Fox News and North Jersey Media Group Inc. have settled their dispute over unauthorized use of an iconic Sept. 11, 2001 photograph.
The picture in question (above) depicts firefighters raising the American flag amid the World Trade Center rubble.
“Fox News Network, LLC and North Jersey Media Group Inc. have agreed to a confidential settlement of their disputes. As a result of the settlement, North Jersey Media will discontinue its copyright infringement claims against Fox News, and Fox News will discontinue its copyright infringement and unfair competition claims against North Jersey Media,” Dori Ann Hanswirth of Hogan Lovells, the outside counsel representing Fox News in this matter, said in a statement.
The complaint accused FNC of posting the photo without permission on TV personality Bret Baier’s Facebook page.
The trial was scheduled to start today in Manhattan federal court, and will now not take place. North Jersey Media Group owns the photo through the photographer who snapped it and they were reportedly seeking $150,000 plus attorneys fees — which is a full penalty for copyright infringement. Fox News refused to pay, as the photo was reportedly available through the Associated Press image bank for $220.