The Shepard Fairey case

We totally support his cause. Artists should get their inspirations freely from every sources; since they make a NEW work with a NEW meaning, there is not any plagiarism.

Being inspired by a photo is not to copying. Photos are part of our modern environment, like Nature, and we can't blind our sight if we are artists. Nature can be Evil, but at least she doesn't denounce painters...

"I'm sure a lot of people are wondering about my case with the AP over the Obama HOPE poster," writes Shepard Fairey (Juxtapoz cover #82).
"I can't talk about every aspect of the case, but there are a few things I want to discuss and points I'd like to make.
"Most importantly, I am fighting the AP to protect the rights of all artists, especially those with a desire to make art with social commentary. This is about artistic freedom and basic rights of free expression, which need to be available to all, whether they have money and lawyers or not.
"I created the Obama image as a grassroots tool solely to help Obama get elected president. The image worked due to many complex variables. If I could do it all over again, I would not change anything about the process, because that could change the outcome. I am glad to endure legal headaches if that is the trade-off for Obama being president. ..." The story continues here...