The Associated Press and Shepard "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" Fairey have reached a settlement in the now two-years-long case over the AP photo of Barack Obama that Fairey appropriated to create his now iconic "Hope" image.
The AP issued a press release today stating:
In settling the lawsuit, the AP and Mr. Fairey have agreed that neither side surrenders its view of the law. Mr. Fairey has agreed that he will not use another AP photo in his work without obtaining a license from the AP. The two sides have also agreed to work together going forward with the Hope image and share the rights to make the posters and merchandise bearing the Hope image and to collaborate on a series of images that Fairey will create based on AP photographs. The parties have agreed to additional financial terms that will remain confidential.
In other words, Fairey is now the AP's bitch.
Perhaps a Shepard Fairey coffetable book of AP imagery is in the works?
In the AP's statement, Fairey is quoted:
"I am pleased to have resolved the dispute with the Associated Press," said Mr. Fairey. "I respect the work of photographers, as well as recognize the need to preserve opportunities for other artists to make fair use of photographic images. I often collaborate with photographers in my work, and I look forward to working with photos provided by the AP's talented photographers."
But like a pimp, the AP slapped a ho. Fairey's quote was immediately followed by:
The AP's copyright infringement lawsuit against [Fairey's] Obey Clothing, the marketer of apparel with the Hope image, remains ongoing.
