A leather jacket worn by Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski is at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit after Lego created a toy version of the TV personality wearing a similar leather jacket.
Porowski donned a James Concannon-designed leather jacket during a season past of Netflix’s hit Netflix series. It features art on the front including a skull and peace sign, along with graffiti-style words on the back, such as ‘thyme Is on My Sign’.
Lego unveiled a Queer Eye Toy Set last fall. It featured miniatures of five of the series’ stars. One of the outfits available was a leather jacket featuring graffiti-style artwork.
In a lawsuit filed in Connecticut in December, Concannon says that Lego ‘painstakingly copied not only the individual creative elements of the jacket, but the unique placement, coordination, and arrangement of the individual artistic elements, as well.’
An infringement suit is centered on the leather jacket Antoni porowski, Queer Eye star, has worn.
Lego unveiled a Queer Eye Set in October. It includes an Antoni option, including a leather jacket featuring white artwork.
![Designer James Concannon, who made Antoni's jacket, is accusing Lego of 'painstakingly [copying] not only the individual creative elements of the jacket, but the unique placement, coordination, and arrangement of the individual artistic elements, as well'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/17/18/53033523-10411217-Designer_James_Concannon_who_made_Antoni_s_jacket_is_accusing_Le-m-76_1642444206502.jpg)
Designer James Concannon, who made Antoni’s jacket, is accusing Lego of ‘painstakingly [copying]Not only are the creative elements in the jacket unique, but also the arrangement, coordination, placement and arrangement of each artistic element.
The Fashion Law reports that Concannon made the custom-made leather jacket Porowski requested in 2018.
In 2019, he posted photos on Instagram showing the “Thyme Is on My Side” jacket. He wrote: “Spraypaint on leather. 1 of 1. 1 of 1. Love you Popo.’
A black jacket with a skull design on one chest and the words “raw” and “war” written below, as well as a yin/yang collar with sad and smiling faces.
The collar on the opposing side has a peace sign, while the collar on the left-hand side features a pair fists and words that say: “As monuments Fall/ Tear down the Walls/ And Shake Hate’s Chain / Off Society’s Brain.”
On the back, it says “Thyme Is on My Side” in a thick white font with a gray background.
According to his suit, it was made using a simple black leather jacket Porowski had sent to Concannon. Concannon then added his own artwork to the jacket, creating and organizing each element in order to reflect his unique aesthetic.
He copyrighted the design in November 2021.
The photos from the shoot show side-by sides comparisons of both the Lego and designer jacket
Black jacket featuring a white skull on one chest and the words “raw” and “war” written below. A yin-yang collar with sad and smiling faces features on it.
In a drip white font on a gray background, the back reads “Thyme’s on my side”
One of Lego’s Queereye sets, on sale since October 2021 has a changeable top containing a leather jacket made from black and white.
Concannon (pictured), accuses Lego de replicating his jacket sans permission or compensation. He claims he “never consented” to the company ‘exploiting’ his work.
It appears that the markings are a Lego skull with a smiley face and piece sign, as well as a globe. It also seems to have similar zipper and button placements.
The back of the card reads: “Rebuild our world” in a drip white font with a gray background.
In Concannon’s complaint, he accuses Lego of replicating his jacket without permission or compensation.
The suit says ‘he certainly never agreed to allow LEGO — the largest toy company in the world, with over $5 billion in annual revenue — to commercially exploit his artwork for free.’
They allegedly ‘infringed upon and will continue infringing on his copyrights in jacket, by copying, public displaying, distribution, and creating derivative works from the infringing products, which are substantially similar to, derivated from, or a derivative of. [his]Original art and design
Though Concannon designed the jacket in 2018, he didn’t copyright the design until November 2021 – a month after Lego’s Queer Eye set came out
According to him, Lego offered him a set for free but then withdrew the offer. He is now seeking monetary damages.
When he first brought the issue to Lego’s attention, he alleges that they offered him a ‘free Fab 5 Loft set — which retails for $99.99 — for [his]To play with a six-year old son, but he later declined the invitation. [him]Lego products are not given away free of charge.
Concannon claims that when he sent Concannon a cease and desist letter, it was informed that Lego would be facing an uphill battle. [for them].’
Lego’s attorneys also stated that “in essence, by gifting his jacket to Porowski knowing that…” [he] would wear the jacket on Queer Eye, Concannon was granting an “implied license” to Netflix to use the jacket in any manner it pleased — including sub-licensing the work to LEGO.’
Concannon seeks monetary damages to cover ‘all damages. [he]For any gains or profits, suffered [LEGO].’