Antidote NZ

Tricky one ... the quote: always be yourself unless you can be batman, then be batman. dates back to 2009 and was not invented by NagaoNagao has put this quote into a picture that includes a stylized Batman cowl - Batmans cowl is already subject to copyright (including derivatives).A quick internet search comes up with hundreds if not thousands of pictures of this quote. Most of which are accompanied by some version of Batmans cowl, often stylised. So the quote isnt hers, Batmans cowl (or any derivative thereof) isnt hers and shes not the first to put the quote and the cowl together on the same sheet. So Id suggest that if challenged her copyright wouldnt hold up, indeed it seems likely shes illegally using DCs IP.If anything Adairs should be contacting DC (which they may have already done) to get the licensing rights to sell these images.

Unfortunately there is nothing original about this artwork and the artist may find she is in breach of copyright herself. I also find it hard to believe that it took such a long time to complete. The concept of Batman was designed by DC and the quote has been around for ages, so what exactly took so long?

So does DC get to then sue them both for use of batman? I highly doubt Nagao can claim that - images like that, with that exact quote, have been around for a long time.

Rule number 1: Never say you cant afford a lawyer.

An aussie company stealing a NZers work, no surprises there

Batman is a D.C. comic book character. She didnt create Batman nor does she own the rights to it.The quote with Batmans head above it is all over pinterest and etsy. Its not an an original idea. Yes she has added some lines to make a body and made the mask more childlike but its just some changes to an already invented character and popular quote.This idea is mass produced and there is no way she could not have seen it. They have done nothing more then what she has done, it is simular but not the same. Its someone elses art and idea but just tweaked. If you are doing art with well known character not of your own creation you got to realise you cannot stop others from using similar concepts.

Umm... upset that they copied her copy of Batman?

Oh please I bought a print VERY similar to that about 6 years ago..... you cant copy something then cry foul when someone else does the same. She did not design that phrase with a picture of Batman.

A Kiwi stealing an original DC artwork and quote which is older than the artist you mean?

The lawyers name is Earl Gray? Yes! I am a big fan of its signature pungent punch.

And a copied quote, which she also copied... sorry but what has she actually done here thats original???

Ive just quickly browsed the web and it turns out this quote can be found on tweets and posters dating back to pre-2009... so nearly 10 years ago. I ask again Maiko, how do you consider this to be in any way YOUR original work. The character (and probably quote) is older than you!

Nagaos work was derivative to start with.

Wouldnt the copyright be owned by whom ever owns Batman Copyright and both Adairs and Maiko are ripping them off.

Isnt Batman copyrighted ? Yes and fan art is an infringement so perhaps would have been better to not say anything specially if you cant afford a lawyer.

The quote itself isnt original, and nor is the general theme (batmans head above the quote): There are many prints for sale online.However, they clearly chose the most similar font to the original, but Im not sure if Nagao can claim copy right on that particular font style, especially considering they changed it slightly anyways..It certainly looks like they copied the original, but the original wasnt particularly unique to begin with and they have made enough changes that I bet it will be hard to defend.Her only option now is to use social media to get justice, and maybe get in the news about it.

Exactly ! There are literally thousands of shirts, cups, posters with variations on the same design and tag line. She says 2014 / 4 years ago she did her design and I can see stores selling versions of this in early 2013 in a quick google search which is probably why she isnt contesting it.

Adairs Hi Twistedrazorsl, We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your feedback regarding the launch of our new official Batman Collection. We would like to mention that Adairs has used the official Batman artwork for this collection, which was provided by Warner Bros. Thanks, Adairs Also Etsy.com has a bunch of very similar artworks and wording too. Methinks this artist needs to do more research,

While you grown ups talk, us kids will get the crayons out and draw. Maybe pictures of batman. We may even throw an overused meme in it. My, how original and clever we are.

Thats what I was thinking. Unless she had permission to use the Batman idea then she doesnt really have a leg to stand on, surely. Its a rough collage of other peoples ideas at best. Come up with your own character and quotes, rather than copy others work and moan when someone copies âyour (copied) ideasâ