Vampire Weekend have issued a lawsuit against photographer Tod Brody, who claims to have taken the photo on the cover of their recent album 'Contra'.

The band have been sued for $2million by the woman who pictured on the artwork for their 2010 LP.

Ann Kirsten Kennis claims she never gave the band permission to use the image, apparently taken in 1983, and that Brody never took the photo.

Now Vampire Weekend have counter-sued Brody, claiming that he gave them a release form purportedly signed by Kennis, which authorised them to use the artwork.

PDN Pulse reports that the court approved a joint request from Kennis and the band to serve papers to Brody via e-mail and the US mail on November 18 after they were unable to locate him.

After ten days Brody will legally considered to be in possession of the papers. If he fails to respond he could face a default judgement.

Meanwhile, Vampire Weekend are currently on a UK tour and are due to play two dates at Alexandra Palace in London on Thursday (December 2) and Friday (3).

(by Jason Gregory)