H&M is back in hot water, this time for allegedly violating copyright laws. Street artist Revok sent the retailer a cease-and-desist letter after his art appeared in a H&M ad. The artist said his graffiti appeared in H&M’s ‘New Routine’ campaign, and claimed that permission was never sought. As Konbini reports, lawyers allege that “unauthorized use of his original artwork, and the manner in which it is using the work, is damaging”, adding that it’s “likely to cause consumers familiar with his work to believe there is a relationship between the parties”.

H&M responded by saying graffiti is “the product of criminal conduct”, therefore Revok holds no copyright ownership. The retailer also filed a lawsuit against Revok. Konbini quotes the lawsuit as stating “the entitlement to copyright protection is a privilege under federal law that does not extend to illegally created works”.

Artists have come out in support of Revok. London artist Insa_gram called for a boycott of H&M on Instagram. Dutch street art crew Lastplak supported the boycott on Twitter. Street art page Protest Stencil even shared a picture of H&M that was defaced by graffiti on Twitter>