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Aaron Carter accused of stealing lion art for merch

Carter called the artist a 'd*ck' and said he should have 'taken it as a compliment.'

 

Rachel Kiley

IRL

Posted on Jan 18, 2020   Updated on May 19, 2021, 5:31 pm CDT

Aaron Carter is catching flack online after publicly berating an artist who accused the singer of using his work to promote his clothing line without permission or credit.

On Friday, Carter tweeted out a link to his website, noting that the hoodies he sells are in stock. He attached a beautiful drawing of two lions going head-to-head, which he also made his header photo on Twitter.

“Two lions at war can reach an understanding. I have my lions den, you have yours,” he wrote.

https://twitter.com/aaroncarter/status/1218299209037705216

Eventually, the tweet got around to Jonas Jödicke, who appears to be the original artist and sells prints of the artwork in his Etsy shop.

Jödicke tried to explain to Carter that he needed permission to use his art in such a way.

“You are using my artwork to promote your merchandise,” Jödicke wrote. “I have not given you permission to do so. My art is being commercially exploited by people on a daily basis. We artists have rights, too!”

While a rational person might apologize or offer to credit Jödicke, if not remove the tweet entirely, Carter hasn’t exactly been known for his rational behavior over the last few years.

When he’s not in the tattoo parlor getting Rihanna plastered across his face, he’s having restraining orders slapped on him by family members.

And the “That’s How I Beat Shaq” singer decided this was another moment for a completely inappropriate and over-the-top reaction. He attacked Jödicke for daring to claim any type of ownership over his art.

“You should’ve taken it as a compliment dick a fan of MINE sent this to me,” Carter tweeted. He then appeared to insist he could use the image because it was available to the public and mentioned something nonsensical about small claims court.

https://twitter.com/aaroncarter/status/1218330225425055744

Carter’s tirade didn’t sit well with almost anyone, and people were quick to note the hypocrisy of a musical artist thinking he doesn’t need permission to use someone else’s creative work for his own gain.

“Check out my song ‘Aaron’s Party’ that I just released,” Twitter user @bear_onica sarcastically wrote, referencing Carter’s 2000 single. “A fan gave it to me. Besides, the song has been made public and I’m using it to promote donating to Bernie Sanders. Don’t worry Aaron, it’s mine now, you should be [thanking] me for the compliment.”

https://twitter.com/bear_onica/status/1218584061012258816

https://twitter.com/xDwellerSquadx/status/1218384153462366208

Others pointed out the obvious legal issues with the whole situation.

“That’s not how any of this works,” Twitter user @10ampuddingcups wrote. “And with this tweet and evidence I’m sure you’d lose in court.”

And, strangely enough, it appears this isn’t the first time Carter has allegedly stolen lion artwork.

https://twitter.com/shimhaq/status/1218380224821260289

Jödicke has continued to push back against the use of his work, even saying that a similar situation happened previously with Madonna taking his work.

“I am so fed up with people taking my hard work for their own purposes without even asking,” he tweeted. “If [celebs like Aaron Carter aren’t] held responsible, people won’t stop treating artists like crap.”

Even the face tattoo might have been a better idea than this.

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*First Published: Jan 18, 2020, 3:10 pm CST