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Obama 'HOPE' poster artist gets probation

Dunya News

Artist who created HOPE poster for Obama in 2008 was sentenced Friday to 2 years of probation.

Prosecutors had told a U.S. magistrate judge that Shepard Fairey had both an ideological and financial motive to alter evidence in his favor after basing his poster on one of the APs photographs.Faireys lawsuit in 2009 sought a court declaration that he did not violate APs copyrights when he made the Obama image.The AP countersued, saying the uncredited, uncompensated use of its picture both violated copyright laws and was a threat to journalism.The government had said in a presentence memorandum that Fairey, 42, should serve some prison time. No prison term, it said, would send a terrible message to others who might engage in similar conduct.Defense attorneys argued that a prison term was not warranted, noting that the misdemeanor charge carries a potential of only six months in prison.After spending a great amount of time, energy and legal effort, all of us at The Associated Press are glad this matter is finally behind us, AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt said in a statement.We hope this case will serve as a clear reminder to all of the importance of fair compensation for those who gather and produce original news content.Defense attorneys said Fairey is contrite and noted that he settled his civil case with the AP on unfavorable terms that included sanctions.The government outlined in its court papers that the deal required Fairey to pay the AP $1.6 million, with an insurance company contributing about $450,000 of that amount.The defense lawyers called his crime the worst mistake of his life and said he altered evidence not to better his chances of winning the lawsuit or to enrich himself, but out of fear of embarrassment.The lawyers wrote that Fairey has already suffered significant damage to his reputation, adding that an Internet search of his name now produces results not just about his artistic and civic accomplishments, but also many web sites degrading him for his misconduct.