Supreme Could Face Lawsuit From Thailand For Using Monk’s Photo On Jacket
Image via Tobias Steinert / Shutterstock.com
Supreme might be facing a lawsuit for putting an image of a late monk on one of its apparels without authorization from Thailand’s National Office of Buddhism.
According to Complex, the New York-based streetwear brand printed an image of Luang Phor Koon surrounded by yant script—a sacred form of tattoos reserved for Buddhist monks—on its Blessings Ripstop Shirt, which is part of its Spring/Summer 2021 collection.
The shirt depicts the celebrated monk sitting and smoking. According to The Fashion Law, it is one of the “most popular photos” of Luang, who passed in 2015. The photo, which was taken with the monk’s permission, was initially printed on products to raise funds for Wat Ban Rai, a temple in the Nakho Ratchasima province.
A spokesperson for the National Office of Buddhism said Supreme did not reach out to seek permission to use the image, which might lead to the rise of potential issues of copyright infringement.
The Bangkok Post reported that the Wat Ban Rai is entitled to “full copyright protection” and that Thai officials are currently deliberating over legal options.
#หลวงพ่อคูณ
— Gwynn Angkul (@gawingawan) February 17, 2021
Supreme Blessing Ripstop Shirt
Spring/ Summer 2021 Collection #PopCulture https://t.co/YaIYmkQu9U pic.twitter.com/OxxGzWtcYX
Was this a licensing deal? Fashion brand Supreme's collection features Luang Por Khun (หลวงพ่อคูณ), a venerated Thai Buddhist monk, on its "all cotton Blessings ripstop shirt" https://t.co/YaeDIHqViL pic.twitter.com/W14XIPUA4b
— Chayut ☠️ (@ChayutSet) February 16, 2021
[via Complex, cover image via Tobias Steinert / Shutterstock.com]
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