This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-23226366

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Freddie Mercury Norwich gorilla in copyright row Freddie Mercury Norwich Go Go Gorilla in copyright row
(35 minutes later)
A gorilla sculpture painted as Freddie Mercury must be moved because it infringes copyright. A gorilla sculpture painted as Freddie Mercury has been removed because it infringes copyright.
Organisers of Go Go Gorillas, a public art trail in Norwich, were contacted by Mercury Phoenix Trust, an Aids charity set up in memory of the Queen singer who died in 1991. Organisers of Go Go Gorillas, a conservation art trail in Norwich, were contacted by Mercury Phoenix Trust, an Aids charity set up in memory of the Queen singer who died in 1991.
The charity claimed the suit the gorilla is wearing breaches copyright.The charity claimed the suit the gorilla is wearing breaches copyright.
It asked that the sculpture, called Freddie "Radio Go Go" Gorilla, be removed and repainted.It asked that the sculpture, called Freddie "Radio Go Go" Gorilla, be removed and repainted.
The sculpture, which stands on Millennium Plain outside The Forum, was painted by Mik Richardson. The sculpture, which stood on Millennium Plain outside The Forum, was painted by Mik Richardson.
It is one of 53 life-size gorillas decorated by artists and displayed in a conservation art trail on the streets of Norwich over the summer.
'Dreadful and petty''Dreadful and petty'
Mr Richardson, 50, of Aylsham, Norfolk, said the decision was to order its removal was "absolutely shocking". Mr Richardson, 50, of Aylsham, Norfolk, said the decision to order its removal was "absolutely shocking".
He said: "It's dreadful. It's petty, really. The night I was told I couldn't sleep."He said: "It's dreadful. It's petty, really. The night I was told I couldn't sleep."
Mr Richardson was paid £800 to design and paint the gorilla, which took him three days.Mr Richardson was paid £800 to design and paint the gorilla, which took him three days.
"I'm a mural artist and I have to be very careful about copyright," he said."I'm a mural artist and I have to be very careful about copyright," he said.
"I didn't copy the suit exactly. I alter enough so that it's fan art, rather than a copy of it."I didn't copy the suit exactly. I alter enough so that it's fan art, rather than a copy of it.
Mercury Phoenix Trust contacted Wild in Art, the company that created the trail, according to director Charlie Langhorne. The "Radio Go Go" gorilla is one of 53 life-size gorillas decorated by Norfolk artists and displayed on the streets of Norwich over the summer.
An additional 67 baby gorillas, painted by more than 60 local schools, made the public art trail the largest of its kind in England this summer.
Mercury Phoenix Trust contacted Wild in Art, the company that supplied the gorilla glass-fibre canvases, according to director Charlie Langhorne.
"They just said that they own the copyright on the suit and asked us to change it," Mr Langhorne said."They just said that they own the copyright on the suit and asked us to change it," Mr Langhorne said.
"That's being sorted. To save any bother we will change it."That's being sorted. To save any bother we will change it.
"We do quite a few bits and pieces for them but it's no great shakes."We do quite a few bits and pieces for them but it's no great shakes.
"We would rather not have to do it but it's not the end of the world.""We would rather not have to do it but it's not the end of the world."
'Enjoy a gorilla''Enjoy a gorilla'
He said the gorilla would be removed and repainted with a "new and exciting design" and should be back in place within 10 days. He said the gorilla would be repainted with a "new and exciting design" and should be back in place within 10 days.
"People in Norwich will have a new gorilla to enjoy soon," he said."People in Norwich will have a new gorilla to enjoy soon," he said.
Martin Green of Break, one of two charities that will benefit from the auction of the gorillas once the exhibition is over, said: "It's a disappointing position they have put us in.Martin Green of Break, one of two charities that will benefit from the auction of the gorillas once the exhibition is over, said: "It's a disappointing position they have put us in.
"This is a charity and everything we have done was with good intention. Our hands are tied." "Freddie is one of our most popular gorillas on the trail and now we've got to remove him from the streets, but we're respecting the wishes of another charity.
"It's a sad story, but the positive news is that we'll end up with another gorilla on the streets."
Mercury Phoenix Trust was unavailable for comment.Mercury Phoenix Trust was unavailable for comment.