HOUSTON — Online influencer Alyssa Sheil saw a highly publicized lawsuit against her dropped by influencer Sydney Gifford, who non-suited her claims and took nothing.
AZA client Ms. Sheil said the case claiming her largely beige and neutrals online fashion style was copied was frivolous. “This was about more than just me. This sets a precedent that young influencers can fight back and not give in to bullying,” said Ms. Sheil. “Ms. Gifford tried to intimidate me into leaving this industry. But she failed and the truth prevailed.”
The lawsuit filed in April 2024 was recognized by the media as “the first of its kind,” as noted in tech news website The Verge’s story “Bad Influence.” The case received substantial media coverage, including a New York Times Sunday cover story headlined “Can You Copyright a Vibe?” It was recognized by commentators as a dispute that could set a major legal precedent and was included in legal news service Law360’s “Copyright Cases to Watch in 2025.” (subscription required).
Because Ms. Gifford alleged she had a unique and original “neutral, beige, and cream aesthetic,” the suit became known among legal commentators as the “Sad Beige Lawsuit,” according to legal site JDSupra.
In December 2024, AZA prevailed on a motion to dismiss three of Ms. Gifford’s claims. The remainder of Ms. Gifford’s claims were released in a non-suit on May 28, 2025, without any payment by Ms. Sheil.
Because Ms. Sheil had already served an answer and the case had been pending for nearly a year, Ms. Gifford needed Ms. Sheil’s approval to surrender and non-suit her case.
“It is rare to secure a win like this where the plaintiff has to ask you for permission to give up,” said AZA partner Jason McManis.
“It was a privilege to represent Ms. Sheil, who fought to send a message that these kinds of cases will not pay off. Ms. Gifford’s case was completely meritless, and it is no surprise she asked to give up,” said AZA associate Thomas Frashier.
“We had hard proof that Ms. Gifford’s claimed works were not original and her story simply was not true. For many of the alleged instances of ‘copying,’ Ms. Sheil actually took her photos and videos first.”
Looking to the future of claims like this, AZA partner, Shahmeer Halepota noted that “this case sets a major legal precedent regarding creativity in the growing social media industry. It was our honor to represent Ms. Sheil. Her courage combatting these false allegations speaks for itself.”
Also working on the case for AZA were Sujeeth Rajavolu and Ethan Carlyle.
The case was Sydney Nicole LLC and Sydney Nicole Gifford v. Alyssa Sheil LLC and Alyssa Sheil, Cause No. 1:24-cv-423, in United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
AZA, or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, healthcare, intellectual property and business dispute cases. AZA is recognized by Chambers USA 2024 as among the best in Texas in commercial law and intellectual property; has been listed by Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms as one of the country’s best commercial litigation firms for 13 years; has been named Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer three times; and was previously dubbed a Texas Powerhouse law firm by Law360.