The doctrine of fair use under the U.S. copyright law protects the works of artists such as sculptors, and likewise, photographers hold legal protection against unauthorized profit-making from their works. This legal framework is currently on a testing ground as the NFL and the Detroit Lions face an uncommon copyright infringement lawsuit revolving around a statue of Hall of Fame player, Barry Sanders.
Going beyond the niche of sports, this case lays a new field of focus on the intersection of copyrights owned by different artists. In this case, the sculptor of the celebrated statue and the photographer who captured its beauty, both claim entitlement to the copyright. Legal professionals will be carefully following the trajectory of this case, given that its conclusion may affect copyright protection, interpretation, and enforcement.
Despite the complexities of this legal landscape, the guidance provided by the U.S. copyright law will undeniably play a significant role in determining the outcome of this case. Therefore, it is highly recommended that legal professionals who either advise on or litigate copyright issues take a closer look at this ongoing litigation.