Ryan Sheckler reportedly posted a photo of himself on Twitter showing a new Red Bull hat. Then, someone who follows Sheckler’s tweets much more closely than we do noticed what looks like a Storz & Bickel Volcano in the background. Ryan pulled the image down from his Twitter feed but not before someone posted the photo on a site called The Dirty with the headline Lay Off The Ganja Sheckler.
Now, according to TMZ, Sheckler’s lawyers want the photo removed from the site saying:
Your unauthorized use of the RS rights and promotions of your website, products and items involving RS’s name likeness, copyrights and related trademarks and may violate RS’s right of publicity, constitute trademark infringement, copyright infringement, dilution and unfair competition among other rights. . . Additionally, your actions may have placed RS in breach of current agreements has has in place, and may expose RS to liability and/or damages.
The issue does bring up one good question (not that Sheckler’s lawyers mentioned it). Does posting a photo on Twitter give anyone free license to use that image on the web or in print any way they see fit? Not necessarily, according to a recent federal court decision reported in PDNonline.com. Photographer Daniel Morel is suing several news organizations (AFP, Getty Images, CBS, Turner Broadcasting) after they lifted one of his Haiti earthquake photos from his Twitter feed and ran with it. A judge agreed with Morel saying his lawsuit could continue because the “defendants failed to prove they had a license to use Morel’s images.”
Sheckler’s celebrity status coupled with the fact that the photo he posted of himself sitting directly in front of a “plant ingredient inhaling device” is in some twisted way “news” likely means there’s not much his lawyers can do about it. Not only has The Dirty left the photo up, they added this comment: “The kid is claiming war against me when he is the idiot who posted the picture. How much weed did you smoke dude?”
Seems the smoothest route through all of this would have been for Sheckler to ignore the post entirely. But then the lawyers wouldn’t have written that letter. And lawyers love writing letters.
Steve Berra cruises around LA in a new hybrid Lexus CT 200 and discusses his history and the founding of The Berrics. It’s an advertorial for Lexus, but it works really well. Check it.
On Monday, January 17, 2011 a group gallery collection of photos shot on cellphones and titled phonography opens at The Blind Lady Ale House in San Diego, California. The show features the photography of legendary skateboard photographers, skaters, musician, and artists including Grant Brittain, Miki Vuckovich, Dave Swift, Lance Mountain, Otis B., Mark Hoppus and Ed Templeton just to name a few.
“Phonography” looks at this phenomenon in a new way – with a fascinating exhibit of photos shot on nothing but phone cameras. In a greater sense, it’s an expression of modern aesthetics, and a journey through the highly personal interests of designers, photographers, musicians, skaters and creative people alike.
Chad Muska opened his “private studio in New York” on January 8, 2011 and gave the world a peek at what he’s been working on lately in a show titled One Year In NYC, according to a post on the Kr3w.com site. While his influences could be up for discussion, the show seriously looks good.
The exhibit featured mixed media pieces ranging from prints, paintings, spray art, epoxy, ink on paper, photographs, video and jewelry all created in New York City over the past year, including a piece dedicated to professional skateboarder and long time friend Harold Hunter.
It also appears that Mr. Muska will be bringing the show to LA soon. Click the link for more photos.
Birdhouse Skateboards wanted us to know they have a new website and logo coming really soon. In the meantime, they’d like us all to view this European Tour footage.
DC Debuting Cole. Get it? In all its four-page glory. We just can’t wait till we hear that mysterious DC Shoes announcement on Friday. We’ve got goosebumps. Wonder who it’s going to be?
[Editors’ Note January 14, 2011: Follow the jump for the just released press release] [click to continue…]
All the neon, glamour, and Floridaness of Quiksilver’s All 80’s All Day fromSurf Exporight here (just in case you haven’t already stumbled across it already). And you remember the 80s this should be some inspiration.
This week the quaint ski village of Keystone Resort, Colorado is going to be over run by Zumiez sales zombies as the action mall retailer hosts it’s annual $100K party to reward all their store employees who have moved more than $100,000 in product in this economy. Awards are given to the top sales people and the awards are presented by the biggest names in action sports. Seriously, there is no larger gathering of heavyweights assembled for anything.
Okay, so we all know this. But we did see something interesting on the presenters list:
See that last name? Yeah. It’s Chris Cole presenting for DC Shoes (not Fallen). Kind of old news for the insiders, but still good to see it in print. Welcome to Quiksilver, Mr. Cole. Guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of him at The Berrics this year.
Sole Technology sti Laboratory Manager Jeremy Determan explains the all-new Fusion technology at the Agenda Show in Anaheim on Thursday, January 6, 2011. Fusion allows Sole Tech to create a vulcanized style shoe that is lighter, more flexible, more durable, and much easier on the environment. Nothing wrong with that. . .
Those who thought the death of the ASR Show signaled the death of action sports trade shows in general were proven grossly wrong during day one of the Agenda Show in Anaheim, California January 6, 2011. All three halls were packed to the point of making it difficult to cruise the aisles. And it wasn’t people just hanging out. Lines were being shown and in many cases orders were being written.
While some brands we spoke to seemed relieved that they didn’t have to be at ASR this year, others mentioned missing the old days when Agenda was just a small show for the cool kids. Agenda has definitely kicked it up a level this year and nearly everyone seems happy about it. Even those who seem nostalgic for the past.
Ryan Sheckler reportedly posted a photo of himself on Twitter showing a new Red Bull hat. Then, someone who follows Sheckler’s tweets much more closely than we do noticed what looks like a Storz & Bickel Volcano in the background. Ryan pulled the image down from his Twitter feed but not before someone posted the photo on a site called The Dirty with the headline Lay Off The Ganja Sheckler.
