Street artist sues American Eagle Outfitters for using work in ad campaign without permission
Miami based street artist David Anasagasti is suing American Eagle Outfitters for using two of his copyrighted images without consent.
The artist, also known as Ahol Sniffs Glue, filed the lawsuit in New York, stating that the images - of rows of eyes half asleep - are being used in its stores, on the internet and on billboards without permission.
His agent, Gregg Shienbaum, said: "They represent the working class, who struggle and are good people. They may look a little droopy, a little sad, but it's his way of saying, 'You may be down today, but you've got to keep going.'"
Despite having only applied for and received the copyright for the images after the advertising campaign started, the artist is suing for unspecified damages and the profits from the infringement.
According to the suit: “Anasagasti's reputation as an artist has been founded, in part, on a public perception that (he) doesn't 'sell out' to large corporate interests."