By Brian J. Pedersen arizona daily star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.18.2009 http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/280683.php The Arizona Daily Star has filed a civil suit against the members of a local punk-rock band that used a photograph of slain Tucson police Officer Erik Hite on its album cover.
The complaint, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, says Awful Truth committed copyright infringement when it used the photo for its album titled "Kill a Cop for God." The photo, taken by Star photographer James S. Wood, shows officers giving medical attention to Hite, who had been shot in the head on June 1, 2008, during a crosstown chase and shooting spree. "This is an image that is obviously . . . very sensitive to our community," Star Managing Editor Teri Hayt said. "A police officer killed in our community - it doesn't get more serious than that." Hite, 43, died on June 2. The man accused of shooting Hite, 26-year-old David "Nick" Delich, is scheduled to go to trial in January 2010. Awful Truth lead singer David Stine, 30, said Tuesday that he had not seen the complaint, but he didn't think there was anything wrong with using the photo to promote the band's album. "They used it in the newspaper," Stine said. "I figured once you see something in the newspaper . . . I didn't think they were trying to keep it for themselves." Photos taken by the Star are protected by copyright laws, Hayt said, and therefore they cannot be reproduced without permission. "We would have never given permission to use this image," Hayt said. "This band took this image and is using it to promote and sell their content. They have violated a copyright here." *********************************** * POST TO [email protected] * *********************************** Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
