Yesterday's hullabaloo over Shock magazine's debut issue coverphoto – you know, with the Hachette Filipacchi title allegedly stealing an Iraqi war pic from photographer Michael Yon – is being met with the requisite denials and explanations, courtesy Shock's PR team at Peppercom.

Shock didn't unlawfully acquire that photo, at least not personally. You see, they purchased the rights from a "reputable photo agency" — and if anyone is to blame, it's them!

Shock magazine obtained the publication rights to the photograph from a reputable photo agency. The photographer, Michael Yon, is now challenging that photo agency, suggesting that they were not authorized to license the photograph. We are looking into the matter; SHOCK stands behind its actions which were conducted responsibly and in good faith.

AdAge dug a little deeper and fingers Polaris as the photo agency behind this copyright scrum. So far, nobody's talking, which means the finger pointing will continue until photo owner Yon beckons his attorneys.

Earlier: Shock's Schlocky Debut