QUICK TAKES - Oct. 21, 2009

The Associated Press on Tuesday accused Shepard Fairey of lying again in their ongoing fair-use legal battle, saying that the artist’s allegations that he made a “mistake” about which photograph he used to create the Obama “HOPE” poster are not credible.

In an amendment to its countersuit filed in a New York court, the AP claimed that “it is simply not credible that Fairey somehow forgot in January 2009 which source image he used to create” the work in question. The AP added that it believes Fairey concocted his version of events to “spin” his subsequent coverup in the best light possible.

A spokesman for Fairey issued a statement in response, saying, “Shepard continues to stand by his statement from last Friday. He has apologized and taken responsibility for his actions.” The spokesman added that the AP is “diverting the debate from the central question,” which is whether Fairey transformed the original photographic image into a work of art.

-- David Ng