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Artist Stanley Chow says he is taking legal advice over Tory conference Burnham water bottles

Illustrator Stanley Chow says the Conservatives used his Andy Burnham cartoon without permission on conference water bottles and sweets, and that he is seeking legal advice. The party says the items were only given to media in goody bags.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: Metro
Image: BBC News

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow says he is taking legal advice after accusing the Conservative Party of using his cartoon image of Andy Burnham at its party conference in Birmingham without permission. Mixed · 2Water bottles featuring the image were labelled "Bottler Burnham", "0% strength", and Metro reports that a small tub of sweets named 'Andy Panders' People Pleaser Pick N Mix' also carried a picture of the prime minister heavily reminiscent of Chow's artwork, with subtle changes such as lengthened eyelashes. Mixed · 2A Conservative Party spokeswoman said the bottles were not on sale and were merely handed out to attending media in "goody bags".

Mixed · 2Chow, a Labour supporter who created the portrait for Burnham's 2021 Greater Manchester mayoral campaign, said he was "stunned and angry", called the move "childish" and said it was copyright infringement whatever one's political allegiance. Left · 1He told the Manchester Evening News, as quoted by Metro, that he had licensed the image to the Labour Party, which was entitled to use it, and that the Conservatives had not taken his intellectual property rights into consideration. Centre · 1Chow said he wants to raise awareness that artists cannot have their work taken and used freely, and to show other artists they can make a stand at a time when they are struggling because of AI and the cost of living.

Mixed · 2Both outlets note that Chow previously objected to Reform UK's use of the image in AI-generated social media posts; Reform said it removed the posts "in good faith and without any admission of liability", and Metro adds that Chow says he took legal action against the party. Left · 1Metro adds that Burnham, now prime minister, has used the cartoon frequently, including as his X profile picture and in his Makerfield by-election campaign, and that the conference began on Sunday with a speech from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Light, mocking conference-freebie story with the artist 'lashing out'; adds detail on the sweets, Burnham's past use of the cartoon and the goody bag contents.
Emphasis
The sweets, Burnham's past use of the cartoon, Chow's licensing to Labour and past action against Reform.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not include the Conservative spokeswoman's response that the bottles were not on sale.
Charged language
“lashed out”
For example
“The artist behind a well-known cartoon of Andy Burnham has lashed out at the Conservatives” — Metro

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Straight copyright dispute led by the artist's legal advice, with the Conservative response included.
Emphasis
Chow's quotes on copyright and artists' rights, the party's reply, and his background as a football illustrator.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the sweets or Burnham's earlier use of the cartoon, or Chow's licensing to Labour.
For example
“A Conservative Party spokeswoman said the bottles were were not on sale and merely handed out to attending media in "goody bags".” — BBC News

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.