Nike has emerged victorious in a lawsuit brought on by Jacobus Rentmeester in which he alleged a photograph he took inspired Michael Jordan's Jumpman logo.
The ninth circuit appeals court in Oregon issued an opinion on Tuesday that concluded that the logo "was not substantially similar to Rentmeester’s photo."
In 1984, Nike paid Rentmeester $150 for temporary rights to use photos of Michael Jordan that he shot for Life magazine. He claimed that it was the basis for the photo shot by Nike a year later which eventually led to the now-ubiquitous Jumpman logo which debuted on the Air Jordan 3.
Law360's Bill Donahue provided the crucial statement in the ninth circuit appeals court's opinion:
Here's the key quote: pic.twitter.com/tachU1SBhN
The full ruling can be read here.
UPDATE (03/25):ESPN has reported that the Supreme Court has passed on a copyright dispute between photographer Jacobus Rentmeester and Nike regarding the iconic Jordan Jumpman logo. Rentmeester alleged that a photo he took of Michael Jordan in 1984 inspired the logo and he was seeking a portion of Jordan Brand sales. The Supreme Court's decision to pass on the case means that the previous ruling in lower court, which favored Nike, will stand.
