Artinfo is reporting that Shepard Fairey's lawyers have released a statement saying they are still representing him in his legal battle against Associated Press photographer Mannie Garcia.
Photo District News was reporting Monday that Fairey's lawyers had filed notice that they intended to stop representing him.
Earlier this week, Fairey issued a statement on his website changing his story about where he obtained the photo used in the famous Obama "Hope" poster. Earlier in the year, Photo District News had written an article debunking Fairey's claim that he cropped the image of Obama's face out of a photo depicting Obama and actor George Clooney.
The Associated Press accused Fairey of copyright infringement because the well-known campaign poster closely resembled a photo Garcia had taken. Garcia later joined the case.
The photo that Fairey now admits to using is substantially similar to the "Hope" poster.
The case involved issues of fair use and copyright infringement that could have a major impact on how well photographers are able to protect their work.
For more information, follow the story on Photo District News, see A Photo Editor's comparison of the three photos, or check out analysis by Wired, and this great explanation of the case by the Wall Street Journal Law Blog.
Comments