UM football legend Desmond Howard now owns the copyright to a famous photo of him snapped 23 years ago.
That dramatic pose doesn't accompany articles about a court settlement because it can't be used commercially without the ex-players OK.
Here's the new legal development, announced Tuesday and reported by WWJ:
Desmond Howard, 1991 Heisman Trophy Winner from the University of Michigan, and professional photographer Brian Masck have reached a settlement of their respective claims against each other over copyright, publicity rights and other related issues involving what has become known . . . as the “Heisman Pose” photo.
In November 1991, Masck, a freelance photographer, photographed Howard in the end zone at Michigan Stadium after the wide receiver returned a punt 93 yards against Michigan rival Ohio State. As Howard briefly recreated the stance found on the prestigious Heisman Trophy he would go on to win the following month, Masck snapped a photo that would become an iconic image. . . .
Masck will transfer and assign the copyright in the “Heisman Pose” photograph to Howard. This agreement makes Desmond Howard the sole copyright holder of a valuable sports image bearing his own likeness – an unusual arrangement for any former collegiate or professional athlete – and will allow Howard and Masck to both benefit from the commercial use of the photo.
Masck sued Howard and others for unauthorized use of the photo, which Masck copyrighted in 2011. The photographer had sold framed reproductions and merchandise decorated with it.
Howard, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, is in his ninth year as an ESPN college football analyst.
Earlier coverage at Deadline Detroit:
You've Seen The Desmond Howard Photo, Now Read About The Lawsuit, March 11, 2013
