Fast fashion retailer NET today said it has removed controversial items from its shelves, after a content creator accused the company of infringing copyright by using their design of a cartoon Taiwanese leopard cat without permission.
NET has since apologized and said it has removed all clothing featuring the disputed image from its stores.
Creator Hug Taiwan Leo (石虎抱抱) on Sunday said on Facebook that fans had contacted them to congratulate them on what they believed was a collaboration with NET.
Photos courtesy of Hug Taiwan Leo
However, the content creator said they had not given the company permission to use their artwork.
“Shouldn’t [NET] have contacted us first?” they asked.
Images of Hug Taiwan Leo were first uploaded in 2014 and remain available as a sticker set on Line, they said.
Netizens filled the comments section with criticism, accusing the company of “straight-up plagiarism.”
The Line stickers and leopard cat embroidered on NET T-shirts had the same pose, expression and placement of their spots, they said.
NET said there had clearly been an oversight in the design and review process, and the company failed to properly verify image licensing.
The company said that it has apologized to the creator and the two sides are discussing a formal collaboration.
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