I’ve been ripped off again. This time by Walker Underwear from the Philippines. They used my Baybayin font that’s of my personal handwriting their “Extreme Collection:Baybayin”
I noticed it when some celebrity Teejay Marquez posted it on Instagram. I bust my ass traveling the world for free promoting Baybayin and Philippine culture out of my own pocket. This blatant disregard of my work will not be tolerated. I think it’s a great idea for Baybayin underwear but all they had to do was ask.
I’m sure they’ll come back and say our designer did it or it’s the fault of the freelancer. There was no note, we just downloaded it from the internet so we assume it was free. We never heard of you, etc. All lame excuses. If there’s any doubt of the origin of the art, they should know that they have to make an attempt to investigate. In my downloads page, I specifically say that all downloads are for personal use only. The zip file has a text file that also states that the font is for personal use only and has my contact info. Sure, someone could’ve deleted the text file and rezipped it but whoever was in-charge of this project should’ve asked the artist where the art was sourced. Those are questions that need to be asked. Any SMART business would do these things.
My action items:
1) After this post, email Walker wealth_collection@yahoo.com
2) Bring the attention to Walker Underwear on their FB page
3) Bring the attention to Walker Underwear on Twitter twitter.com/WalkerUnderwear
4) Notify the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines via email and their FB page
5) Consult with my business contacts in Manila
6) Consult with Philippine Government contacts in the San Francisco Philippine Consulate
7) As my friends of influence for assistance
8) Ask worldwide community to assist in bringing attention to this matter
What you can do…
1) Post on their FB page
2) Send them a Tweet twitter.com/WalkerUnderwear
I could’ve emailed them 1st but this has gotten out of hand. I understand a small groups of guys and a tshirt company but for a corporation, there’s NO EXCUSE. It’s embarrassing that their line is stated as Pilipino & Proud+.
So at the end of the day, what am I looking for? Is it money? Recognition? Nope, it’s RESPECT FOR ARTISTS! Art makes the world happy, don’t make the world unhappy by forcing artists to quit making art to get a regular job just to make a living. Companies like these are one reason why artists are poor.
This is a bad move for a Philippine company. It make businesses in the US and around the world NOT WANT to do business with a Philippine company due to issues like this.
I demand 1) A public apology and 2) An immediate cease of sales of the underwear or ALL profits go to Gawad Kalinga. Take your pick
Kristian Kabuay 
i’m sorry that they ripped you off. we who know you know this is your stuff. may a thousand camel’s fleas infest the thief’s private parts.
Bring this matter before the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) as well. Expect Walker’s owners to interpose the defense, however, that your work is unprotected, primarily because it is based on Alibata, our ancient Philippine alphabet. You’ll have to emphasize that what Walker had lifted were the textual and other design elements you conceptualized and created, and through which Alibata was uniquely articulated. Focus also on the extent by which these elements were lifted. Best to obtain samples containing these copied/lifted designs. Note, further, that if the IPO finds Walker guilty of infringement, you’ll be entitled to damages and shares from the profits made by Walker from its Baybayin products.
His works is indeed derive from alibata but his font/type face style of alibata is his own style (check the unique brush work) so he is the rightfull owner or creator of the style of alibata.
You should just take legal recourse already. Do not ask for the ceasing of sales… Ask for a percentage of sales and recognition on each item under the Baybayin brand… You should sue for moral damages (citing your outrage and the affront), then punitive damages (so they and other businesses don’t rip off talented and struggling artists again). Write a letter with the intention of going all the way… Your letter should have teeth. Get a good lawyer you can trust… God bless. P.S. I like your work. You deserve credit for it. In the near future, get a manager / agent to protect you, too. Oh, and by the way, have a chronicle of your promotional efforts and expenses ready for your defense… It is important to emphasize that you personally spent on promoting the concept and helped to make it popular, thereby actually creating (or aiding in the creation of) the market they are targeting with their products… In all of this – appeal to their goodness first, it might be easier to solve if you show you-re willing to work with them since the damage has already been done… But show you that you are not without gumption and resolve.
G. Kristian,
gabayan ka ng PANGINOON at MAPAGTAGUMPAYAN MO nawa ang LABAN MONG ITO!!!
ugh! >__<
despicable.
As an artist myself, I do understand were you're coming from.
But anyway, you really should take some legal action on this.
Not cool! Take some legal action on this one.. this should be justified!
Wag mag inarte. Nag ddownload ka nga ng mga torrents, di sila nagrereklamo. Wag ka na umeksena.
Mali, anti torrents ako
So you’re saying… Ikaw ang nag simula ng Baybayin?
Nope
I am all against stealing, infringement… I just wanna know what part of this is yours.
The Baybayin text
The danger here is when you lose this battle and walker sues back.
Are the script yours? Did they copy some of your works? If they did and you have proof.. then lets fight this.
They have no grounds to sue me. For what? Calling them out for stealing my art? Lying about them stealing from me?
Yes, the Baybayin art is mine. I have documentation that I created that character set style based on my personal handwriting. I’ve shown my art and lectured around the world. This specific style has been licensed by multiple organizations.
Dang! The ones they’re using now?
Yes, in their Baybayin: Extreme Collection. The script in the marketing posters is mine as well
If the designs they’re using now are yours.. Then Lets fight this battle.
Yep, I’ve already been communicating with their lawyers. Just waiting for their response
Does your font have a registered copyright? The reason I ask is because, yes, original designs are automatically protected through common law copyright, but that only covers getting you paid for damages and profits earned by Walker. It doesn’t cover your legal defenses. If they’re copyrighted, then your legal defense expenses will be covered as well (assuming you win). Companies like this prey on independent artists like yourself, and depend on the assumption you haven’t copyrighted your work, and therefore you’ll decide against going through the insanely expensive legal hurdles of fighting them. It’s sad, and it happens all the time.
So sorry to hear this has happened to you. Hope someone will take your case pro-bono, if you haven’t registered a copyright for your typeface.
I’m working with a lawyer 🙂
any update with walker Philippines?
They wanted to settle but I disagreed with the terms. I’m waiting for them to reply back. Thanks for asking
any update with the case?
Oh this is so disappointing to hear. What is the current situation, sir? Any updates?
Talking to their lawyers about a settlement and theirs stupid terms
It’s been quite sometime now. Any updates?
They offered a settlement but wanted me to delete all my blog and social media posts. I declined and currently waiting for them to come back
Have they offered alternate terms for settlement? That sucks. I’m with you on this. Godspeed!
I feel your pain. There’s a new liquor company in the Philippines who stole the name of the brand and the idea from my website. I spent so much time and money to come up with it just to be taken away like it was theirs. I got weak in the knees when I saw their product and website.