The AP claims copyright ownership in, and makes commercial use of, many photographs that consist almost entirely of copyrighted artwork of Fairey and other artists without permission.
Excerpt from “Fairey Answer to AP Counterclaims” • This court document from Shepard Fairey (the guy behind the iconic Obama poster and Obey Giant), among other things, attacks the Associated Press for a double standard. The AP is asking Fairey for compensation for using one of their photos to create his Obama artwork. Fairey then sued to have a court say his art is fair use. The document notes that the AP used his artwork and the artwork of others to create numerous photos which they then sell on their Web site. Double standard, anyone? • source