Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic will take the low-cost airline, AirAsia, to court for using his artwork without permission.
Ernest stated in a press release on Friday that he has been committed to resolving the current dispute fairly and is making every effort to reach a friendly settlement.
However, he stated that AirAsia's offer did not reflect the true value of his work and did not address the issue of unauthorized use.
"AirAsia's response, as usual, consists of issuing standard corporate statements, denying past infringements, and delaying the discussion process."
"Even though I have consistently sought a fair solution, AirAsia's offer neither reflects the value of my work nor addresses the issue of unauthorized use."
"I have no choice but to take legal action to protect my rights."
Last November, Ernest stated that AirAsia used his artwork 'Riding Siblings' without his consent, emphasizing that this was not the first time AirAsia had used his creations without authorization. He also revealed that he had communicated with the airline about similar incidents previously but had never received a positive response.
As a result, Ernest is formally demanding that AirAsia stop using his artwork without proper authorization, consent, or compensation.
He claims that although AirAsia initially responded to these demands, he alleges that new unauthorized use cases continue to occur.
Ernest believes that this recurring behavior has broader negative impacts.
"Apart from my personal experience, it also sends a wrong message that artists' works can be freely used without considering intellectual property."
He further pointed out that this practice not only infringes on his creative rights but also damages the art community in Malaysia and across the region.
He stated: "I feel obliged to stand up — not only for myself but for all artists — to challenge this practice and demand accountability."