Introduction

SINGAPORE – In a shocking turn of events, Mediacorp has disqualified three illustrations from its Design Pompipi competition after discovering that they were submitted by a participant under fraudulent pretenses. The designs, originally created by independent illustrator Lee Xin Li and lifestyle store Supermama, were uploaded to the media company's website without their consent.

Design Pompipi Competition Overview

Launched in December 2024, the Design Pompipi competition invites submissions that celebrate the love for Singapore and reflect on the significance of the Republic's upcoming 60th birthday in 2025. Winning submissions are set to receive a cash prize of $2,000 and Caltex vouchers worth $100, with the chosen designs featured on branded merchandise such as T-shirts, tote bags, and canned drinks.

The Controversy Unfolds

The controversy came to light when a concerned member of the public reported the fraudulent submissions to Mediacorp on January 5. Lee Xin Li addressed the issue on his Facebook page, expressing his frustration over the repeated instances of plagiarism he has faced. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Lee's work has been misappropriated; his intricate illustrations celebrating Singapore have previously been sold on various e-commerce platforms without permission.

Precedents of Plagiarism

In a troubling precedent, Shifu Food Court, located within Bras Basah Complex, offered an apology back in October 2024 after they displayed a wall decal that was a blatant copy of Lee’s work. The prevailing trend of artwork theft raises significant questions about the protection of artistic creations in a digital age.

Mediacorp's Response

Mediacorp has stated that while it aims to conduct thorough vetting of submissions, it acknowledges that "there is no foolproof method to verify if designs were plagiarized or created using AI." The company has implemented policies to disqualify any entries that fall into these categories as they are detected.

Ethical Concerns

The competition's terms and conditions have also come under scrutiny, as they grant Mediacorp absolute ownership rights to all submitted designs, raising ethical questions surrounding the ownership of potentially stolen artwork. Lee argues that this issue deserves public attention, as it impacts the livelihoods of creators.

Discussions on Artistic Rights

Furthermore, discussions surrounding the precarious nature of artistic rights have gained traction, particularly as the use of AI in generating art becomes more prevalent. Many artists and writers feel the growing need for protective measures against the unauthorized use of their work, as there have been reports of AI tools being trained on copyrighted material without consent.

Supermama's Position

Supermama has stated that while they will not pursue legal action regarding this incident, they have taken steps to register their plagiarized design to safeguard it from future theft. "SG60 is a celebratory event, and we want to focus on the positive," they remarked, although their concerns about the integrity of creative work remain.

Conclusion

As conversations around plagiarism, ownership, and the evolving landscape of artistic creation continue, Lee's recent post has sparked nearly 40 comments calling for greater respect and protection of the rights of writers and artists from institutions. This scandal highlights a pressing need for greater accountability and ethical standards in the creative community.