Stylized Derivative of Wisconsin Major Photo on T-Shirt Deemed Fair Use

by Nancy Wolff, PACA Counsel  Michael Kienitz v. Sconnie Nation LLC and Underground Printing-Wisconsin LLC, No. 13-3004 (7th Cir., September 15, 2014)Michael Kienitz photographed the Wisconsin major, Paul Klogin, at his 2011 inauguration.  With Kienitz’s permission (but no fee), the major posted the portrait on the official city’s website.  An artist operating under Sconnie Nation LLC modified the photo and made t-shirts to be sold and worn at the 2012 Mifflin Street Block Party – an event that is designed to poke fun at authority.  The modified photo was colorized, posturized, and included multi colored type “Sorry For Partying.”   See the entire article here