Reform UK remove Andy Burnham attack ads after artist’s legal action threat
Reform UK has withdrawn a series of attack ads featuring a portrait of Andy Burnham following a legal threat from the artist who accused the party of copyright infringement. Lawyers for illustrator Stanley Chow have demanded a public apology for content they claim was “edited without permission”, claiming his image was used without permission to promote an “anti-immigration” message.
The images, reportedly generated by artificial intelligence, showed individuals on a small boat carrying “Vote Andy” banners bearing a distinctive portrait of Mr Chow’s Makerfield by-election candidate and Labor leadership hopeful.
A spokesman for Reform England said the party argued that the use of the material, which was shared several times on social media, “constitutes fair use” and that “this legal action is politically motivated”.
“However, we removed these posts in good faith and without accepting any liability,” they said.
Law firm Brabners said the artist was entitled to injunctive relief or an undertaking to cease and desist and remove allegedly infringing works, as well as compensation and a public apology.
A letter of demand sent to party headquarters said the artist, whose original portrait featured prominently in the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s by-election campaign, would seek compensation of at least £5,000.
It also stated that Mr. Chow required that a press release acknowledging his rights and the alleged infringing activity be published on Reform’s social media channels and website.
Brabners is understood to have said that if the undertakings were not accepted by 2pm on Monday he would advise his client to commence formal court proceedings.
Mr Chow, a second-generation immigrant from Manchester, said the Reform UK post “misrepresented what the image represents and what I believe”.
“To me, it’s obvious; my work was used without permission to share a message that I fundamentally disagree with,” he said.
“It is fundamentally unfair and wrong to see my portrait, created to represent something positive about Manchester and Andy’s vision for the city, being used, without my consent, to push agendas, including the anti-immigration message.”
Colin Bell, partner at Brabners, said: “This is a clear case of copyright infringement.
“This is important because a work created by an artist with care and intention has been used and edited without permission, without compensation or compensation. This is unacceptable.”
“Stan is entitled to injunctive relief or covenants to cease and desist and remove infringing works – damages and a public apology.”
