AllupInyourBiz

Shepard Fairey is back at it, producing artwork for a “good cause.” The image to the left, is for a World Wildlife Foundation campaign to get everyone to turn out their lights for an hour on March 28th. Lets hope that Shep doesn’t get in any trouble for this one. He has been going through some rough times lately, including being arrested last Sunday. In addition, he is being sued by the Associated Press, for infringing copyright.

The iconic “Hope” image that was created and distributed by Fairey, during the Obama campaign, was tracked back to an Associated Press photo taken by Mannie Garcia, on assignment  by AP. The AP is now suing Fairey, claiming copyright infringement. Can you image the can of worms that is liable to open? Anyone who has done a stencil, can now owe royalties to the photographer who produced the picture it was taken from? Is the guy who took the Andre the Giant photo that Fairey modeled his “Obey” campaign on, now going to come out of the woodwork demanding cash?

Fairey’s lawyers argue that there is no infringement, under the “fair use” doctrine. I feel kind of bad for the guy. I hope that he doesn’t lose this one. Can you imagine the kind of damages that he would have to pay? That “Hope” piece was EVERYWHERE. I hope that if he does lose, that the court at least takes into account the fact that the profit generated from the piece, was primarily used to print and distribute more copies.

Here is the AP photo and the Fairey piece, side by side. You be the judge.

Tats crew painted this “Stop Snitchin’” mural under permission from the owner of the building at the time. According to Animalnewyork, Tats crew now plans to sue the city, who issued a summons to the building owner, causing the mural to be buffed, because the City deemed it to be graffiti. As Animalnewyork points out, the cru doesn’t really have a case, since the city had permission from the new building owner to buff out the art. I have to say that I can’t really blame the City in this instance. The whole “stop snitchin’” campaign is ridiculous. It is just another example of organized crime trying to instill fear in those who aid law enforcement. How about, stop breakin’ the law. Then there would be nothing to snitch about.

The guitar strokin’ jackass, Times Square regular, known as the Naked Cowboy, was arrested in San Francisco last Friday. According to the NY Post, Mr. Cowboy was performing in a “restricted area.” It is a bit ironic, that he was arrested in San Francisco, the place notorious for coddling fringe movements and for touting a self-awarded “progressive” title. I’m sure that this isn’t the first time that a guitar playing long-hair in his underwear has been thrown in cuffs, in San Fran.