This week, George Zimmerman unleashed his latest painting — an ugly, heavy-handed rendering of Angela Corey, the special prosecutor on his trial. Much like his last “work,” which appropriated a stock photo of an American flag, this one liberally lifts from a preexisting image as well: an Associated Press photo of Corey taken by Rick Wilson, which was widely published during and after the trial.
We reached out to the AP to ask whether they’d pursue legal action against Zimmerman, like they did with Shepard Fairey. Paul Colford, the AP’s director of media relations, says they sent the artist a cease-and-desist. “George Zimmerman clearly directly copied an AP photo to create his painting of Florida State Attorney Angela Corey,” he told ANIMAL. “The AP has sent a cease-and-desist letter asserting its copyright in the photo to the lawyer who recently represented Zimmerman. That lawyer has responded, and though she no longer represents Mr. Zimmerman, she will be forwarding the letter to him today.”
We’ll see whether Zimmerman agrees to the AP’s request. If not, more aggressive legal action could be on the table. Both Wilson and his attorney declined to comment.
(Photo: Rick Wilson/Associated Press)
What are the odds that guy gets convicted of copyright infringement but not murdering a child? X:1 where X is…
I think the AP could just subtract whatever they win from a civil suit against Zimmerman from the amount they will owe Zimmerman when he wins a defamation suit against AP.
I don't like the scumbag at all, but it does seem weirdly outrageous that people have issues of someone appropriating an image, especially reading it on this site. Considering that this website promotes grey zone artist's activities, graffiti or other arts, it seems ironic. Zimmerman is unlike that douchebag Fairey, since he is not making a profit on the damn "painting." People, or artists, have been appropriating for a while, more like a long while, so it just seems funny that people are getting upset. You can't blame zimmerman and whine about him, while other's do the same crap.