Green Day’s Use of Image in Backdrop To Live Concerts Protected as Fair Use

The use of a copyrighted illustration as part of a back drop by rock band Green Day was fair use and thus did not infringe the copyright interest of the street artist who created it, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Aug. 7 (Seltzer v. Green Day, Inc., 9th Cir., 11-56573, 8/7/13).

Affirming summary judgment of noninfringement, the court, however, reversed an award of attorneys’ fees.

Wall Art Poster Included in Backdrop Video.

Green Day is a musical group that has been issuing sound recordings since 1987. The band comprises Billie Joe Armstrong, Frank ...