A photographer is suing Nike for violating the copyright of the iconic 1984 Jumpman logo photo, saying his use of a photo was the inspiration to the legendary Jumpman logo (below photo).
The lawsuit says Nike paid photographer Rentmeester $150 in August 1984 for temporary use of two 35mm transparencies of Jordan he shot for Life magazine, later returning the images lest the company be charged an additional $500.
Rentmeester contacted Nike upon learning of its image and “Nike initially refused to speak with Mr. Rentmeester regarding the issue,” the lawsuit says, “and only responded to his repeated requests when Mr. Rentmeester threatened litigation.”
The lawsuit says Nike paid Rentmeester $15,000 in March 1985 for a limited license to use the image of the soaring Jordan for two years.
But Nike exceeded the agreement in marketing materials as well as creating, in 1987, the Jumpman logo — a silhouette inspired by the soaring image, the lawsuit says.
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