Elon Musk Stole An Image Of A Farting Unicorn From An Artist And Refuses To Pay For It
Market Watch- An image of a farting unicorn is causing a stink between a Colorado artist and Elon Musk. Tom Edwards created the whimsical image of a unicorn powering an electric car with its own gas in 2010, and put it on ceramic mugs that he sells. “Electric cars are good for the environment because electricity comes from magic,” the mugs say. That eventually caught the eye of Musk, the chief executive of electric-car maker Tesla Inc. TSLA, +2.96% , who tweeted last year: “Maybe my favorite mug ever.” A month later, Musk tweeted a picture of the very same farting unicorn that appeared as a doodle, apparently drawn on a sketch pad found on Tesla’s center console. The farting unicorn also appeared as an app icon on the Tesla console screen, and again appeared on Tesla’s annual Christmas card last year.
Edwards’ lawyers got involved in May, claiming Tesla’s appropriation of the farting unicorn was a clear copyright infringement. “Please don’t take this as a shakedown,” Denver attorney Timothy Atkinson wrote to Tesla, according to a report by Denver-based alt-weekly Westworld. “What we are seeking instead is a discussion, and a mutual decision in a way to value the past and continuing use of the image, in a way that both sides can feel good about.” Edwards told The Guardian that he’s not seeking a ton of money. “I love the fact that it’s in the cars, but I just want them to do the right thing and pay me adequately for it,” he said. “Elon Musk can be a hero for standing up for artists’ rights.”
Wait a darn second! You’re telling me Elon Musk is being an asshole about something? WOW! I’m shocked! This time it’s over an image of a farting unicorn that he very clearly stole from an artist and now refuses to pay the guy. Like nothing has ever been clearer than this but Musk thinks that since he’s a famous billionaire the rules don’t apply to him. Think about it. Musk literally has billions of dollars, he clearly stole the image of the farting unicorn (and used it in his cars and their app) and he still refuses to do the right thing. That’s the definition of an entitled asshole who thinks he can do whatever he wants. I’ve said it before and I’ll said it again, the fact that Elon Musk still has any admirers is beyond me. This is as scummy as it gets. Just pay the artist dude! It’s that easy! Pay that man his money for his farting unicorn drawing!
It sounds like Elon insists that he’s not gonna do that. Look at how this asshole responded when he got called out for stealing the image of the farting unicorn
Oh really, Elon? Really? Someone else just happened to draw a picture of a farting unicorn and your company used it after you talked about how it was your favorite mug? Got it. That’s super convenient. And how about the part where he says the guys can sue but it’d be “lame” if he did? Uhhhhhh buddy, that’s how this shit works FYI. You use someone’s image without their permission, you put the image in your cars and on your app, you get sued for money. That’s America. Then he pulled the ol’ “this publicity probably increased his mugs sale anyway” That’s not the point! The point is he stole it and now he’s being a dick cause he’s getting called out for it. This guy is the WORST. Seriously, fuck Elon Musk.