Fox News Network copyright infringement lawsuit has been resolve, the network said on Tuesday. Both the said network and North Jersey Media agreed to drop the lawsuits filed against each other. The copyright issue stemmed due to the network's use of an iconic photo of September 11 tragedy, which the North Jersey Media Group owns the right.
A representative from Fox News issued a statement regarding the said case. Dori Ann Hanswirth from Fox News said, the North Jersey Media Group will discontinue the filed "copyright infringement claims against their network". While they will also drop its "copyright infringement and unfair competition claims against North Jersey Media Group", Reuters reported.
Both parties agreed to drop the lawsuits on a confidential settlement, as terms of the deal were not disclosed to the public and media. NJMG has also refused to make a comment about the said case. According to Law Newz, North Jersey Media Group was angered on Fox News Network's claims on an iconic photo from the September 11, 2011 terror attack. The picture was taken by Thomas Franklin, an employee from NJMG. The said photo depicts firefighters raising the U.S. flag at the site of the World Trade Center ruins.
With NJMG's representing attorney, William Dunnegan, the group claimed copyright in legal action. However, Fox News Network said their use of the said photo fell under the "fair use". The Roger Ailes-run cable news giant responded by countersuing against NJMG, Deadline reported.
The network also claims the publisher group posted various Fox News videos without the broadcaster's permission. The lawsuits were consolidated for trial. Fox News stated on the court papers heading into trial that its uses of the "visually altered, significantly cropped, and low-resolution versions" of the photo were for the purposes of news reporting or commentary.
Americans sees the picture as a symbol of resilience after the hijacked plane attacks on New York and Washington in 2001 that killed nearly 3,000 people.
