Confirmed 11,215

Overview

Bunny Michael Thinx Plagiarism Accusation refers to an ongoing controversy between artist Bunny Michael and the clothing company Thinx. Michael alleges that the company deliberately copied Michael's work for a series of advertisements.

Background

On November 10th, 2019, artist Bunny Michael posted a photograph comparing their work with a Thinx ad that features Broad City star Illana Glazer comforting her double.^[1] They wrote, "That feeling when a multi million dollar company contacts u to work w them – and after it doesn't work out u see how they clearly ripped off ur concept #thinx." The post received more than 22,000 likes in two days (shown below).

They continued:

By no means do I think I’m the first person to take “double” pictures of themselves but after receiving a very misleading inquiry from the company in my work- and afterwards seeing their use of a “double” in the context of self care I feel like I have to speak out. If independent artists don’t vocalize these unethical corporate practices nothing will ever change @shethinx We should all be lifting each other up – especially if that’s what ur company supposedly stands for.

That feeling when a multi million dollar company contacts u to work w them and after it doesn't work out u see how they clearly ripped off ur concept #thinx bunnymichael. Follow bunnymichael By no means do I think I'm the first person to take "double" pictures of themselves but after receiving a very misleading inquiry from the company in my work- and afterwards seeing their use of a "double" in the context of self carel feel like I have to speak out. If independent artists don't vocalize these unethical corporate practices nothing will ever change @shethinx We should all be lifting each other up especially if that's what ur company supposedly stands for shethinx 2 DAYS AGO Add a comment... Post VIEW PRODUCTS

Developments

Michael's Full Statement

On their Instagram Story,^[2] Michael further explained the issue. In the post, they explained that Michael had been contacted by Thinx in April 2019 in regards to Michael's participation in a book. After some time, Michael claims that even though they signed a contract for the book and offered ideas, they had never been paid. Thinx claimed that it was a miscommunication. However, Michael alleged that Thinx and Illana Glazer were familiar with their work (full statement below).

bunnymichael 2h My statement on plagiarism and Thinx campaign- I want to be totally clear above how this went down. Thinx contacted me in April asking if I would contribute to a book they were publishing. They offered me $700. Even tho the pay was low I sincerely thought it would be a good cause so I agreed. They sent me a contract and wanted to set up a phone meeting to talk about what I would contribute. I agreed because the job was already confirmed. We had a phone meeting where I gave multiple ideas for content I could contribute. They said they would follow up the following week but instead they ghosted. I wrote them again asking hey what's up? They said they wanted to go in a different direction w the book and asked if I wanted to contribute to their blog. I immediately wrote them and told them they sent me a contract and told me this was a done deal (for the book). I would have NEVER given a company my ideas for free. I was under the pretense I was hired/being payed. They wrote back apologizing for the "miscommunication" and asked again if I Send Message X

bunnymichael 2h "miscommunication" and asked again if wanted to contribute to their blog. I never responded because the way they went about hearing my ideas was under false pretenses and I found it very shady. I also would never have wanted to contribute content for their blog. They obviously are very familiar w my work and that is why I chose to speak out on their latest campaign which obviously rips from a concept I have been posting since 2016. Ilana Glazer has also reposted my meme on her instagram- maybe that's how they found out about me? I dunno. I wonder if I was the only artist they heard ideas from and then said they're taking it in a diff direction. V.. Send Message X

Thinx Response

Thinx responded to Michael via email.^[2] The company said:

Thinx has been doing surrealist ad campaigns like this since our inception in 2013. This particular collaboration was created exclusively with Illana and inspired by our previous campaigns. No other artists were approached for this project. The campaign also features not only doubles but also three or four Illanas to really underscore the campaign's theme, which is literal self-care.

Also, we'd like to assure you that the project out to you about in April was exclusive regarding an editorial contribution and did not involve this campaign or any other product campaign in any way. We respect you as an artist and would never copy your work or anyone else's without giving proper credit.

Michael responded, "How can it not be a copy if they've already seen it and make something that looks just like it? I just don't get it- like did they just wipe it from memory, or?"

bunnymichael 4h X Thinx finally responded! Der Buy I wanted to reach out about your recent posts on nstagram about our colaboration with ana Claze We take these concerns very seriously and wanted to clear the air with you Thinx has been doing surrealist ad campaigns Se ths since our inception in 2013 this particular colaboration was oeated exclusively with lana and nspired by our previous campaigns No other tists were approached for this project. The cmpaign also features not only doubles but alse three and four 1lanas to realy underscore the campaige's theme, which is iteral self-care Also, wed ke to assure you that the project we reached out to you about in April was exclusively regarding an edtorial contribution and did not involve this camrpaign or any ather product campaign in any way We respect you as an artist and would never copy your work or anyene else's wthout giving proper credit Ii you'd le to talk more about this, please feel free to reach out How can it not be a copy if they've already seen it and make something that looks just like it? I just don't get it- like did they just wipe it from memory, or? It's just funny cus I would probably believe it wasn't a copy if they hadn't already Best seen ny use of double self in the context of 1iteral self care Send Message

Search Interest

Not available.

External References

^[1] Instagram – @bunnymichael's Post

^[2] Daily Dot – Artist says Thinx underwear campaign ripped off their memes

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Bunny Michael Thinx Plagiarism Accusation

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