Obama ‘HOPE’ artist and AP settle copyright claims

NEW YORK (AP) — The artist who created the Barack Obama “HOPE” image and The Associated Press have agreed to settle their copyright infringement claims against each other.

Both sides announced the deal in a joint statement today. The agreement ends a fight that began after Shepard Fairey’s art based on an AP photograph became an iconic image in Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Fairey has agreed to not use another AP photograph in his work without obtaining a license from the AP. The two sides have also reached a financial settlement; terms weren’t disclosed.

The statement says neither side surrenders its view of the legal issues surrounding the dispute.

The deal also calls for both sides to work together with the “HOPE” image and share rights to make posters and merchandise based on it.