French "Spiderman" defends NY skyscraper climb (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The man known as the French "Spiderman" bristled at accusations his feat of scaling a New York skyscraper encouraged novice copycats and said the act of "free speech" was a tribute to the city.

"This was not about, 'Alain Robert is climbing the building.' This is a fight against global warming," the climber, Alain Robert, 45, told reporters on Wednesday outside New York State Criminal Court, after appearing briefly before a judge.

Robert scaled the 52-story, 1,142-foot (348-metre) skyscraper last Thursday, and six hours later another climber, Renaldo Clarke, made an apparent copycat ascent to raise awareness of malaria that was broadcast live on television.

Both men appeared before separate judges on Wednesday on misdemeanour charges of criminal trespass and reckless endangerment as well as disorderly conduct, a violation. The charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail.

Both men have said they will fight the charges.

Robert said he chose the ladder-like New York Times skyscraper because he believed making such an easy climb would encourage people to listen to his message, rather than focus on the climb itself.

"Anybody can climb this building unless you are afraid of heights," he said. "Unfortunately or fortunately, this building is easy."

Robert has climbed more than 80 skyscrapers and landmarks including Chicago's Sears Tower and Taipei 101 in Taiwan, the world's tallest building.

(Reporting by Edith Honan; Editing by Daniel Trotta and Sandra Maler)

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