- Street artist Ernest Zacharevic has initiated legal proceedings against AirAsia and its holding company, Capital A Berhad, in the Kuala Lumpur high court.
- The lawsuit claims AirAsia reproduced his prominent 2012 mural, Kids on Bicycle, on the livery of a commercial aircraft and utilised it in various marketing campaigns without his consent.
- Zacharevic became aware of his artwork on an AirAsia plane in October 2024, prompting initial discussions with the airline, which have since concluded.
- He is alleging copyright and moral rights infringement, passing off, and unlawful interference with his trade, noting previous instances of unauthorised use dating back to 2016.
- Beyond financial redress, Zacharevic is seeking legal affirmation of artists' control over the commercialisation of their creations and fair remuneration when corporate entities profit from their work.
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