Artist sues FX for copyright infringement

Artist Michel Leah Keck filed suit in federal court this week claiming that FX Networks used three pieces of her artwork without permission.

Indiana-based Keck named FX and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment as defendants in the copyright infringement suit. The complaint states that Keck's paintings appeared on FX's popular animated series Archer, as part of the design of the show's fictional spy headquarters.

She alleges that the works Sink or Swim, The Best Is Yet to Come and I Don't Want to Hear It appear on the wall of character Malory Archer's office in the show's International Secret Intelligence Service headquarters. Included in the suit were comparisons between Keck's works and the artwork that hangs on the walls of Malory's office, and copies of Keck's registration with the United States Copyright Office.

"FX Networks and Fox Home Entertainment operate sophisticated media production and distribution businesses with trained staff and an excellent working knowledge of copyright law principles and rights-clearance practices. Inexplicably, defendants used the works as part of Archer without even seeking the necessary permission to do so," the 17-page federal complaint stated.

Keck is being represented by Joshua Bressler of Bressler Law, and is seeking $30,000 per infringement, or up to $150,00 per infringement if the violation is found to be intentional.

The artist describes herself as "a self-taught, abstract painter" on her website. She works in a variety of mediums, and her abstract pieces, which seem influenced by Chinese-born artist Zao Wou-ki, are offered at prices around $15,000.

Archer premiered on FX in 2009, and is currently in its sixth season. The show features a fictional spy agency called International Secret Intelligence Service and follows the adventures and mishaps of the suave and often clueless agent Sterling Archer.

If you suspect your copyrights have been infringed upon contact an experienced business attorney to make sure your rights are protected.

Categorised in: Intellectual Property Law

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