John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono has forbidden an artist from using portraits of the former Beatles star to raise money for his old school.
Joanne Shaw, 26, had hoped to use her prints of the former singer - who was killed by a crazed fan - to help his former school raise money for much needed repairs.
But after Dovedale County Infants School in Liverpool had sent Ono one of two prints as thanks for an earlier $70,000 donation, Shaw received a letter of warning from her attorneys.
The letter from New York based firm Shukat Arrow Hafer and Weber Attorneys explained that Ono held exclusive rights to Lennon's image and Shaw would not be able to use the prints for fundraising.
Lawyer Peter Shukat stated: "You should be aware that your drawing from somebody else's photograph would not be permissible by law."
Shaw, who has painted for the Prince of Wales and the Sultan of Brunei, described the response as "totally wrong".
"An artist can paint whatever they want," she said.
"It all started out as a generous gesture to his old school and it's provoked a bit of response from Yoko."
"I find it so sad that someone in her position feels threatened."
"The only way they could object would be if I used the prints to promote a product."
"It just seems funny that she has gone over the top on it."
Shaw has defied the letter and produced a print of a black and white oil painting of Lennon.