By: Joe Strupp Former Des Moines Register cartoonist Brian Duffy, fired from the paper three months ago, is fighting his former employer for the rights to his old drawings, according to local TV news station KCCI-TV.
The Des Moines television station reports on its Web site Monday that Duffy left behind some 25 years worth of drawings when he was pushed out, adding that he found out this week he might not get them back.
"They have the originals all sitting in my old office back at the Des Moines Register," Duffy told the station.
"The editor felt that I wasn't important enough, or my work wasn't important enough to keep me at the newspaper, yet she wants to keep my legacy alive by donating all of my work to the University of Iowa," Duffy said of Register Editor Carolyn Washburn.
Duffy told the television station he was always under the impression that his sketches were a joint copyright, similar to his book.
"Copyright Brian Duffy and the Des Moines Register, not just the Des Moines Register," said Duffy. "I have no problem donating a large body of work to the University of Iowa. In fact, I'd love to do that."
Washburn issued a statement to the television station: "It's not about withholding things from Brian. The Des Moines Register paid him for his very excellent work, but we hold the copyright for the work our staff produces. We're trying to do the right thing and make sure these unique pieces of work are protected for Iowans and available to the public."
Duffy has hired a lawyer and plans to pursue all legal avenues.
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