An artist’s daughter sent a copyright complaint to Elon Musk and this is how he replied
When he’s not sending cars into space Elon Musk has been drawn into a farting unicorn dispute with a potter, reports the Guardian.
Here’s one of the mugs made by a chap called Tom Edwards.
And here’s something that Tusk tweeted out that had been made on his sketch pad and is incorporated in Tesla’s operating system.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/847259545755820033
Can you see any resemblance?
Anyway, here’s what Edwards’ daughter had to say.
hey y’all Grimes’ boyfriend ripped off my dad’s art! this is a true story! what do you have to say for yourself @elonmusk ?? https://t.co/TMMJAS1ZGM
— Lisa Prank (@lisaprank) June 26, 2018
And how Musk replied.
I think Nik @jovanik21 did an illustration with Tesla sketch pad Easter egg similar to mug pic that I posted. Was chosen randomly by software team as a joke (they didn’t tell me in advance) as an example of the hidden feature. We can change it to something else if your Dad wants.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 27, 2018
Your company has been using his creative property for a year without credit or compensation—don’t you think artists deserve to be paid for their work? Maybe you can respond to the letter his lawyer sent you & you guys can work something out
— Lisa Prank (@lisaprank) June 27, 2018
Was actually someone else’s drawing of a unicorn on hidden Tesla sketch pad app & we gained no financial benefit. Have asked my team to use a diff example going forward. He can sue for money if he wants, but that’s kinda lame. If anything, this attention increased his mug sales.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 27, 2018
It’s a direct copy of his work. And every element that goes into building the Tesla financially benefits you.
— Lisa Prank (@lisaprank) June 27, 2018
it was also sent out in Tesla Christmas promotional material. You used it to add to your brand
— Lisa Prank (@lisaprank) June 27, 2018
Here’s what the potter, Tom Edwards, had to tell the Guardian.
“I realize my farting unicorn is not as serious as whistleblowers,” he said, “but honestly, it’s all about integrity. I’d really like to get on Elon Musk’s good side … He’s really really interesting. But he isn’t above copyright law.”
And what people made of it online.
This is such weapons-grade dickery, seriously. Pay the artist, FFS. https://t.co/fcALuGm8W9
— Kate (@katebevan) June 27, 2018
Which appeared to prompt a mild change of heart, if not exactly a handbrake turn from Musk.
The Guardian article is bs in every possible way & I offered to pay the guy who drew it twice already for something I don’t even want. This isn’t part of “Tesla branding”. Brand, ugh. I hate very word.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 28, 2018
haha didnt expect to get into a fight over farting unicorns did ya?
— Patrick Oliveras (@OliverasPatrick) June 28, 2018
Nothing is more absurd than reality! This silly ☕️ drawing that was just added as a silly example for our sketchpad Easter egg has bothered me more than anything today. I definitely care about artists getting compensated. It would be unfair not to do so.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 28, 2018
To conclude …
The spinoff you never knew you wanted. pic.twitter.com/NaE0n0c6C2
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 27, 2018