How do you make sure you aren’t buying from companies that have stolen artists’ work?

Last week, illustrator Tuesday Bassen took to Twitter to accuse fashion retailer Zara of ripping off her designs. She posted a side-by-side comparison, above, of her original illustrations and Zara’s near identical versions. To anyone with eyes, Zara’s versions are undeniable copies. Bassen tweeted the graphic in response to a letter she received from Zara denying her claim, arguing that the designs in question weren’t distinctive enough to be associated with her, and that any complaints coming from her small customer and fan base were insignificant compared to Zara’s millions of clientele worldwide. But Zara might be wrong about the impact one independent artist can have when she gets enough interested parties on her side. In the week since her tweet went up, Bassen’s situation has been covered by several media outlets and a third party has even set up a Go Fund Me in her name. And it’s drawn attention to other artists whose work Zara has co-opted. Shop… Read More

How do you make sure you aren’t buying from companies that have stolen artists’ work? : Brokelyn