(Sunday, October 21, 2012 – Milwaukee, WI) Just six months after free-lance artist Wayne Peterson filed a copyright infringement suit against motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson, a resolution has been reached to Peterson’s satisfaction.
In Peterson’s lawsuit he contended that in 1985, Harley commissioned him to create a graphic work—the famous “Live To Ride” logo—for a one-time one-run basis on carburetor covers. In 1991, Harley commissioned another work from Peterson for its University, or “school” for dealers and technicians.
Both graphics were commissioned for one-time runs only, according to Peterson’s lawsuit. It contends that Harley continued to brand its products with the two graphics and refused to pay Peterson any royalties. Eventually, after failing to make any headway with Harley, Peterson filed suit.
On July 31, 2012, Garteiser Honea, a San Francisco Bay Area Intellectual Property firm, successfully defeated a motion in federal court to dismiss Peterson’s suit. And now, less than three months later, Garteiser Honea resolved Peterson’s suit with Harley-Davidson, who was represented by Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP and Bryan Cave LLP.
