Shepard Fairey Arrested, Files AP Countersuit

Artist Shepard Fairey has been busy over the last week. After being sued by the Associated Press for copyright infringement, opening his first solo art exhibit in Boston and being arrested on graffiti charges, the 38-year-old artist has now filed a countersuit against the AP.

Fairey was arrested on graffiti-related charges in Boston on Friday just hours before the opening of his exhibit at the city's Institute of Contemporary Art. Police said warrants for his arrest were issued on January 24th for posting five of his Obey images on property owned by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

"I'm making art that not everybody likes," Fairey told reporters today after pleading not guilty to the graffiti charges.

Also today, Fairey filed a countersuit against the Associated Press asking a judge to rule that his Obama Hope image did not infringe on any copyright by the AP.

Although the legality of Fairey's Obama work may still be in question, the image itself has become an icon with the Smithsonian announcing last month that the image would become part of the permanent collection at the museum's National Portrait Gallery.