Fans Calling Out Billie Eilish for Using Nozomi Fan-art for Clothing Line Siberia Hills
This is going to be tough. UK Singer Billie Eilish is now being called out by fans for the use of fan-art of the character Nozomi Tojo from the anime series “Love Live” for a limited edition hoodie done in collaboration with the “brand” Siberia Hills.
Here’s what she posted on her Twitter account:
BILLIE EILISH x SIBERIA HILLS
Available now in limited quantities for a limited time. https://t.co/DfS5chOLZ5 pic.twitter.com/CrwCCvRyDG— billie eilish (@billieeilish) August 7, 2019
Check out what some fans on Twitter posted as response to the “Bad Guy” singer/composer’s promotional post:
So you’re just gonna sell merch with Nozomi on it and think no one’s gonna recognize her? Either she or someone in her party knew who this was and is gonna get sued. pic.twitter.com/Sbu9kg1TTZ
— 🍋🍊🍋 (@TOUDOUJlNPACHI) August 8, 2019
so youre just going to steal artwork, slap it on a hoodie, and then put a price tag on it???? https://t.co/pUe6knUAWW
— roo🗡 (@JIRAlYAH) August 8, 2019
One Twitter user also added that the clothing line that Eilish was promoting was also a known bootleg seller, not to mention an art thief…
Also wanted to add that this “brand” Siberia Hills are bootleg merch creators who steal copywritten materials and sell them at exorbitant prices which is illegal under both US and Japanese copyright laws. Billie please dont support these kinds of practices. pic.twitter.com/HBKcemRS6l
— 💜💖Noire💙💜 (@NoiresDusk) August 8, 2019
Also just to be clear on the context, these commentors on Twitter are defending the use of fan-art and not really the actual IP for Love Live…
this art was originally from a Japanese artist, @m_qurokawa
please do not sell merchandise with stolen art— futuring boy @ marianne appreciation (@aidoruhakase) August 8, 2019
Like this post, they were really concerned that the artist was compensated for the use of the artwork…
Please tell me the artist is being compensated for this and that you didn’t steal their artwork.
— shay 🍊🌸 | stream Principal (@chikasrikos) August 8, 2019
THERE! Finally somebody said it:
Not how it works. The artist themselves shouldn't be profiting on account of this being fan art of a licensed character. This is both art theft, which is douchey but not illegal, and copyright infringement, which is illegal… in both Japan and the US. A much, much bigger oopsie.
— Peter (@bun_taicho) August 9, 2019
