requesting the court halt all marketing, advertising, and merchandise featuring the disputed photographs.
Neither Future nor his representatives have issued public statements addressing the allegations. The case highlights the often complex intersection between artistic homage and copyright protection, particularly when commercial interests are involved. This legal dispute illustrates why many music industry professionals recommend artists properly register works with collecting societies to protect against unauthorized usage.
The pending litigation underscores the increasing scrutiny of visual elements in music promotion and merchandising, potentially establishing precedent for similar cases in entertainment industry copyright disputes. As of October 2025, the matter remains before the courts with no resolution announced.
