The Artful Jurist

Until it's time to render a verdict, Judges usually walk the line of neutrality while hearing a case.  But that doesn't mean a judge can't suggest that the parties try to work it out amongst themselves, and that's what a federal judge in New York has recommended in the much publicized case involving artist Shepard Fairey's "Obama Hope" poster.

Mr. Fairey has been at odds with the Associated Press, which claims the artist, in creating the poster, made an unauthorized copy of the A.P.'s copyright protected photograph of then presidential candidate Barack Obama.  Mr. Fairey has admitted that the poster was based on an A.P. photo.  He has also admitted that he originally lied about which photo he had used.

The New York Times reports that U.S. District Court Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has urged the the parties to try to resolve the matter, and he is further reported to have said that the A.P. is eventually going to win, anyway.