Experts Reveal If Astronomer CEO Can Sue Coldplay Amid Resignation As HR 'Mistress' Keeps Her Job

Yahoo

5 days ago

Days after Andy Byron resigned from his role as Astronomer CEO, lawyers have now weighed in on whether he could bring claims against Coldplay.
Byron had gone viral alongside the head of HR of the company, Kristin Cabot, when the two were caught showing PDA at the band's concert in Massachusetts.
The attorneys have now claimed that Andy Byron has no legal grounds for a lawsuit against the band while also citing reasons why such a step is unlikely.
Why Astronomer's Former CEO Can't Bring Legal Claims Against Coldplay
Despite Andy Byron's life being upended by his kiss cam incident at Coldplay's concert, legal experts have claimed that he can't take the legal path even if he wants to.
Ron Zambrano of the Los Angeles-based West Coast Employment Lawyers told The U.S. Mirror that "any legal claims from Byron would be dead on arrival."
He pointed out that the former CEO has "no grounds to sue," as any legal claim would likely be dismissed as a "restriction on creative speech and Coldplay's ability to be artistic during their performances."
The attorney further emphasized that both Byron and his company's Head of HR, Kristin Cabot, voluntarily attended the public concert.
As a result, being filmed while cosying up to each other did not constitute a legal violation, since they had effectively "waived their right to privacy" by being in a public setting.
"Their public display of affection is on them, not on Coldplay," he added. "They just got caught."
The Former CEO Has 'No Right To Privacy' In A Public Setting
Civil and entertainment lawyer Tre Lovell also echoed Zambrano's sentiments, with particular mention of Byron having no right to privacy when in public.
"CEO Andy Byron has no legal recourse against Coldplay for putting him on the big screen," he told the outlet. "When you are out in public, you have no right to privacy for your actions."
Lovell added that anyone can be filmed or photographed in public without it breaking any laws. He then explained that legal recourse would only be possible if such footage were used for commercial purposes or to spread a false or defamatory narrative.
"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."
Lovell added, "The fact that the big screen caught the CEO doing something embarrassing or immoral in public is on him."
Sources Claim Andy Byron's Resignation Was The Best Course Of Action Financially
In the wake of the kiss cam incident, Astronomer released a statement revealing that Byron had resigned from his position as CEO.
"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 company said in a statement, per the New York Post.
"Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted," they added.
At the time, reports suggested that Byron negotiated an exit deal before stepping down, though the specifics remain unclear.
Sources claimed the board had the option to fire him but chose not to, likely out of respect for his role as a co-founder of the company.
They added that Byron's resignation was a smart financial move, as it ensured he wouldn't walk away empty-handed if he had fought to keep his role.
Why The Astronomer HR Exec Has Kept Her Job Despite Kiss Cam Scandal
Unlike Byron, who is now no longer associated with Astronomer in an official capacity, Cabot, with whom he was caught at the concert, still remains a staff member.
She is currently on leave, likely until the controversy settles down or the company makes a final decision.
According to attorney Nicole Brenecki, terminating Cabot's employment is difficult for a number of reasons.
"In a real-world big company, you can't just fire someone because the headlines are ugly," she told the New York Post. "There are likely contracts, internal investigations, and legal issues involved."
The HR Chief Could Still Get Fired In The Coming Days
Despite the complications behind the scenes, attorney Brenecki believes that Cabot could still lose her job when the investigations are completed.
"If HR greenlit what happened with Coldplay, and there is a supporting paper trail, heads will likely roll," the attorney stated.
She added, "It just might take a few more days before the ax drops."
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