Parents are suing a Quebec teacher for $1.5 million after she listed student art for sale online

The parents of a Montreal-area high school art teacher have filed a formal lawsuit against their high school student's art teacher after they allegedly posted their artwork for sale online.

Ten parents sued teacher Mario Perron and Lester B. for intellectual property infringement under copyright law. filed a claim against the Pearson School Board (LBPSB) for $1.575 million, or $155,000 per plaintiff. They are also asking for an apology and for the students' images to be removed from the website.

In February, 12-year-old students attend Westwood High School in St. Lazare, Que. They found their images on several items for sale online, including T-shirts for $55, coffee mugs for $41, and even iPhone cases for $35 each. The incident made international headlines and angry parents vowed to sue.

According to parent Joel DeBelfel, the documents have now been sent to a Quebec court. His parents are represented by his brother, lawyer Martin DeBelfel.

The bailiff is expected to submit legal documents to the school board soon, at which point it will have two weeks to respond.

Lester B. The Pearson School Board told CTV News on Friday that it does not comment on internal human resources investigations. Last month, the school board confirmed that an administrative investigation had been launched against the teacher.

– With files from Max Harrold in CTV News Montreal