Supreme Court Denies Steve King's Appeal in 'Success Kid' Meme Case

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear former Iowa congressman Steve King's appeal regarding a copyright dispute over the 'Success Kid' meme, which he used in his 2020 reelection campaign. A lower court had upheld a jury's verdict requiring King's campaign to pay $750 to Laney Griner, the copyright holder and mother of the boy featured in the meme. King's defense, which argued he had an implied license to use the image, was dismissed as unconvincing by the courts. Griner, who has licensed the meme for commercial use, initially declined a $15,000 settlement offer from King. The case underscores the complexities of digital image rights in political contexts and the challenges of meme usage in campaigns. King's loss in the primary election has been attributed, in part, to controversies surrounding his past remarks.