Photo By G

I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it many times again before I shuffle off this mortal coil, that certain degrees of stealing are easily just as bad as murder. It’s pretty crazy that in the same week we saw Shepard Fairey acquitted of copyright infringement, we have a sort of “reverse appropriation” in a situation that was just brought to my attention by Geoffrey of According2G.com. As Geoffrey reports, the offense is quite flagrant and heinous.

The matter concerns the  iconic “Beware of Hipsters” image created by street artist Cali Killa, which has appeared on the streets of major US cities in including Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and New York, as well as being featured on many art sites, including According2G.com. Without seeking Cali Killa’s approval or permission, or making any kind of remunerative deal, Urban Outfitters is now selling a line of “Beware of Hipsters” T-shirts bearing Cali’s original graphic (Click Here to see the shirt)! What a bunch of dicks! Cali Killa will not see any income from sale of these T-shirts and that is just not right!

Until Urban Outfitters rights the wrong, Geoffrey and I are asking you all to boycott Urban Outfitters! If any legal experts can help out, please get in touch! If anyone knows Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk, please get in touch. Please Tweet about this, post this information on Facebook and forward to as many art blogs and media sites as you can. We cannot let Urban Outfitters get away with this! Please forward this information to everyone you can and boycott Urban Outfitters for STEALING the art work of Cali Killa.

Update 1/14/11:

Just Added this Side By Side Comparison Image From Hyper Allergic Dot Com

Update Saturday 1/15/11:

Urban Outfitters has removed the shirt from their catalog! Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word!