The photographer who took the original photo of Michael Jordan alleges the copyright on the photo has been misused by Nike.
BY JACOB PALMER | OB DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
The photographer who took the original photo of Michael Jordan alleges the copyright on the photo has been misused by Nike.
Life Magazine photographer Jacobus Rentmeester snapped the photo that would later be inspiration for the Brand Jordan Division’s world-renowned logo. He said in a lawsuit that Nike, which owns the Jordan brand, has gone outside of its agreement made 30 years ago.
From the Portland Tribune:
Rentmeester’s attorneys claimed in the lawsuit that Nike paid the photographer $150 for use of the negatives. On Dec. 18, 2014, Rentmeester registered the Jordan photo with the U.S. Copyright Office.
According to the lawsuit, Nike reproduced the photo several times, including an image that put Jordan leaping with the Chicago skyline in the background. Rentmeester claims he contacted Nike about the reproductions and the company “only responded to his repeated requests when Mr. Rentmeester threatened litigation.”
After that, the lawsuit claims, Nike paid Rentmeester $15,000 for a limited license to use the image for two years. His lawsuit claims Nike “willfully exceeded the scope of the 1985 Jordan Photo Invoice by using the Nike Copy on billboards, posters and other promotional materials well beyond the two-year limit.”
OregonLive.com has more on the story, reporting on the circumstances and setup that made the breathtaking image possible:
Rentmeester, who worked as a staff photographer for Life magazine from 1966 to 1972 and as a freelancer for the publication until 2000, took photographs of track star Carl Lewis, diver Greg Louganis and hurdler Edwin Moses in addition to Jordan for the 22-page photo essay titled “American Excellence,” the lawsuit says.
It says Rentmeester arrived on the University of North Carolina campus in the summer of 1984 with two assistants. University staff told him Jordan would be available for 20 minutes.
To see the image and read more about the lawsuit and photo shoot, click here.
While news of Nike’s lawsuit came out Thursday, its competitor Adidas announced the launch of a shoe it hopes can boost North American sales.
The German shoemaker touted its Ultra Boost as the culmination of technological advances in the athletic shoe market.
From OregonLive.com:
“When you put it under people’s feet there’s nothing like it,” Chris Brewer, category manager for running specialty at Adidas, who is based at the company’s North American headquarters in Portland.
As Adidas makes strides in reclaiming market share in the U.S. and perhaps regains its status as the number two sports brand – relinquished last year to Under Armour – the company is counting on Boost’s appeal in several footwear categories.
