Copyright Law and Shepard Fairey

Wow - I can't believe how ridiculous the whole copyright argument is between AP and Shepard Fairey.  If I were a judge in the courts I would throw out AP's argument as being completely frivolous.  Honestly, one of their people took a picture.  Do they own the face in the picture just because they photographed it?  I would think President Obama should be paid lots of money by literally everyone that has ever taken a picture of him over the years and used it in any way.  My feeling is that anyone putting anything on the internet should make it exceedingly clear if their item is not to be used without pay.  If they fail to do so, then it's fair game / fair use without question.  The courts should not be wasting taxpayer money on cases like this.  Creative Commons would have no doubt made a difference in this case, but AP is using a large safety net that "everything" they touch is protected.  Very self-serving.  I like the part in the article Lisa provided (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29023218/) that said the Obama campaign thanked Mr. Fairey for using his talent in support of his campaign.  That statement alone should close the matter.  Mr. Obama was ok with the use of his face in that poster.  Nothing more needs to be said. 

I tried the "thermal" effect in Blibs on a picture of me and Ben Franklin (will I get contacted by Ben's attorneys for using his image????).  Love that site!  Fun!