Velvet Underground suit over Andy Warhol ‘Banana’ painting used for iPhone cases settled

Musician Lou Reed, one of the founding members of The Velvet Underground, says Andy Warhol would not have approved of using the 'Banana' painting that was given to the band by the famous artist for Apple device cases. — Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Musician Lou Reed, one of the founding members of The Velvet Underground, says Andy Warhol would not have approved of using the ‘Banana’ painting that was given to the band by the famous artist for Apple device cases.

PUBLISHED: May 29, 2013 at 11:35 p.m. | UPDATED: January 10, 2019 at 6:09 a.m.

The Velvet Underground’s 15 minutes of litigation with the Andy Warhol Foundation are up.

The pioneering band — responsible for classics like “Sweet Jane” and “I’m Waiting for the Man” — sued the foundation in Manhattan Federal Court last year, after discovering it had licensed its late namesake’s iconic “Banana” painting for iPad and iPhone cases.

The band, including founders Lou Reed and John Cale, said Warhol would not have approved.

The artist was an early supporter of the band and had given the group the painting to use for the cover of its first album, “The Velvet Underground and Nico,” in 1966.

Andy Warhol (center) gave the Velvet Underground the 'Banana' painting to use for the cover of the band's first album, 'The Velvet Underground and Nico,' in 1966. — Andy Warhol (center) gave the Velvet Underground the ‘Banana’ painting to use for the cover of the band’s first album, ‘The Velvet Underground and Nico,’ in 1966.

In the decades since, “the ‘Banana’ design became a symbol, truly an icon, of the Velvet Underground,” the suit said, and the foundation shouldn’t be licensing it anywhere else.

The case was set to go trial this summer, but Judge Alison Nathan issued an order Wednesday closing the case because it had been settled. Lawyers for both sides said the terms of the deal are confidential.