FX’s ‘Archer’ Being Sued for Art Theft

The agents of FX’s Archer are used to dealing with theft, as they are often tasked with returning or obtaining valuable items or information as part of an assigned mission. Looks like the past has finally caught up with the current CIA/ex-ISIS members, as they are now being sued over stolen artwork.

Kind of.

You see, it’s actually the show that’s getting sued, and the artwork wasn’t physically stolen, but instead had its copyright infringed upon, according to the artist, Michel Leah Keck.

Three of her original abstract works were used in the show to decorate the walls of Malory’s office, without receiving the appropriate permissions. The suit also alleges that FX/Archer was aware of the copyright laws involved and this was not an instance of pure ignorance.

“FX Networks and Fox Home Entertainment operate sophisticated media production and distribution businesses with trained staff and an excellent working knowledge of copyright law principles and rights-clearance practices,” the plaintiff’s team stated. “Inexplicably, defendants used the works as part of Archer without even seeking the necessary permission to do so,”

If found guilty, FX could be fined up to $150,000 per infringement, which goes to show: art isn’t about expression or exposure, but how much money you can make.

[via Courthouse News Service]