The recent threat from the AP to sue Shepard Fairey for copyright infringement for his iconic “Hope” poster of Barack Obama, based on a 2006 photograph taken from AP photographer Mannie Garcia, has once again brought media attention to the contested territory of copyright law in the digital age. Fairey contents that his work is protected under the principle of “Fair Use,” however AP asserts that the image was used without permission and are seeking payment for its use and subsequent profits.

Utilizing this case as a stepping off point please join our guest panelists David Greene, Executive Director and Staff Counsel from the First Amendment Project, James Wheaton, Senior Counsel and First Amendment Project co-founder, and Diane Peters, General Counsel from Creative Commons for what promises to be an engaging, educational and lively discussion about the adaptation and evolution of copyright in the digital age. Find out about the law, what protections you have and do not have as a photographer in this quickly changing landscape. The panel will be moderated by UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Professor, Ken Light.

The First Amendment Project is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and promoting freedom of information, expression, and petition. For nearly ten years, FAP has provided advice, educational materials, and legal representation to its core constituency of activists, journalists, and artists in service of these fundamental liberties.

Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright. They provide free licenses and other legal tools to mark creative work with the freedom the creator wants it to carry, so others can share, remix, use commercially, or any combination thereof.

*Also be sure to listen to the Feb. 26th Fresh Air episode where Terry Gross interviews Shepard Fairey.