The Trump campaign may have violated United State copyright law by selling merchandise featuring the former president’s mugshot, legal experts have warned.
The Trump campaign may have violated United State copyright law by selling merchandise featuring the former president’s mugshot, legal experts have warned.
You hate to defend Trump, but that’s absolutely fucked. As far as I know you can’t refuse a mugshot, so you’re essentially compelled to release the rights to your likeness if you’re charged with a crime. I could see the logic if you’re convicted (under the 13th, which is still fucked), but that’s crazy before a trial/guilty verdict.
Anyway, just a layman’s take. Would love to hear what an actual lawyer has to say.
Whomever takes a picture owns the copyright. If you hand your camera to a stranger to take a family photo, legally that stranger owns the copyright on your family photo. In this case the county or county employee owns the copyright. And they should be suing anyone profiting from its use.
Edit: consent is irrelevant. That is a totally separate privacy issue.