The Trump campaign may have violated United State copyright law by selling merchandise featuring the former president’s mugshot, legal experts have warned.
The Trump campaign may have violated United State copyright law by selling merchandise featuring the former president’s mugshot, legal experts have warned.
‘Fair use’ is a thing. It varies by country, and I’m not certain on where the US falls.
Selling copies on merchandise would definitely not be fair use.
Using it in news articles may be fair use under some circumstances, but probably only if you were commenting specifically on the mugshot.
As far as I see, the mugshot is being used all over the place, not just for illustration as you describe. It’s become too iconic/memetic…