The Artful Jurist

This Sunday will mark the official dedication of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.  It's the culmination of a long-time effort to bring such a memorial to the nation's capital.  For many who hold Dr. King in great reverence for his leadership in the civil rights movement, this will be a momentous occasion.

One would assume it will also be a proud moment for King's surviving family.  However, pride is one thing, and business is business.  It has been reported that the King family charged the foundation responsible for the memorial an estimated $800,000 for the use of Dr. King’s words and image in its fund-raising materials.

There are laws that govern the commercial use of a person's likeness even after death.  The King family has been known to be protective of Dr. King's image and words, and it has sued over unauthorized uses in the past.

Reportedly, the family didn't charge for the use of Dr. King's likeness as carved into the monument.