It was February of last year when it emerged that Jeremy Scott had clearly and un-regrettably ripped off the work of the legend that is Jim Phillips.
Read how justice (predominantly and eventually) prevailed below the image. Jeremy Scott you are a fool and you will never be invited round for tea, regardless of the blend!
The rip off:
This is the official statement released by Robert A. Denike, CEO and President of NHS, Inc./Santa Cruz Skateboards:
“We had never heard of Jeremy Scott until it was brought to our attention. This is not a collaboration or under license, nor did we or the Phillips family approve the use of this artwork on his apparel designs in any way.
It’s obvious to us, the Phillips family, the fans of Jim Phillips Sr. and Jimbo Phillips, and fans of the brand Santa Cruz Skateboards, as well as many in the global skateboard and skate art community that there is clear and obvious infringement by Mr. Scott. We are discussing this with our legal team to determine our next steps.
These two artists and this brand are iconic. Any true fan of skateboarding will tell you how the Phillips artwork style, this brand and the activity of skateboarding has positively influenced their lives. It may just be artwork to Mr. Scott, to be used and thrown away by next season, but these artists and brand mean a lot to many people around the world. And by the looks of the outcry on social media, skateboarders and non-skater’s alike are angry to have two of their most favored artists and one of the original true skateboard brands violated in such a way.
I hope that Mr. Scott sees that his actions have hurt and affected many people, including the Phillips family, and that he has also severely damaged his own reputation. It is not too late for him to do the right thing, as an artist and creative person, and fix his error in judgement.”
Jeremy Scott issued the following statement:
“I regret that certain pieces of my February 2013 Fall Winter fashion line incorporated imagery that was similar to images owned by NHS and Messrs. Phillips. I now recognize my mistake and out of respect to their work and their rights, the clothing and handbags at issue will not be produced or distributed.” Bob Denike on the settlement: “We have to protect our intellectual property and trademarks, copyrights and brands and we have to stand behind our artists and skateboarders. Jeremy Scott admits to what he did and agreed to have all the items retrieved and destroyed. He states that in a press release, and I do not think that was easy for him to agree to do.” On the question whether or not there was also a financial compensation in place Denike responds: “No comment on the financial aspects of the settlement.”
Robert A. Denike
“I do not believe in the idea that any publicity is good publicity. There was a lot of interest in this issue, but we do not need this type of PR to help grow our brands. It was actually quite damaging to us. We don’t want to be associated with Scott.”
“We have a successful licensing division at NHS. We are active Licensors and Licensees, licensing apparel around the world and also collaborating with brands like Converse, Vans, DaKine, The Simpsons, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Levi’s to name just a few. We also work closely with artists such as Todd Bratrud , Jay Howell, Funeral French, Munk One, Skinner, Jeremy Fish, Dirty Donnie, Florian Bertmer, Mike Giant, Travis Milliard, Adam Barton and Neckface. But if Scott contacted us before this infringement, it would not have passed the first round to be considered as collaboration. Like I said, we do not want to be associated with Scott and what he represents.”
