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Teenager sued for copyright infringement after using corporate logo in Draw Something

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Teenager sued for copyright infringement after using corporate logo in Draw Something
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A teenager from Malvern is being sued for copyright infringement after tweeting a picture he created in Draw Something featuring a well-known corporate logo.

The copyright-holder – which has secured an injunction preventing its name from being revealed – contacted sixth-former Glynn Stonehouse through its UK solicitor on Saturday.

In an excerpt of the legal notice obtained by BBC News, it is revealed that the athletics goods company is claiming damages of $45,000 for use of its logo in a way that “materially harms the integrity of the brand and its commercial viability theretofore predicated.”

“At first I thought it was a joke,” a distraught Stonehouse told BBC News. “But I didn't see anybody laughing - not even my cousin Jennifer. That's when I knew,” he added.

Stonehouse drew the distinctive 'swoosh'-shaped logo as an incidental detail on his illustration of a shoe, before posting his work on Twitter. He speculates that the picture was then referred to the unnamed company, which is famous for its 'Air Jordan' trainers, by one of his followers.

“Or it might have been Dave,” he said.

The company was unavailable for comment.


Rob Hearn
Rob Hearn
Having obtained a distinguished education, Rob became Steel Media's managing editor, now he's no longer here though.