[hackersword]

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

[crazygringo]

He can say whatever he wants, but that would seem extremely unlikely.

Major record companies have legal departments. They're not going to greenlight an album cover without rights to the images. Anyone who works in publishing knows how strictly this stuff is treated at a major label.

[ErikVandeWater]

Probably worth it to bet they lost the paperwork and get a settlement.

[stickfigure]

There is zero chance that his parents did not consent. It's not like someone just stole their baby for a few hours.

[ghaff]

But his parents were apparently paid.

[tibbon]

I wonder if that payment serves as some sort of understanding/contract.

The money was given for some reason. What reason did the parents think?

[TheOtherHobbes]

That doesn't mean there was consent and model release paperwork.

The record company should (only slightly ironically) keep records.

If they exist this case is going nowhere. If they don't - that might get interesting.