Hogan Lovells represents a co-creator of Pinterest in suit alleging failure to compensate her

Press releases | 13 September 2021

San Francisco, 13 September 2021 – Global law firm Hogan Lovells filed suit today in state court in Alameda County on behalf of creator, Christine Martinez, against Pinterest, Inc., and two of its named co-founders, Ben Silbermann and Paul Sciarra. In her suit, Martinez claims she spent years co-creating Pinterest and has not been compensated for her ideas or contributions.

"Christine Martinez is simply asking for what she earned in co-creating one of the most popular image sharing and social media platforms," said Hogan Lovells partner Courtney Devon Taylor. "Pinterest and its top executives made billions of dollars, yet they have not paid her a dime. She intends to stand up for herself. Pinterest fans would expect nothing less."

The Complaint alleges that defendants failed to compensate Martinez for Pinterest's use of her ideas, which formed the core organizing concepts that Pinterest highlighted as its value proposition in its Initial Public Offering ("IPO"). The IPO generated billions of dollars for defendants. Martinez brings causes of action for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, conversion and unfair business practices.

In addition to Taylor (New York, Philadelphia), the Hogan Lovells team representing Martinez includes partner Paul Salvaty (San Francisco).

The complaint is here.