The Board of Trustees
The University of Alabama System
Dear Board Member:
My name is Daniel A. Moore. You may be familiar with my artwork. For over twenty-five years, I have created paintings depicting University of Alabama Football. Up until 2002, the relationship between the University and myself had been mutually beneficial. Through licensed projects and joint ventures, I have generated hundreds-of-thousands of dollars for the University. Perhaps more importantly, these paintings have projected goodwill and a positive image for the University—and on such, a monetary value could not be placed.
I received a BFA degree in art from the University of Alabama in 1976. My wife graduated from the University in 1978. I have three children. My oldest daughter graduated from the University last May. My middle daughter is currently a sophomore at the University. My youngest daughter is a high-school junior and has her heart set on attending the University. We are a true "Alabama" family and love the University of Alabama.
However, as you will be able to discern from the attached correspondences, my relationship with the University is quickly deteriorating. The bottom-line reason? The University has a policy and/or mindset concerning the licensing of my artwork that is unconstitutional. Artwork has been determined by the Federal Courts as constitutionally protected "free speech." Why my University will not acknowledge this is way beyond me. I, for one, do not want to see "UA AGAINST FREE SPEECH" in the newspaper headlines. You can (and should) prevent that from happening.
I believe that the University has allowed this issue to fester and escalate to a point that it is hostile towards my right of free speech. It has also taken measures against me and my company that are legally actionable by me, as I point out in the attached letter to Mr. Sandy Gordon. Since I have not heard back from Mr. Gordon in the time I allotted him for a response, I am appealing for prompt resolution by the Board of Trustees, as indicated in my letter to him. Just so you are clear as to my intentions—I will be appointing legal counsel on October 1, 2004 if I do not have satisfactory closure to the issue at hand by that date.
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Moore, President
New Life Art, Inc.
