Nirvana Sued For Using Art From Illustration Based On Dante’s Inferno
The heir of a British artist who drew a map of hell for a translation of Dante’s Inferno has sued Nirvana in the Los Angeles federal court for copyright infringement.
The complainant, Jocely Bundy, alleges Nirvana misused the image on its merchandise and said that she discovered in January that the band had been using the image since 1997.
Reuters reported that the drawing, by Bundy’s grandfather CW Scott-Giles, had appeared on shirts, mugs, vinyl records, and other merchandise sold at stores like Walmart, H&M, and Hot Topic.
The drawing depicts Dante’s circles of Upper Hell, which appear in the first part of the medieval poet’s Divine Comedy, one of the seminal works of European literature and poetry.
It comes as Nirvana fights another legal stoush with Marc Jacobs over who owns the rights to the iconic “smiley face” that has adorned the band’s t-shirts and merchandise for the past quarter of a century.
At the time, Nirvana said the design “threatened to dilute the value of Nirvana’s licenses with its licensees for clothing products”. For its part, Marc Jacobs counter-sued arguing the smiley face—part of its ‘Redux Grunge Collection’—was a “commonplace image”.
That case hit a snag after graphic designer Robert Fisher, who designed several Nirvana record covers, claimed he designed the album cover (not Kurt Cobain) and was the rightful copyright holder.
Similarly, Bundy alleged that previous copyright actions by Nirvana had wrongfully claimed Cobain created the illustration or that it was in the public domain, via Blabbermout.
Featured image source: eBay
Please login with linkedin to comment
NirvanaLatest News
M&C Saatchi Still Tops For New Business Wins, But Newcomer It’s Friday Off To A Flyer
It might be a little more than six months old but indie creative agency It’s Friday, headed by former Leos and Saatchi boss Pete Bosilkovski, is off to an impressive start judging by R3’s monthly review of new business wins. It’s Friday posted an impressive third spot on June’s new business wins after the agency […]
Ryvalmedia Retains Top Spot For New Media Wins For June
Indie agency Ryvalmedia continues its impressive run, topping R3’s June list for new business wins for the third consecutive month. It’s been an impressive 2022 for the (lead image) Simon Ryan-steered agency after it announced the opening of its Sydney office in mid-July. Ryvalmedia was again R3’s pick of the media agencies with wins that […]
CRA Chief Ford Ennals Announces Refresher For Radio Company
CRA chief executive officer Ford Ennals (pictured) announced today a renewed strategic direction for the peak radio industry body, with a greater emphasis on the digital audio market along with supporting its members to grow commercial radio advertising revenue. “We are experiencing strong growth in digital audio so it’s timely for CRA to have a […]
AWS’s Curiosity Kid Campaign Is A Heartwarming Tribute To Small-Scale Success
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched its first Above the Line (ATL) brand campaign after a decade of being in Australia, with the feel-good ‘Curiosity Kid’ ad series showcasing the many brands using its services. The campaign, which launched on August 7, highlights how AWS can be used for innovation by local businesses, demonstrating a […]
What Aussie Brands Can Learn From Global Lessons In Sustainability Engagement
In this guest post, Stu Wragg (lead image), chief strategy officer at Herd MSL, takes a look at global brands getting the sustainability message right and the lessons Aussie brands can learn along the way… The need to address increased consumer and employee interest in the environmental and social action of business is clear to […]
SOCA Welcomes Two New Senior Hires In Farah Alias And Neil Martin
Significant Other Creative Agency (SOCA) has brought on two senior hires, with Farah Alias joining as partnerships director and Neil ‘Marty’ Martin jumping into a dual head of art role. Alias (pictured, right) brings with her a wealth of senior international experience and knowledge from DDB & BBDO Singapore, Wunderman Thompson, and most recently Rare. […]
“Insensitive Idiots!” Seven Denounced For Airing Unauthorised Olivia Newton-John Mini Series
Seven denounced for airing unauthorised Olivia Newton-John mini-series last night. Praised for not airing Xanadu.
Brandcrush Lands Former 30 Under 30 Winner As Head Of Marketplace Partnerships
Further proof winning a B&T 30 Under 30 doesn't just result in a naff trophy & bad hangover comes this appointment news.
Sorrell Forced To Halt S4 Acquisitions As Investor Concerns Escalate
It would appear Sir Martin's golden touch is no longer as glowing as his golden perma-tan.
Nielsen Study: Half Of Marketers Not Spending Enough To Get Maximum ROI
Study finds half of marketers are underspending. Yet it's the overspending ones that any agency truly wants.
Wavemaker Adelaide Announces Slew Of Senior Promotions
It is going off in Adelaide this morning. And now there's a sentence you rarely hear, isn't it?
“Bunch Of Losers!” Reporter Hilariously Trolls Pro Golfers Over Kim & Pete’s Break-Up
B&T's editorial proposition is to deliver meaningful insights into the media industry. But not this, this is just crap.
“The Impact Is Real” Campaign Launched By La Trobe Uni And CHEP
Is your brain surviving solely on the Daily Mail and Netflix binges? Why not jumpstart it with a La Trobe Uni course.
LiSTNR And Schwartz Media Kicking Goals With The Sport Podcast
If the LiSTNR comms person charges by the word they'd be hitting billionaire status with their now daily communiques.
oOh!media Snatches Josh Gurgiel Back From Thinkerbell Leadership Team
oOh!media's Josh Gurgiel returns to the fold in further evidence the damage a nude run can do at your farewell bash.
Tuesday TV Wrap: Nine’s Grease Rerun Pulls 450,000 Eyeballs, Proof We Are Hopelessly Devoted To Olivia
As if there isn't a Kleenex shortage as there is, Nine goes & airs Grease last night in hastily cobbled Olivia tribute.
Sydney Markets Rolls Out New Brand Logo And Identity
Sydney Markets unveils new brand logo and identity. B&T can't help but think the eggplant a missed opportunity.
Study: 45% Of Aussie Ys Now Using Food Delivery Services, With Uber Eats The Clear Number One
Young people may never own their own home, but latest findings prove they'll be very well-fed rental tenants.
Ogilvy NZ Lands Partnership With Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
Ogilvy NZ has been appointed as the new creative and strategy agency for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. BCFNZ chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner said the Ogilvy team presented a new direction for the foundation with a strong focus on reaching Maori and Pasifika women who were over-represented in breast cancer statistics. “Ogilvy’s approach acknowledged our current […]
Doritos And ReachOut Launch Youth Mental Health Campaign
Here's some excellent mental health work from Doritos. Less so for people with high sodium diets.
“Learnt Nothing!” Today’s Alison Langdon Lambasts The Liberal Party
Viewers mistaken for thinking Karl was back on the turps as Today takes surprisingly feisty turn this morning.
Claxon Bags CarExpert Partnership For Creative And Media
Australian new car website, CarExpert.com.au has appointed independent growth agency Claxon as its creative and media agency after pitches from a slew of other agencies that included HERO and DDB. Claxon will be handling the creation of a new national TVC campaign and the associated media account working closely with shareholder, Seven West Media to […]
Alex Bruce-Smith Shares Her Candid Thoughts On Are Media’s Research Project HERFuture
Yet to read Are Media's research project HERFuture? Thankfully this person has and picked out the choicest nuggets here.
The Game Changer, Programmatic DOOH: Download Your Exclusive Copy Today!
Download your digital out of home ebook today! Print it out and jam the printer for added rage and unsavoury language.
Snapchat Targets Safety For Teen Users With New Family Center Tool
Have no idea what the kids are up to on social media because you have no idea how to use it? Hats off to Snapchat here.
Hinge Debuts NFAQ In-App Function For LGBTQIA+ Users
Are you an AL or an acronym lover? Well, you'll love this acronym ladened headline here.
Fiverr Launches New “Team Up” Campaign Targeting Mid Sized Businesses
Be first to see Fiverr's new B2B campaign here. Although that does falsely suggest some sort of B&T exclusivity here.
Why Are We Still Banging Our Heads Against The Glass Ceiling?
Always a delight to chat with AZK Media's Azadeh Williams. Well, Azadeh may not necessarily reciprocate said delight.
Samba TV Report: Half Of Aussie Households Still Watch Linear TV
Report finds 50% of Aussies still watch linear TV. Meaning half are missing out on Sunrise's Cash Cow.
Repco Roars Into 100th Birthday With New Campaign Via Thinkerbell
Thinkerbell could've gone with the Queen penning a letter for Repco's 100th, but as you'll see here, it didn't.
AAMI Launches “Bargain Regret” Campaign Via Ogilvy Melbourne
If you've ever holidayed in Kuta or dined at a local leagues club, you'll soon empathise with this 'bargain regret' ad.
Apple Forced To Remove All ‘Made In Taiwan’ Stickers Amid Latest China Crisis
Apple forced to appease the Chinese over Taiwan. Meanwhile, Australia just bans Huawei outright.
Richard Wilkins Breaks Down In Karl Stefanovic’s Arms Paying Tribute To Olivia Newton-John
Richard's tears were tears for a nation at Olivia's passing. But let's just hope 'Physical' doesn't re-enter the charts.
InsideOut PR Wins Prestige InHome Care Account
Sydney PR agency InsideOut PR has been appointed for Prestige InHome Care, an in-home aged care service with a focus on media relations. InsideOut PR worked with Prestige Inhome Care back in 2013 and again in 2017 launching their public relations and advertising program; and supporting their growing profile in the market. Founder and CEO […]
Monday TV Wrap: The Block Nails Entertainment Again, But Seven Builds To Win
Commonwealth Games done & dusted for another four years. So now we can all go back to being disinterested in running.
Foxtel Records 4.4 Million Paid Subscribers As Q4 Numbers Released
Patrick Delaney enjoying a fruit basket from the Murdochs this morning as Foxtel posts impressive gains.
