AP Sends Legal Warning To Seller Of Trump Watches

Wired reports:

The defiant fist-raised photo from his post-assassination-attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania—according to the Trump Watches marketing materials – will be etched on the back of Fight watch. According to the Associated Press, TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC advertised a product it can’t deliver, as that image is owned by the 178-year-old news agency. This week, the AP told WIRED it is pursuing a cease and desist against the LLC, which is registered in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Evan Vucci, the AP’s Pulitzer Prize–winning chief photographer, took that photograph, and while he told WIRED he does not own the rights to that image, the AP confirmed earlier this month in an email to WIRED that it is filing the written notice. “AP is proud of Evan Vucci’s photo and recognizes its impact,” wrote AP spokesperson Nicole Meir. “We reserve our rights to this powerful image, as we do with all AP journalism, and continue to license it for editorial use only.”

Read the full article. The watches, which are supposedly “Swiss-made” are likely made in China, experts say. They also say that the watches are worth a fraction of their advertised prices. Hit the link for much more.

NEW, for @WIRED: Recently unveiled Trump Watches feature Trump’s fist-raised post-assassination photo. Turns out, the company—a shadowy LLC from Wyoming—doesn’t have the rights to that photo. The AP does, & it plans to file a cease and desist. https://t.co/GzBCzTzegb

— Matt Giles (@HudsonGiles) October 18, 2024