North Jersey Media Group Inc. recently sued SarahPac and Sarah Palin for copyright infringement over the use of a photo allegedly owned by NJMG. According to the complaint, on or about September 11, 2001, an employee of NJMG, acting within the scope of his employment, took a photograph of the three firefighters raising the American flag on the ruins of the World Trade Center site (the "WTC Flag Raising Photograph"). The WTC Flag Raising Photograph has become an iconic image that has received international attention. The complaint alleges that Sarah Palin and SarahPac have, without permission, posted a copy of the WTC Flag Raising Photograph on their web pages as a remembrance of the September 11 attacks, including www.sarahpac.com and www.facebook.com/sarahpalin. North Jersey Media group is seeking to enjoin the defendants from using the photo and damages for the use.
TIP: Photos or videos from historical events generally must be licensed from the copyright holder, just like any other photo or video.
