Posted on 03/12/2011 4:29:14 AM PST by csvset
The Associated Press has sued several retailers including Urban Outfitters for the unauthorised use of the Hope image created by artist Shepard Fairey. Artist Fairey used an AP photo without permission to create the image, and was sued by the news agency for violating copyright.
That case was settled. AP argues that using the image on T-shirts is wilful and blatant violation of the copyright of the photo.
A spokesman said that using photos for free devalued the work of journalists.
The news agency filed lawsuits against Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom and Zumiez seeking unspecified damages.
A Nordstrom spokeswoman said in a statement that the firm was aware of the lawsuit. Representatives of the other retailers have yet to respond, AP said.
In a statement, AP spokesman Paul Colford said: "When a commercial entity such as these retailers, or the company that sold the shirts to them, gets something for nothing by using an AP photo without credit or compensation, it undermines the AP's ability to cover the news. "It devalues the work that our journalists do, often in dangerous locations where they may literally risk life and limb to cover a story."
Iconic image Street artist Fairey used the photo, taken by Mannie Garcia in 2006, when he created his Hope artwork during Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Fairey sued AP in 2009, seeking a declaration he had not violated its copyright with his iconic image. AP then counter-sued, saying he had done so through his uncredited and uncompensated use of its picture.
The deal agreed in January called for both sides to work together with the image and share future rights to merchandise based on it.
As part of the deal, Fairey agreed not to use another AP photo in his work without first obtaining a licence.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Lol, that’s the pic I saw!!
Is that ‘House’ on the right side of that painting?
There are a million photo’s that look like that one ,, why not just say it was based on a snapshot you , the artist , took... screw the AP. It’s suffifiently altered as to make the original indeterminable.
And while many have speculated that it is directed specifically at Obama, some have pointed out that there is a splashing history against Shepard Fairey images.
Are you speaking for other FReepers now? lol
Agreed. There are probably fifty other photographs of him in the public domain that show a similar profile. Since AP is a media outlet the Fair Use Doctrine should come into play.
I will bet there are thousands of similar images of the Won with his snoot up in the air, every Teleprompter speech he gives there are dozens of similar poses, you could even overlay El Duche in the same manner.
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