No Fees to ‘Success Kid’ or Ex-Iowa Rep. Steve King in Meme Spat

Neither former US Rep. Steve King and his campaign nor plaintiffs who sued over use of their “Success Kid” meme owe the other party attorneys fees after a $750 infringement verdict, an Iowa federal court said.

Sam Griner—the sand-clenching baby in the 2007 meme—and his mother Laney Marie Griner—who took the photo—had objectively reasonable claims despite low damages and no personal liability for King, Judge C.J. Williams of the US District Court for the Northern District of Iowa found. King and his campaign’s defense were also reasonable given their defeat of a summary judgment bid, the court said.

The opinion ...