S&P sue skating photographer

[jcspkbfan]

I've never heard of the particular photographer S&P are suing, but $1,000 for an autographed photo sounds a little steep to me:

http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonNews/es.es-02-22-0003.html

[LTM]

If he's forging signatures shouldn't he be charged?

[Skatingsarah]

definelty, thats a big offense!

[bleu]

and he dare to charge $1000.00! Everyone will think that S&P are asking for $1000.00 when they are not even selling their photos to the fans anywhere close to that. I doubt they are even selling pictures at all. Just another headache for them to deal with.

[Halo girl]

The article is not at that same link anymore, and I don't remember all of it from the other day. Is he trying to say that he's selling them for the pair? Or is he just selling them on his own?

Forging their signatures is not right, but as for prices of autographs, it's not uncommon to get those prices. There are people who's sole way of making money is by collecting autographs and sell them at high prices. Usually, I believe it's more common to get a lot of money out of old autographs though. I would not think that a recent celebrity, especially not a "big one (people outside of skating fandom might not know who S&P are) would not bring in that much money anyway. Even more, with the autographs being forged, they wouldn't be worth anything more than the picture.

[pittypat]

Originally posted by Halo girl

Forging their signatures is not right, but as for prices of autographs, it's not uncommon to get those prices. There are people who's sole way of making money is by collecting autographs and sell them at high prices. Usually, I believe it's more common to get a lot of money out of old autographs though.

There is a company at a mall nearby that sells autographed pictures of The Famous, usually politicians.

Imagine my total surprise to see an autographed 8x10 publicity photo of Robert Kennedy on sale there for $5,000. I was surprised simply because I have the very same photo, personally autogrpahed by him, and had no idea it was worth that much $$$$$

[duane]

no offense, but who in their right mind would pay $1000 for an autographed photo of S&P? i mean, i can understand an authentic autographed photo of certain celebrities/athletes selling for thousands of dollars (Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, etc), but S&P??

[Skatewind]

Here is another link to an article about this:

http://canada.com/national/story.asp?id=9C04FA79-86C1-466B-85F2-F8F105C8AC41

Note that it says the photographs are signed, but it does not specifically indicate they have been *autographed* by the athletes. When dealing with limited edition prints, often signed can mean signed & numbered by the artist to identify it as a limited edition. That's completely different than autographed by S/P. Further details are needed.

[IgglesII]

Quote: "He further denied he used their personalities, images, names and reputations for commercial gain..."

Um....if these photos are for sale for up to $1000.00 a piece, then how exactly does he figure he's not using their "personalities, images, names and reputations for commercial gain"? If he stood in front of his house and took a photo of the first person who randomly walked by, he'd be hard-pressed to sell the photo for that much. The value is in that it's a photo of Jamie & David.

He also denies that they didn't give him permission - ok, then show the court the signed agreement with Jamie & David, or the witness to any possible oral agreement, in which they stated, "sure, go ahead and sell photos of us for a grand apiece. We don't mind."

[bleu]

Notice how he says that they are greed but goes ahead and ask for $700,000 if he wins the case and charge $1000. Now how many people in their right mind will think that these photographs are authentic?
:roll: :roll: :roll: