Daniel Moore

We, the undersigned, have learned of the legal action taken by the University of Alabama against the artist Daniel Moore and New Life Art relating to licensing issues and wish to protest this move in the strongest terms possible. It is unfathomable that the University cannot see that Mr. Moore is an institution who captures our finest moments on canvas and certainly adds tremendously to our proud legacy.

It is our opinion that the University has erred greatly in the court of public opinion. The University fails to recognize and appreciate the role Mr. Moore has played in creating and enhancing classic Bama legends, and his role in tying the University fan base closer together by bringing treasured memories of beloved former players and coaches into our living rooms for all to enjoy. The University should feel honored to have Mr. Moore promote our history and tradition and should recognize that the positive publicity generated by Mr. Moores works far outweigh any monetary judgment that might be won in a court of law. Furthermore, the University should recognize that the monetary value this suit would generate could never overcome the negative impressions generated by this action. No spin the University could put on this deed would justify the bad publicity this act will generate.

There are undoubtedly thousands of images, likenesses, and interpretations of the University taken by countless photographers, drawn, sketched, or painted by artists and distributed throughout the world. It would be unreasonable to believe that merely because these artistic works contain likenesses of sports teams of the University that they are subject to licensing from the University. A work of art that portrays a historic sporting event, used solely to communicate and celebrate the values and importance our University and its fans attach to any such event, brings innumerable intangible benefits to the University. It is the failure of our University to understand this which is the heart of our argument.

We contend the University has suffered enough embarrassment in the past decade and has only recently started to recover its reputation in the court of public opinion. It is time to put a stop to this lawsuit before further dishonor accrues to the reputation of our fine University.

The administrators of the University are its caretakers and serve at the pleasure of those who support and fund the University. As such, we would question their worthiness should they not exhaust all available means to reach an amiable settlement with Mr. Moore. To that end, we respectfully request that the University of Alabama immediately withdraw their lawsuit against Daniel Moore and New Life Art.