The National NAIDOC Committee says it will take action against the company 1stAustralia, over the sale of NAIDOC Week merchandise featuring artwork from this year's poster.
National NAIDOC Committee co-chair John Paul Janke told NITV News he was 'disgusted' when he found out that the artwork was being used on merchandise like towels, bedding and hoodies.
"Appropriating the artwork is unethical and violates the creative commons terms for use of the NAIDOC poster," he said.
"This is theft.”
The company, which goes by Aussie Life on social media, was advertising NAIDOC Week products featuring this year's artwork from the NAIDOC poster. This is how the NAIDOC Committee found out about these items.
One of the items on the 1stAustralia website featuring the NAIDOC poster artwork Source: 1stAustralia
Mr Janke said the NAIDOC Committee will contact the company with cease and desist orders, and will be taking action against them on behalf of the artist.
He warned people not to purchase items from this site, and instead buy NAIDOC merchandise from Indigenous-owned businesses.
"We’ll also be encouraging people looking to purchase promotional material for NAIDOC Week to support and buy from Indigenous businesses first," said Mr Janke.
Bedding featuring the NAIDOC poster artwork on the 1st Australia site Source: 1stAustralia
"We are asking that people, organisations and corporates do their homework before buying anything online - ask whether the company is Indigenous owned and operated and that it has ethical practices for their designs and artworks."
