(CN) - A Fresno man who claims to have found the "lost negatives" of late photographer Ansel Adams will not have his day in court, as a federal judge vacated a hearing scheduled for today (Friday).
The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust sued Rick Norsigian in August for allegedly violating the Ansel Adams trademark by selling prints of the 65 negatives on his website. Norsigian says he found the glass negatives at a garage sale in 2000.
The trust argued that the negatives were taken by another photographer named Earl Brooks, and his niece has corroborated that claim.
In September, Norsigian moved to dismiss or transfer the case. The trust's attorneys have since filed an objection to the motion, along with dozens of pages of exhibits they claim can prove Norsigian's trademark violation.
At the hearing, the trust had planned to call a handwriting expert, a San Francisco art gallery owner, and Adams' former assistant and biographer to testify against Norsigian.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White seems to have already decided the case, writing in a one-page order that Norsigian's motion "is appropriate for decision without oral argument." He did not indicate when a formal ruling will be issued.
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Additional Reads
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'Lost Negatives' Owner Sues Attorney for Fraud September 18, 2014 -
Ansel Adams Discovery Claims Run Out of Fuel January 28, 2013
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'Lost Negatives' Counterclaim Dismissed April 29, 2011
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