Overview
On Monday, professional photographer Richard Noble sued Nike for copyright infringement for the alleged infringing use of an iconic photo of former MLB and NFL star Bo Jackson. Noble claims that the picture, showing Jackson in football pads while holding a baseball bat, helped spark the popular “Bo Knows” advertising campaign of the late ’80s. Noble claims to have granted Nike a limited license to the image for use in its ad campaign back in the 80s, but that Nike again began to use the image more recently without his consent. Noble alleges that Nike used the image on Facebook and Twitter, and that it was used to promote a film about Jackson on ESPN, even after he refused to re-license the image for the more recent uses. The photographer is seeking a permanent injunction on Nike's use of the image, as well as profits from the infringement or statutory damages. The case has been assigned to Judge Schofield.