Skip to content
Zazzle accused of using Filipino artist’s painting without permission

News -

Zazzle accused of using Filipino artist’s painting without permission

New York-based Filipino painter Bienvenido Bones Banez, Jr., has filed a lawsuit against global online marketing company Zazzle for copyright infringement.

Zazzle is accused of using a photo of Banez's large canvas in its marketing materials from 2017 to 2022 for a variety of products without permission.

The painting in question is titled “Satan Inspiring the World,” a hermeneutic visual reaction to the Book of Genesis.

“While he has shared this work, it was never a work for hire. He has always shared it as his work product, with his name on it. He has never relinquished his ownership, in this his own creation,” his lawyer said.

In response, Zazzle said that it enters into an agreement with “Creators,” which also includes an undertaking from the creator that images he uploads for merchandising through the Zazzle website are his own.

The company disclosed the name of France-based creator Malleret Romuald to the lawyer who submitted Banez’s piece of art.

At the same time, it informed the creator about the copyright infringement claim and that the disputed product line has been removed from Zazzle’s website.

Banez said he attempted to get in touch with the creator, but had received no response.

Banez, in the meantime, has asked Zazzle for sales data for the contested product over the previous five years.

PitchMark previously covered a story about American artist Maggie Stephenson suing Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein for more than US$100 million in copyright infringement as it used her bestselling artwork without permission.

PitchMark helps innovators deter idea theft, so that third parties that they share their idea with get the idea but don’t take it. Visit PitchMark.net and register for free as a PitchMark member today.

Topics

Categories

Contacts

Mark Laudi

Mark Laudi

Press contact Managing Partner (+65) 6223 2249

Related content

Image source: zhangjingna.com & todayonline.com

Singaporean photographer Jingna Zhang accuses Luxembourg student artist of plagiarizing her work for award-winning painting

Singaporean photographer Jingna Zhang, who is currently based in the United States, has filed a lawsuit against Luxembourg-based art student Jeff Dieschburg accusing him of painting a picture that is almost identical to a photo she shot in the past.
The artist has denied the plagiarism allegation, but he doesn’t deny taking inspiration from the photo. Zhang, on the other hand, believes a “perso

GUESS called out by graffiti artist Banksy for using his designs without permission

GUESS called out by graffiti artist Banksy for using his designs without permission

Renowned graffiti artist Banksy has accused fashion retailer GUESS of allegedly stealing his artwork and exploiting it for promotional purposes without giving proper credit or taking permission. GUESS has since clarified its position.
A GUESS store window on Regent Street displayed Banksy's most famous artwork, The Flower Thrower, Flower Bomber, Rage, or Love is in the Air.
It showed an imag

Canada to amend copyright laws to include resale royalty for visual artists

Canada to amend copyright laws to include resale royalty for visual artists

The Canadian government is working towards amending its copyright laws to introduce a provision for the Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) that will allow the original artist to earn a royalty when the work is resold during the copyright period.
The move is aimed at protecting and improving economic conditions for Canadian visual artists, especially indigenous and senior artists. The estimated median

Image comparing two pieces side-by side. Pulled from Case 2:22-cv-04128-PA-GJS

Chinese fast fashion giant Shein sued by artist Magdalena Stephenson for copying her artwork

US-based artist Magdalena Mollman, professionally known as Maggie Stephenson, has accused Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein of using her artwork without permission.

She has sued Shein and its distribution company for more than US$100 million in damages on account of four claims: copyright infringement, vicarious and/or contributory copyright infringement, removal of copyright management i

The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have allegedly plagiarized their song "Living in a Ghost Town”

The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have allegedly plagiarized their song "Living in a Ghost Town”

Rock band The Rolling Stones’ members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have been hit with a copyright lawsuit by little-known songwriter Sergio Garcia Fernandez who is alleging that they stole content from his track.
In the lawsuit, Fernandez claims that Jagger and Richards “misappropriated many of the recognizable and key protected elements” from his 2006 song “So Sorry” as well as his 2007 tune

Artist Julian Charrière claims fashion brand Zadig and Voltaire plagiarized his work for their latest campaign

Artist Julian Charrière claims fashion brand Zadig and Voltaire plagiarized his work for their latest campaign

French-Swiss artist Julian Charrière has accused fashion brand Zadig and Voltaire of using his work for a new campaign without permission.
To promote its recent Women's Fall-Winter '23 show during Paris Fashion Week, the company posted a nighttime video of a fountain on fire.
The video is eerily similar to Charrière's 2019 film And Beneath It All Flows Liquid Fire, which was filmed at t

Let your clients get the idea, without taking it.

PitchMark deters idea theft and provides you with options if it happens.

PitchMark protects the expression of your original concepts, designs, proposals, business plans, creative pitches, music - in short, any idea that you conceived and published, and claim as your own. It gives you peace-of-mind by signalling to whoever you share it with that you are its creator, and that you wish to be respected as such.

If you receive or evaluate ideas or pitches, join PitchMark as a sign of your commitment to respect the Intellectual Property rights of their creators. Attract more in-depth pitches from a wider range of sources. Highlight your PitchMark membership in your Sustainability or CSR Report.

PitchMark