In a developing news story, a copyright infringement lawsuit has been issued against the Detroit Lions by a photographer who claims the NFL team improperly used his photograph of renowned player Barry Sanders. The detailed image, which is estimated to be approximately 20 years old, is said to have been the basis for a statue of Sanders erected last year.
The photographer’s lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, asserts that the statue bears striking similarities to the photograph in question, replicating each detail meticulously. The lawsuit’s outcome will likely raise notable questions regarding intellectual property rights and their applicability in the realm of artwork and iconography in sports.
For more details regarding this unfolding litigation, you can read the complete court document here.