March 14, 2018 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Nike OK’d to Continue Using “Jumpman” Logo

On February 27, 2018 the Ninth Circuit ruled that Nike’s use of its iconic “Jumpman” logo did not infringe on copyrights to a 1984 image of Michael Jordan, as captured by photographer Jacobus Rentmeester. Following more than three years of litigation — and though the decision was split — Nike may continue to use the image without legal repercussions.

Rentmeester originally shot and used the image of Jordan in a mid-air, “grand jeté-inspired pose,” which was featured in a 1984 issue of Life…

January 26, 2015 Copyright / Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Photographer Claims Infringement by Nike on ‘Jumpman’ Logo

On Thursday, January 22, a professional photographer filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Nike Inc. for their alleged excessive use of his iconic photograph of a mid-air Michael Jordan, which ultimately became the “Jumpman” logo.

In 1984, professional photographer, Jacobus Rentmeester, held a photo-shoot of Michael Jordan on the University of North Carolina campus for an up-coming LIFE magazine issue. At that photo-shoot, he captured one of the most well-known images in both sports and fashion. Rentmeester’s lawsuit claims Nike paid $150 for …