New details reveal how former CEO could sue Coldplay after being caught with employee on jumbotron

New details reveal how former CEO could sue Coldplay after being caught with employee on jumbotron

Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot were caught embracing on the big screen at a Coldplay concert

At a Coldplay concert in Boston, Byron and Cabot were caught embracing on the big screen, before immediately jumping apart once they realised they were on camera.

At the time, frontman Chris Martin seemed pretty shocked, telling crowds: “Oh look at these two. Either they are having an affair or they’re just really shy.”

Due to the unusual reaction, a clip of what happened went viral on TikTok and has since been viewed over 100 million times.

Following the viral moment, Byron resigned from his role of CEO of Astronomer, with the company sharing a statement: “As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.

“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.”

Neither Byron or Cabot have addressed the video themselves.

The couple jumped apart when they saw the video (TikTok/@instaagraace)

The couple jumped apart when they saw the video (TikTok/@instaagraace)

Many people have been left with some resounding questions, however, including whether either could sue Coldplay for putting them on the big screen.

Now, one legal expert has weighed in on how Byron could potentially take legal action over the clip.

“If we are getting creative, a possible claim would be for defamation, specifically as it relates to Chris Martin characterizing the two as having an ‘affair,’” attorney Camron Dowlatshahi from MSD Lawyers told Page Six.

However, Byron would have to prove Martin’s comments were defamatory, which means he would have to prove there was no affair to begin with.

Considering neither have done this already, it’s unlikely.

What makes it even more unlikely is that Byron would also have to prove that Martin ‘knew or should have known’ that he wasn’t having an affair, but decided to make the remark anyway.

“None of those elements will be met, so any claim against Coldplay would be frivolous,” Dowlatshahi added.

“I also very much doubt that Mr. Byron would want further public scrutiny by bringing a borderline frivolous suit against the event organizers and/or Coldplay.”

Experts have weighed in on whether Byron could sue Coldplay (Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

Experts have weighed in on whether Byron could sue Coldplay (Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

Other legal experts have also weighed in on whether there could be grounds to sue, with Jayne Holliday, Legal Director at Higgs LLP, telling UNILAD: “It’s highly unlikely they’d have a legal case against the person who shared the footage or Coldplay, as it was taken in a public place and appears to show real events, without manipulation.

“… There’s very little expectation of privacy in a public venue like a stadium, particularly at a high-profile event where cameras and phones are everywhere. If you’re in public and being filmed without your consent, it might feel intrusive, but it’s generally not illegal unless it crosses into harassment, defamation, or breach of data protection laws – which this doesn’t appear to do.”

The pair tried to hide once they realised they were on camera (TikTok/@instaagraace)

The pair tried to hide once they realised they were on camera (TikTok/@instaagraace)

Meanwhile, Ron Zambrano of the Los Angeles-based West Coast Employment Lawyers told The Mirror: “Any legal claims from Byron would be dead on arrival. He has no grounds to sue.

“First, it would immediately be struck down as a restriction on creative speech and Coldplay’s ability to be artistic during their performances.

“Second, Byron and Cabot waived their right to privacy when they decided to attend a public event, so their public display of affection is on them, not on Coldplay. They just got caught.”

Featured Image Credit: TikTok

Lawyers explain whether CEO could sue Coldplay after being caught with colleague on jumbotron

Lawyers explain whether CEO could sue Coldplay after being caught with colleague on jumbotron

Andy Byron was seen with his arms wrapped around an employee at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts

There has been speculation that former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron may look into suing Coldplay.

Byron has been the center of a huge scandal in recent days after he was spotted with his arms wrapped around employee Kristen Cabot by a jumbotron at Coldplay‘s concert in Massachusetts on Wednesday (July 16).

A huge storm has since followed the pair after a video of their brief and rather awkward interaction, with the band’s frontman went viral on TikTok, sparking Byron to resign from his position as CEO.

The tech firm announced on social media: “As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”

The statement went on: “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.”

Away from statements made by Astronomer, neither Cabot or Byron have publicly addressed the ordeal.

In the wake of the huge fallout the now-viral video has caused for Byron, some have questioned if he has grounds to sue Coldplay.

Weighing in on this, Ron Zambrano of the Los Angeles-based West Coast Employment Lawyers told The Mirror: “Any legal claims from Byron would be dead on arrival. He has no grounds to sue.”

Legal experts say Coldplay are clear of any wrongdoing (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Legal experts say Coldplay are clear of any wrongdoing (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Zambrano went on: “First, it would immediately be struck down as a restriction on creative speech and Coldplay’s ability to be artistic during their performances.

“Second, Byron and Cabot waived their right to privacy when they decided to attend a public event, so their public display of affection is on them, not on Coldplay. They just got caught.”

Tre Lovell, a civil and entertainment attorney of the Lovell Firm, echoed similar sentiments.

“When you are out in public, you have no right to privacy for your actions,” he explained, adding: “People are free to photograph you and video you.”

Lovell divulged further: “What people cannot do is use the video or photographs to violate your right to publicity in terms of using your image for commercial purposes or defame you and depict you in a manner that is false or untruthful.”

With all this in mind, he agrees that Byron has no grounds to sue Coldplay.

Featured Image Credit: TikTok

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