Legal Dispute Over the London Museum's New Visual Identity
Introduction
The London Museum is currently facing accusations of plagiarism from Manchester-based designers Michael Wild and Rebecca May regarding the institution's new corporate logo.
Main Body
The dispute focuses on a logo that features a white pigeon next to a golden representation of bird droppings. The owners of May Wild Studio claim that this image is very similar to their own 'coo bird' and 'golden coo pu' design. They assert that they created this work in 2012 and later presented it at the 2018 London Design Festival, noting that their work has been documented on social media and in public exhibitions for several years. In contrast, the London Museum and the creative agency Uncommon insist that the logo was created through an independent process involving London residents. The institution has formally rejected the claims of plagiarism, emphasizing that any similarities between the two designs are simply a coincidence. Furthermore, the designers argue that the museum's director, Sharon Ament, used a theme of 'grit and glitter' during the July 2024 launch, which they claim mirrors the original idea of their own work. After the logo was released, other curators and creative professionals pointed out these similarities to the designers. Because mediation efforts by the organization Anti Copying in Design (ACID) failed, May Wild Studio is now seeking legal advice. ACID criticized the situation, stating that it shows the difficulties independent creators face when their work resembles high-profile public projects.
Conclusion
The two parties have reached a deadlock, with the designers pursuing legal action while the London Museum continues to maintain that its visual identity is original.