WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Recording Artist/Actress Jennifer Lopez attends the Fiat Presents Jennifer Lopez's Official American Music Awards After Party at Greystone Manor Supperclub on November 20, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Getty Images for Fiat) (2011 Getty Images)
The graffiti artists who claim their work appeared in Jennifer Lopez's Fiat commercial have backed off their threat to sue.
TATS Cru said they were enraged when they saw their "I Love the Bronx" mural in Lopez's car commercial, but their attorney said they won't pursue legal action.
"At this point we are in active discussions,” said Stacey Richman. “I think the companies are trying to act in a most responsible manner.”
Richman added that she thinks Fiat and Chrysler, the companies that sponsor the commercial, are “professional companies and it was probably an error.”
A Fiat spokeswoman said the company just learned about the copyright issue.
“It is the Company’s standard protocol to require that its ad agencies conduct the necessary due diligence to ensure that all trademarks and copyrights are respected in the course of producing our advertisements,” said Dianna Gutierrez in a statement. “We are conducting a review of the circumstances surrounding this issue and are working to address the artists’ concerns.”
The artwork, located on 1156 E. 165th St. in the Bronx, caused a firestorm when the artists claimed the carmaker used it without their permission. In the commercial the diva is seen driving and passing a colorful mural that says “I Love the Bronx.”
“It wasn’t right,” Wilfredo Feliciano, one of the members of TATS Cru, told FOX News Latino. “That’s the only thing I can say at this point.”
TATS Cru, Inc, a group of multiple muralists who began their business 24 years ago, is known for redefining graffiti art. They have had their work exhibited at festivals like the Smithsonian Institute’s Folk life festival.
The crew has even taught at M.I.T. and Hunter College, among other higher learning institutions.
The graffiti in question was on the property of "Post Plastics Products" on Whitlock Ave.
“It was a project in combination with the Bronx Borough President's office to beautify the area and show pride in the Bronx… in our community,” Richman said.
The graffiti episode comes after the commercial came under a different type of scrutiny following a Smoking Gun report that Lopez didn't even shoot it in the Bronx. The “On the Floor” star reportedly used a body double and did a voiceover in Los Angeles.
Still, Richman doesn't blame "Jenny from the Block," and believes she had “nothing to do with the creation of the commercial.”
“I think as part of the commercial she is part of the brand and part of the talent,” she said.
Feliciano agreed, but said Lopez has to be responsible for whatever she's associated with.
“I definitely don’t think it was her fault,” Feliciano said. “But, at some point, if you are repping the place you have to be accountable for what your people are doing.”
You can reach Alexandra Gratereaux at: Alexandra.Gratereaux@foxnewslatino.comor via Twitter: @GalexLatino
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