Thai graphic designer seeks THB1,000,000 in damages over unauthorized use of his logo

A Thai graphic designer has filed a lawsuit seeking THB1,000,000 (US$27,600) in damages against the Pencak Silat Association for allegedly copying his famous logo on uniforms worn at the SEA Games – but may not be fully compensated.

Sucharn “Buk” Chaweewan revealed Tuesday evening that he had filed the lawsuit against the Pencak Silat Association of Thailand for using his popular Thailand typeface font, known for being readable both in Thai and English, on their team’s SEA game uniforms without permission.

However, he was told by the martial arts association that they could only pay THB50,000 to THB100,000.

“If they don’t consider what I proposed, I would like to use the right to let the legal justice system help decide,” he responded on Facebook. “Whatever the outcome is, I want the legal authorities to help consider. At least I hope it will be one of the copyright case studies for the Thai design industry.”

Sucharn said that he decided to file the lawsuit, after discussing it with the intellectual property department, as he felt it was “personally unfair”. He previously clarified that the font design was under copyright protection and recognized by a certificate from the intellectual property department.

He said he believed he deserved that amount of compensation because such designs are a product of talent and one’s own creativity, with such fonts having distinct value on their own. He also mentioned that the logo was used inappropriately in areas where there should be greater awareness of such issues, such as the SEA Games.

The graphic designer caught wind of the copyright infringement in May when the Thai Pencak Silat team won the gold at 31st SEA Games. The team issued a letter of apology after Sucharn’s complaint, claiming it was a “misunderstanding behind the designers of their jerseys.” The team now sports jerseys with a less stylish font. 

Sucharn’s Thailand design, created in 2021, went viral in January due to its unique lettering.

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