A photographer has sued Texas alleging a cowboy image on millions of vehicle inspection stickers is being used without his permission.
David K. Langford, of Comfort, said he owns the copyright to the photograph. The lawsuit asks a court to block the Department of Public Safety from further use or issuance of the stickers, plus award damages and legal fees.
The San Antonio Express-News reported Monday that the stickers were produced by state inmates under a Texas Department of Criminal Justice contract with DPS. Both agencies, named as defendants, declined comment.
Langford said he took the photo in 1984 and he believes an inmate scanned the image from a Texas Parks and Wildlife publication.
Langford attorney Jimmy Carter said as many as 5 million disputed stickers have been issued.
