Chinese Cartoonist Sues Nike
Found on The Ledger on Friday, 16 July 2004
Zhu Zhiqiang has filed a lawsuit asking for 2 million yuan ($240,000) in compensation from Nike as well as a public apology for allegedly copying his "Little Match Man" illustration in one of its worldwide ad campaigns, the China Daily said.
"The small man figure created by the plaintiff and his gestures are absolutely different from Nike's Stickman," the China Daily quoted Nike's lawyer in China, Zhang Zaiping, as saying. He added that the U.S. company was "devoted" to the protection of intellectual property rights.
The official Xinhua News Agency said Nike argued that the image is a common symbol not entitled to protection under copyright law.
This raises an interesting question: if such a common symbol is not protected by copyright, then why can MS use the same argument (misuse of "their" name/logo) to fight against Lindows (and others)? In this case, people will see it as a cheap try to get some money; but in Bill's case, it is taken very seriously. On a side note: Zhu's animations are worth a look, especially the Xiao Xiao series.