Artist to sue AirAsia over unauthorised use of his iconic Penang mural
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Mr Zacharevic said it was “deeply disappointing” when he found out that AirAsia had been using his artwork without his consent.
PHOTO: ERNEST ZACHAREVIC
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SINGAPORE – Artist Ernest Zacharevic will be taking legal action against AirAsia over the airline’s unauthorised use of his artwork.
This comes after talks between the Lithuanian artist and the Malaysian budget carrier, which began after he spotted his iconic Children On A Bicycle artwork on one of AirAsia’s aircraft
The artwork has become one of Mr Zacharevic’s most well-known street murals since he painted it in 2012 in Penang, drawing fans and tourists from all over the world to the Malaysian island.
After he called out AirAsia on the issue, both parties have been in talks to resolve the matter.
The Malaysia-based artist said on Jan 24 that while he remained firm in seeking a fair resolution, the offer he received from AirAsia failed to reflect “the value of my work” or address the “broader issue of unauthorised use”.
“I have done everything in my power to resolve this matter amicably. However, AirAsia has now declared their final offer, leaving me with no choice but to pursue legal action to protect my rights,” he said in a statement to The Straits Times, without elaborating.
Mr Zacharevic refused to disclose AirAsia’s offer when asked by ST. He said he will be seeking compensation from the carrier for illegally using his artwork on its planes, as well as for past infringements.
“We also seek AirAsia’s commitment to refrain from any use of my work in all its future campaigns, including by any of its associated brands, and agents,” he told ST in a text message.
In his statement, Mr Zacharevic also said he decided to take legal action to send a message that artists’ works have value and cannot be used freely without any regard for intellectual property rights.
“I feel a responsibility to stand up – not just for myself, but for all artists – to challenge this narrative and demand accountability,” he said.
He said it was “deeply disappointing” when he found out that AirAsia had been using his artwork without his consent.
“Over the years, my murals have appeared in their e-mail campaigns, online advertisements, in-flight magazines, printed banners, and more. Whether it’s the airline, delivery service, or hotel business, my ‘bicycle mural’ has frequently been featured without my permission,” he said.
ST has contacted AirAsia for comment.
