Obama Image Controversy

2009-02-10 05:40:48 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Justice News Flash, Top Stories)

The Obama Hope image is at heart of fair use lawsuit brought by its artist

Dallas, Texas — JusticeNewsFlash.Com — The creator of the famous artistic image of President Obama files lawsuit over his right to its use.

Shepard Fairey, the California artist whose “Obama Hope” works have garnered much attention has filed a lawsuit against the Associated Press over his right to use the famous image. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Fairey’s lawsuit, filed on Monday, is requesting that the artist be found not to be in violation of any copyright law because the 2006 AP photo image was dramatically changed.

The Associated Press threatened to sue Fairey over use of the photo, citing being owed compensation and credit for use of a photograph taken by Mannie Garcia as part of an AP assignment. Paul Colford, a spokesperson for the Associated Press, is quoted in the report as stating, “AP believes it is crucial to protect photographers, who are creators and artists. Their work should not be misappropriated by others.”

Anthony Falzone with the Fair Use Project, which participated in bringing forth the lawsuit, is further quoted in the report as stating, “There should be no doubt about the legality of Fairey’s work… He used the photograph for a purpose entirely different than the original, and transformed it dramatically.”

Photo Credit: David Shankbone