CNN

Last week Kiera referred to the prisdent as Obama this wk Mr Obama I wonder in 98 yrs of Bush if she ever referred to Bush as Bush or Mr Bush I think it was always Prsident Bush or just the President? Just Curious??

Can we please do something about this world and this system can punish people who offer creativity and hope but people like Bernie Madoff can get off scott free? Nobody's listening! This is like the holocaust!

That whole painting is Graffiti.....take him out behind the barn and shoot him for painting that crap

Give me a freaking break. LA is a dump with or without graffiti. I say it improves the place.

Well let's see...according to copyright law Section 103 isn't this a "derivative work" that doesn't affect the original photo? I think it's a great work of art. Ok, so he pays the fines for graffiti...but arrest him? Why? I can think of better use of a city's money in this economy than throw a graffiti artist in jail.

This artist should be held accountable for his actions as to the damage to private property. As far as the copy right laws and art, I thought all that was sorted out in the 60ties with PoP art. I wonder what Andy Warhol or Robert Rauschenberg would have to say about it all.

I can't believe you ppl defend him. Graffiti and copyright infringements are against the law. People are arrested all over the country for the same thing, along with rapists and murders and Tax Cheats... oh wait...

I thought of it was red orange and blue

That's right, the nut jobs supported Obama.

A photographer makes his living by taking those "snaps" that any three year old can take. Do you have a three year old ? Do their photos have people without their heads like my three year old takes??? There are snapshots and then there are photographs. You are going to tell me that Ansel Adams and you can both get the same scene?? I think not. When a photographer has a copyright it is the only protection they have for their livelihood, and it is the LAW. Just as with music copyrights so are photographic copyrights.

Is it just me or does that painting look like a typical Communist artwork from the Soviet era?

To the socialist I ask...
If you step out of your car and leave the keys – is it okay for someone else to drive away with it? If you drop $20 to the floor – is it still yours? When you walk down the street are you too a part of the public domain – Your physical being – can anything be done to you? Losing your rights is losing your rights. If you have none, you have none – there isn't any picking and choosing with socialism. In your world, graffiti artists don't have any rights either – so they shouldn't be "claiming" anything or profiting from anything with individualized "stamps" or "marks" no matter who created the original... sounds like a "street version" of attempted capitalism to me. Go figure! Nothing original here at all – criminals always evoke the laws of the same system they abused to protect themselves – yawn. Learn your rights and allow yourself the TRUE freedom we need in order to actually be creative!

I wonder if Obama's grandmother really died of natural causes. I mean, he went there and shortly thereafter she died. Was he afraid that she was going to spill the beans about him? Makes you think...unless you are a card carrying democrat...then thinking is to hard and you just raise your hand to the obamessiah.

Perfect timing...duh...he just an artist and you now want to arrest him. Phelps had a photo too...you wanna arrest for that too...economy is more important!!

It is a matter of time when Mr. Teflon himself will be smudged.

Please forgive him. along with Michael Phelps, A-Rod, Martha whats her name. Write a freaking book get rich and get over it.

I don't believe in this copyright crap. I will use any picture I choose to, no I will not pay 1 cent to anyone for it. But then again not being a capitalist I won't try to make any money with it. Once in the public domain it belongs to the people!

A criminal is a criminal, regardless if he's creating "art" or whatever. I get sick of that OBEY crap around my neighborhood on every stoplight controller box.

Leave it to Boston's Finest to never miss a photo op.

How many stupid people does it take to comment on an even stupider article? See above.

NOPE

Fairey is so full of crap, I remember him from SF 20 years back always trying to get something-anything sold so its no surprise he ripped off an actual artist to get cash and attention-wheres his posse now? Also he is by far dumbest person on Charlie Rose I have ever seen.

I think Steele meant government never created a job IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.......and he would be right.

If stupidity is a crime.....I say he's guilty.

So stupid. I don't even have words.

I want to do a graffiti campaign blasting all Boston bridges and street signs with it. And my posters will say "Free Shepard Fairy!"

I am always amazed how Republicans seem able to see from both sides of their faces. Pot smoking, adultery, pill popping, losing billions of dollars of public funds, lying to the American people about going to war, are all excuseable when its a Republican but a crime if it happens to a Democrat. It must be nice to be able to decide when morality matters and when it doesnt.

I'm always pro-artist. With all the photos taken of Obama, or any public figure, it must be pretty tough to prove copyright infringement based on a separate piece of artwork created by an artist, who never used the real photo anywhere in their work.

The Obey symbol has been a graffiti mark for almost 20 years now. I suppose it's that he "switched coasts" for this round of tagging that got him in trouble!

One other quick thing...if we're so concerned about "infringement" on media such as stickers, posters and t-shirts...maybe we should make some laws that protect artists...anyone look at the copyright infringement cesspool that is "CafePress" lately?

Shame on you Boston! Is this what our tax payer dollars is going to? How about the real criminals that are walking the streets right now?!?!? What a waste, I live there btw. And let me tell you our resources are better spent on something like fighting the ongoing violence in the Dorchester area and keeping our kids safe.

Go Faire, can't wait to see your exhibit at the ICA, you work is inspiring.

I love his works. Yet, one who breaks the law should be punished. I would say that graffiti should be considered a low offense felony (yes – felony) since it causes property damage and punishable by 30 days in jail and/or community service. Fairey needs to learn to get permission prior to painting on public places. I seriously doubt many would object to having one of his paintings on the side of their building if it enhances the look.

I would bet the same group of people on here complaining that he should not be arrested would be begging the cops to arrest someone if their own house had a mural painted on it overnight without their permission. You would probably complain even more when the cops take a report and do not immediately follow up on it.

In the west coast Art world, Fairey is well know for his stealing of other peoples art, just google:'Shepard Fairey plagiarism' and see clear examples. In same cases, he has had to go back and pay artists. His lawyer must be busy!

There's graffiti and then there's public art. Go arrest some REAL criminals.

Foolishness. The photographer that took the photo created nothing except take a picture that any three year old could take as well with a little training. The fact that a great artist (that CAN produce art) actually decided to embellish the photo is a compliment. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and inspiration can come from any one of us, even an AP photographer hack that snaps a lucky shot. That photographer should be on her knees giving thanks that an artist so high up the food chain took notice and should be in the office beating the lawyers to death that want to crush this sort of creativity.

the A.P. just mad that Faireys looks better their pants
JUST HIRE THE GUY

What?! This is crazy. It must be a slow news day.

Also, Larry King is so stupid for having a real wresler on the show to challenge Mikey Rouke. What is this a street fight. CNN makes me sick because just when you want to give them credibility, they turn circus circus on you. Stupid show on Larry King tonight. Mickey Rouke is a champ for ignoring Larry and his wrestler friend.

Hey people he broke the law which means he needs to recieve the esults of his actions. He was arrested for graffittie something he has apparently done before. As far as we know he may have been pulled over for a traffic violation and when the ran his name they same the warrent and did their job of arresting him so leave the cops alone. And yes this has nothing to do with Obama.

If you wanna arrest. Arrest the real criminals Bush and Chenney, and leave this guy alone, he's just an Artist, for God sake.

There's another stimulus package line item, new job creation removing graffiti from public buildings. Is anyone aware of what this costs governments across the country every year? Some places they shoot people for destroying property, better he was arrested I say.

I don't understand, are people who meet the president personally allowed to draw them. ridiculous. I better tell my 6 year to draw only things he sees. I guess I better take him scuba diving before he draws anykind of fish.

The AP? You bunch of woosies. You would not be able to dream up something yourself so you have to take it from someone else. Typical of the crap that happens to artists. Greed.

Good grief. Aren't there any real crimes happening in Boston, so the law can have something real to do?

Another crook linked to Obama?

I like the fact that the AP now claims to own Obama's image.

Talk about chutzpah!

This sort of stuff is why people are against IP law.

You can't "own" a frontal view of the President.

If the artist made copies of the AP photo, yes, that is copyright infringement.

But to use the image of the president as an inspiration for a completely new work, well, that's a whole different deal.

Obama's Face is not Copyrigthable.

(Maybe he needs to wear a Buhrka to prevent infringement?)

AP, shame on you.

Graffitti artist, go clean up your graffitti!

Romney2012,

I'm a LIBERAL, and proud as heck of it!******You, on the other hand, are an alien. You are from the planet Dork, where these are the rules of law: We win or else. It's our way or the highway. We don't believe in diversity, unless your name is Michael Steele. Our religion is the letter "D." ******Romney2012, you are Dismissed.

anyone who voted for obama or supports him in any way is clearly a criminal. the blatant anti-americanism of these subhuman liberals is an abomination, and these so called "artists" are the worst of all. the only answer is for we real americans to retake the nation by force. if we simply fill up some camps (denver airport for example) with all these democratic idiots and introduce a "final solution", our once proud nation might survive.

don't give up my fellow republicans! they can't make us think!

Wow, I can't believe this guy has to go to jail because of a painting. I mean look at it, it's very impressive. Even if it was copied by the AP organization, it's still nice to look at. Hell, i wouldn't mind him painting that on my wall in my room. I say get him a break. Let the guy go.

Should have put diollars signs in the subjec's eyes. this is just one of huge wasteful spending sprees that the new administration will copy from the old Bush flop. CVan't anyone hear the sounds of hoof-beats-haste makes waste and fools make awful polic=ticians, or visa versa,

My comment was meant to be a joke... I hope people actually realize that

Boston has real problems, this artist should be among the least of their worries.

A further example of how the cops continue to loose the respect of the people. Next for them, extreme budget cuts and a populace willing not to fund. Money for cops/prisons or healthcare/education, not a hard choice for me.

Next he will be painting Pot for sale signs and hanging them on the white house fence. BO will not doubt be a regular...

If his art – or graffiti- looks like this picture, then he should be left alone.
If it is more traditional tagging- something a man of his age should have outgrown, then throw him in jail!

We have entire wings of museums dedicated to gariffit that has a meaning or art value. We need to learn the difference between that and vandalism.

I type 60 words per minute...I sometimes make mistakes in my spelling ...as in my previous comment...........LIKE I SAID>>>>> THE ARTIST WON ....YOU ALL LOOK AT IT FROM THE WRONG PERSPECTIVE......JUST AS BOB MARLEY WON....and "THIS GUY" Brandon...already is willing to jump into his ( the artist`s grave) ! ! ! PITY !

Great timing, the guy is finally breaking into the mainstream and they arrest him on the way to a showing? Get real, go find some killers.

And yes, AP, this is fair use. Get over yourselves.

Funny that CNN would have something about a street artist and nothing about the investigations about Mike Steele's inappropriate use of campaign contributions. Interesting you are not vetting this man( who pretended to be a Democrate in his losing Senate run )like you did every Democratic nominee!!

I wonder how much money republicans will spend, this time, chasing Obama supporters like they did Clinton supporters. Obama's administration will have to raise taxes to pay for the republican witch hunts.

Just another criminal in the Obama camp

I don't know any real artist. case in point

I am an Artist....and I know everyone hates us ! Until the can benefit from our hard work. And make a large profit from our works. However we are still hated ...only the money is loved. Lokk at what happened to Purvis Young....from Miami, Florida. I will not stop being an Artist no matter what! Need I remind everyone in the entire world...if it were not for artists....nothing would be built or drawn or...blueprinted...etc. So when you decide you do not like artists...lokk around you FOOL! Big Up tp the Artist who won the battle!

The thugs of the BuschReich go free, and an artist goes to jail. Only in Amerika!

He is no great artist or anything but at least he is out there doing it. usually artist are a dime a dozen. it is good to see one seperated themeselves from the crowd, even though it's crap I like the guy. unlesss his friends think he is a wanker or a squid, then i'm probably on their side.

Michea steele=The current republican party chairman.

Over the years, money trouble has been a persistent problem for Steele. His first race for public office, a 1998 bid for the Republican nomination for state comptroller, ended nearly $35,000 in debt, much of it to his sister. He was fined twice by state officials for missing deadlines to file campaign finance reports and was in debt and had faced foreclosure in 2001, the year before he was selected as Ehrlich's running mate. The state party threw Steele a financial lifeline, awarding him an unusual $30,000 consulting contract.

I am an Artist...I know everyone hates us !
Until they can gain from our works...however they still hate us ...but love the money ! ! Lokk at what happened to Purvis Young...from Miami Florida ! !

This artist is creative, and should be honored for his work and not arrested. How about the police doing some heavy lifting and arresting real criminals.

adam.peart: "Jon Stewart isn't touching an Obama joke with a ten foot pole"

He's been doing Obama jokes all along. So you're either ignorant or a liar.

The painting was creative and was MUCH MORE than the photo.
The AP's photograph was just a photo.
The artist will win this one in court.
AP doesn't have a chance of winning.

LOL What an idiot!

now that this guy is gone they might need new marketing. check out my portfolio.

–bray

I'd let the guy come do graffiti on my house.

All of the crap going on in Boston–including rapes of college women-and this is what Boston cops contribute, keeping us all a little bit safer.

(And yes, the guy who raped a young friend near BU a year and a half ago–not caught. Nothing heard from the Boston police department.)

The cops might be able to do more than one thing at a time, but it seems that they don't, so grab the low hanging fruit: graffit artist, especially if one can make the national news.

I can't believe I just heard Steele on CNN just say that government has never created a job. I guess the military is ran and created by a bunch of elves living in a tree.

Jon Stewart isn't touching an Obama joke with a ten foot pole, as for the prop[aganda] artist...."Hope" he's got a good lawyer.

When Monkey House rocks, he rocks the D sippers.

The guy is good...CNN should post some of his 'wall and bridge' paintings....... A ture artist.

Good for Boston, the guy stole an AP image... Art.. Not really

Arrested for graffiti? He's graffiti artist for crying out loud. Big story about nothing if you ask me, but I'm sure it will be Fox New's cover story for half a year lol.

This is dedicated to Dave and Gene – a bipartisan salute. I bet his "graffiti" is really great looking. Many places in big cities like to have free lance art work on buildings. Take a walk around parts of DC – some graffiti is really good art work. I would bet his is too!

Dammmmm! My son is guilty of copywright infringe3ment too! He used the photo in a book report!

The artist Sheperd Fairey has always been known for his street art campaigns. That was the whole point of getting him to do work for Obama – it worked, he got a lot of young voters. This isn't the first time he's been arrested either...

Shepard Fairey is overrated.

This is all Bob Barr's fault. Told you he wasn't qualified to run for president.

Sorry, I just had to join in.

One man {Mannie Garcia} did a photo; One man{Fairey} did a painting. The photo was not "famous" the painting got noticed. The painter should win this one.

just looked at the photo it is a dead on match to his painting ooops I guess he didn't think the poster would be a big hit .

Oh for heaven's sake, Farley's poster is more interesting and inspiring than the original photo. If he made money, let him settle with Mannie Garcia. Fair is fair, but this seems an obsessive enforcement of the law. I haven't seen his graffiti. I have seem some displays that are called art and look like graffiti. (As for recent Republican commentary, Obama has been president for just 2 1/2 weeks, and they are on his case already for not yet fixing their mess. Clearly, their objective is to do all in their power to portray him as failng at every opportunity in the hope that if they say it often enough, those who are dumb enough will believe it! So much for working together!)

Honestly, they need to just cool it already. So what. Let the man go, he hasn't done anything wrong other than capture a nations attention that the original photo obviously didn't manage to do.

I liked the Andre the Giant work...who doesn't like Andre the Giant.

Dude...he was in The Princess Bride! Come on...Fezzig. Don't these guys watch movies?

Fairey has a loooong history of plagiarizing other peoples work. He's a hack.

Except Gene's type of comments actually appear on sites like this. No liberals say what you just said, Dave.

copyright infringement is serious stop stealing. pay the man.

He did not break any copyright laws by creating a painting of portrait. If he had printed the portrait and then maninpulateded it, then copyright is broken, but if he in fact actually drew it and then painted it that is HIS interpertation of the portrait which is not a copy right violation. Plus, as far as I understand, the photographer did not go thru the steps to get the phone 'officially copyrighted".

Lol, they arrest him, but not Dick Cheney.

I don't get it.

I sure didn't vote for Obama however where I live we just had a police officer shot in the head....murder suicide, a stabbing, and countless other real crimes. What a waste of time to lock up this "criminal."

This is pretty stupid and probably staged...do you think that the cops have more serious outstanding warrants to serve? However, arresting this guy is easy and it makes the news...

You seems to know all Obama's fault, you guys should run for the President job, ohh genie ohh dave, dive out of the genie bottle.

People can't even sneeze with out it being reported on.

Doesnt everybody get their 15 minutes?Even dittoheads?

Boston is backward.

How many guys connected to Obama are going to get into problems with the law.
It ranges from tax evasion,to dodgy business dealings(richardson),to grafitti.
Next thing,we'lll find out his secretary for the environmrnt is selling drugs to kids!

Guys a loser. Notice how the portrait of Obama actually looks like Fairey. He's just self promoting his self and the Obama supporters bought it. LOL

For in-depth analysis and perspective on this story and more, tune into the Colbert Report.

I love the Fairey iconic depiction of Obama.

But as an artist myself who does a lot of portrait and sports related reproduction work, I have to respect photographers and be very careful not to "duplicate" a photo with a printed piece. The photo that Fairey worked from is a great one. The artist has to be "inspired" by the photo and not necessarily "replicate" it. The photographer is an artist too and should get some credit if that's the case.

That being said, I think Fairey did enough alterations to the basic feel of the photo to be let off the copyright hook here.

The AP should let this one go.

Hopelessly stupid.

sounds like joe the plumber and levi "palin" – people who probably never envisioned sudden celebrity status now have tons of skeletons to hide.

Stewart will surely make fun of conservatives for trying to get to Obama through this guy. Here's what he'll be able to point out:

1. The use of the AP image was fair use - perfectly legal.

2. The Andre the Giant thing went viral years ago, which means there's no way to prove this guy was the one who drew any particular image. Heck I had a stencil of it when I was on the streets, myself, and so did all my friends.

Wow, not even Obama's artist can stay out of trouble. Barack man, you is mixin with the wrong crowd boy!!

This is one more chapter from Obama show. What a disgrace.

It's Sarah Palin's fault! Just thought I'd get the first left wing nut comment out of the way.

The artist is a sham. I'm waiting to see how long it will be before this country realizes that this President's " recovery" program is a sham.
Probably around the time that everyone realizes how much change his "Change" will cost.

No healthcare = taxcut, No job = taxcut, No 401k = taxcut....... Thats the republican way.......

Shepard Fairey has always been a graffiti artist. I, for one, like graffiti. Except when someone spraypaints it on my car. So, I can see why someone like him would get arrested. I bet he will be asking President Obama for a pardon, claiming that he, Shepard Fairey, got Obama into office through his iconic imagery of the President. Everyone knows this is a lie, and Obama Girl is the real one who got Barack Obama elected. Anyway, I can see why Mr. Fairey's lawyer does not return calls on a Saturday. That is the Sabbath! It would be blasphemy against G-d to return calls on Saturday, if it is part of your job representing your client, since it is a day of rest, which means you do not do your job.

Oh, now I get it: hope for a purple America. That's why the red and blue hues.

I gotta agree that he needs to share the limelight on this, but it's Mannie Garcia who deserves some of the credit. NOT the AP.

i think his painting is his own work...no different than Andy Warhol...would Campbells soup cue him for copywrite infringement? AP should go back to being reporters

Give the man a break! Afterall his painting and Mannie's photography captured part of history.

Obama 2012!!!

Sorry for the artist. He's good. Maybe the democratic party can do something about it.

HA! HA! That too funny!!

Who would've want more four years with a President McCain. The taxcut President? Dont think so.

My kids used to draw on the sidewalk with colorful chalk. I wonder if I was putting their liberty at risk by allowing this.

This is all Bush's fault! Told you he wasn't qualified to be president!

Ok…. just thought I'd get the first left wing liberal nutjob comment out of the way

Fairey should be exempt from graffiti charges. His work is beautiful.

Aren't there any real criminals to arrest? Good God.

He has been arrested at least 14 times. He was not arrested for anything to do with his Obama poster. Personally, I don't really care.

Obama has a problem dealing with honest people.

For God's sake – fine him and let him go. You all have a man guilty of bilking billions from taxpayers living in his penthouse.

Why are you picking on anyone or anything Obama? It's a shame.

This is all Obama's fault! Told you he wasn't qualified to be president!

Ok.... just thought I'd get the first right wing conservative nutjob comment out of the way

ok seriously, how can one NOT make fun of this.

Jon Stewart, here's an easy one for you!

should have known better than to stay out of the spotlight...he should know the score with the cops and of course major media is going to get theirs. hope he painted a police building and an AP office.

I give up. Vote Faith this time around guys.

those obama handelers need to be more careful. letting obama praise a guy who was charged and/or arrested 14 times should not be glorified.

PS

before you rant back, have you ever tried to remove "graffitti art" from your wall?

C'mon AP! He makes a great stencil icon and doesn't get paid for it and you want compensation?

He get s money for his appearances and he has benefited from a greater profile, but the art was art, so let it be. Greedy greedy greedy

total baloney.... I thought we had ended the Nazi Police State when Bush got kicked out of Washington.....

Stupid comments by Obama haters in 3...2...1...

Arresting people for tagging is a not a great use of public resources imo.

We have wall street crawling with criminals and they are spending time arresting an Artist? What a waste of time and money.

Holy Batman... get him!! Public criminal number ? Geez, this sounds really pathetic to go after him now. The timing seems petty and like the police have an agenda that we have yet to figure out. Don't they have bigger fish to fry in Boston?!

Apparently rules don't apply with this guy.

CNN.... where do you guys come up with this stuff?????????????

Dude better "hope" he doesn't do too much time in stir or else he may "change" his way of getting it on.

Forgot to pay his taxes. Honest mistake.

And this has what to do with President Obama? Nothing more than to give the Obama haters ammunition to to make this a negative for President Obama. The fact that the only relationship this person has to Obama is that he painted a picture means nothing to Obama haters.

We have real crooks and murderers running the street and the city of Boston is waisting tax payers money chasing this man. Way to go BPD.

Not sure why this is in the political ticker but hey whatever right?

He's a liberal....what do you expect? They are disruptive, disrespect and dishonest....and they teach it to our children...it's like a disease......

Doesn't law enforcement in this country have anything better to do - like deal with illegality on Wall Street - than slam the creator of one of the only pure art forms left in society? Although the vandalism case could be argued, Fairey hasn't even collected royalties from his Obama design. So as far as the rest of descent, hard working Americans are concerned, the AP should go back to focusing on being the watch-dog of society, rather than trying to collect corporate profits from primitively accumulated intellectual property. This whole circumstance is absurd.

The guy has talent and is a rookie – he did not hide that he used AP's photo. AP is standing in the way of talent – if he had malicious intent – he should be prosecuted – or AP could simply just applaud the artist and help him achieve greatness – petty objections from AP.

leave artists alone!!!!! man, we are struggling enough as it is. Just cause the man gave Obama some fame...he didn't make any money of his art, he donated it.

Uncle Joe Stalin would love his work.

Why is this important? someone please tell me!

When you present yourself to the public, you had better be clean. I wouldn't be surprised if the AP didn't send their PI to check for dirt under his rug. I hope they don't get any of this money.

But he's a democrat and democrats should be able to break the law, just like they shouldn't have to work or put forth any effort. They need the big old government to baby sit them at all times.

I guess the Boston cops ran out of useful things to do.

Being arrested, fines, etc. are all just part of Mr. Fairey's cost of doing business. If nothing else, it just made him front page news.

He is a genial artist. He should be rewarded not arrested. Shame !

ya there are killers out there killing people this guys are after artists

This man is NOT a good role model. But he IS a good rock star.

Wow!! someone finally got arrested for "graffiti"- give me a break.