this photo Was Taken by Walt Smith. a notable photographer for NFL and Cowboys.

the pic and design is in great shape. the back matte is a little worn. see pictures.

signature is authentic for one major reason. you couldn’t buy this picture anywhere but the Cowboys pro shop.

a fun fact about Walt Smith and the Cowboys listed below:

The Dallas Cowboys were involved in a notable copyright infringement lawsuit in the mid-2000s related to the unauthorized use of a photograph, which could align with queries about "stolen art" or design theft in a legal context. Here's a summary of the key historical details based on available records:

### Background on the Incident

- **The Photographer and Image**: Walter Smith, a professional photographer associated with Impact Images (a Dallas-based photography company), captured an iconic photo in 2000 of Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith kneeling on the team's star logo at the center of Texas Stadium. This image became symbolic for the franchise and was widely recognized among fans.

- **Alleged Infringement**: The Cowboys reportedly used the copyrighted photo without permission in various promotional materials, merchandise, and displays. This included reproducing it on items like posters, calendars, and possibly stadium graphics, which Smith claimed violated his exclusive rights under U.S. copyright law.

### The Lawsuit

- **Filing**: In 2004, Walter Smith filed a federal lawsuit against the Dallas Cowboys organization, accusing them of copyright infringement for exploiting his work commercially without licensing or compensation.

- **Key Arguments**: Smith argued that the team profited from his creative work, which he had registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. The Cowboys' defense isn't detailed in public records, but such cases often involve claims of fair use or disputes over permission. The suit highlighted broader issues in sports photography, where teams sometimes use images without proper attribution or payment.

### Settlement and Outcome

- **Resolution**: On June 6, 2005, the parties reached an out-of-court settlement. The Cowboys agreed to pay Smith $275,000 to resolve the dispute. No admission of wrongdoing was made by the team, which is common in such settlements.

- **Impact**: The case drew attention in photography and legal circles as an example of intellectual property protection in sports media. It underscored the value of photographers' rights and may have influenced how NFL teams handle image licensing. Impact Images continued operations, but no further public disputes with the Cowboys are documented.