News

ION Orchard removes image accused of plagiarism: ‘We respect the creative rights of artists and expect the same of our agencies’

ION Orchard has removed an image used in a promotion that was accused of plagiarising the work of a top fashion photographer, and said that it respects the intellectual property rights of artists and expects the same of the creative partners that it works with.

The high-end shopping mall on Singapore’s Orchard Road used an image, created by local agency Tofu Design, for a spring/summer promo that was deemed to have copied a piece by Tim Walker, and debate about the similarities between the two works emerged in social media just before the weekend.

ION Orchard campaign

KL-based creative CK Koo pointed out the similarities between the two works – which both feature a white-robed woman next to a white peacock – in a post on Facebook, using the words “Sadly, when copying in this industry becomes common.”

The work of Tim Walker

Tim Walker’s work

In a statement after Mumbrella’s story was published on Monday, the shopping mall said: “ION Orchard respects and supports the creative and intellectual property rights of artists, and we expect the same of the entities we work with. We have removed the image in question.”

CK Koo's post on ION campaign

CK Koo’s post on ION promo

The image has been taken down from ION’s website and from other marketing collateral supporting the ‘Spring magnificence’ campaign, according to the company.

In a separate statement, the agnecy told Mumbrella: “Tofu acknowledges that we worked on ION Orchard’s recent Spring/Summer campaign 2016 and should have exercised better oversight and control over its contents. We have worked with our client to remove the image in question. We maintain that we respect creative integrity in what we do. We sincerely apologise for any distress and inconveniences caused to ION Orchard and any parties involved.”

Tim Walker has been approached for comment.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella Asia newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing