Artists sue for selling mural images

The UFW is concerned that its slogan "Si Se Puede" ("It can be done"), the union's trademark black eagle logo and images of Huerta are being misappropriated by Corbis, a company founded and owned by Microsoft's Bill Gates.

Huerta, 70, who is hospitalized with intestinal bleeding in Bakersfield, has worked for decades for farm workers' rights. A two-story likeness of her and fellow UFW founder Cesar Chavez tower above the schoolyard at Cesar Chavez Elementary School in the mural "El Lenguaje Mudo del Alma" ("The Silent Language of the Soul").

"She's the one that has been struggling for so many years and given her whole life to struggle for the rights of farm workers," said Eva Royale of the UFW. "To have someone else profit from that is an insult and a lie."

Corbis allows users to purchase, e-mail, print or license the digital images from its Web site. The Bellevue, Wash.-based company claims it is the leading provider of photography and fine art on the Internet with 65 million images, 2.1 million of which are available online.

The lawsuit claims trademark and copyright infringement for Corbis' sales and distribution of digital images of four Mission District murals: "Si Se Puede!" "El Lenguaje Mudo del Alma," The Five Sacred Colors of Corn" and "Maestrapeace."

"We are concerned that these images are going to show up in inappropriate places such as credit cards or utilized by individuals and organizations whose interests are contrary to the plaintiffs and the Latino community," said Robert Retana, an attorney representing Huerta and the UFW.

"We seek to enjoin them from further use of these images on their Web site," Retana said. The suit also seeks unspecified damages.

Corbis' content includes the renowned Bettemann Collection that chronicles history from cave paintings to modern-day photojournalism. A Corbis spokeswoman said the company had not seen a copy of the lawsuit and had no comment.

Standing in front of the Women's Building community center where "Maestrapeace" covers the outer walls of the four-story structure, two artists who designed and painted it spoke of the mural's significance.

"This mural is an homage to women and their place in history, in the present and in the future," said Juana Alicia, one of seven artists who painted "Maestrapeace."

"This is something that is a gift for the community. It's not for someone to come and take away and benefit financially from this."

"Maestrapeace" was completed in 1994 and took seven artists and 80 volunteers, all women, more than a year to complete. There are more than 200 murals in the Mission District and about 500 throughout the city.