Awful Truth Band Sued For "Kill a Cop For God" Album Cover

by Jon Azpiri | February 18, 2009 at 05:53 pm

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Arizona-based Awful Truth Band is being sued by a local newspaper for copyright infringement. The Arizona Daily Star claims that the band used a photo of a slain police officer's photo on the cover of its album "Kill a Cop For God."

The album features a photo of deceased Tuscon police officer Erik Hite lying on the ground after he was shot. Hite later died as a result of the shooting. According to the Daily Star, the photo was taken by staff photographer James S. Wood and the band did not ask for permission to use the copyrighted image.

Awful Truth Band lead singer David Stine seemed unaware of any copyright violation.

Awful Truth lead singer David Stine, 30, said Tuesday that he had not seen the complaint, but he didn't think there was anything wrong with using the photo to promote the band's album. "They used it in the newspaper," Stine said. "I figured once you see something in the newspaper . . . I didn't think they were trying to keep it for themselves."