In yesterday's post we looked at punishment in the digital age, but let's return to the tangible world today and to more ordinary "fashion crimes", such as copyright infringements.
When wandering the bustling streets of Taipei, particularly the vibrant street markets, you'll probably come across intriguing instances of copyright infringements.
One particularly popular item at the moment is a sweater that takes inspiration from the well-known "I miss Anthony Bourdain" T-shirts found online, also on platforms like Etsy. These garments pay homage to the late American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian who sadly passed away in 2018.
However, in Taipei, a twist in this trend emerges: "I miss Anthont Bourdain" (as observed at Shilin Night Market – check out the other copyright infringement in this picture, the Loewe straw hat on the dummy – and also spotted in a shop in Ximending – both are well-known areas for street fashion and stalls). This creative "adaptation" serves as a means to sidestep copyright infringement by altering the name from "Anthony" to "Anthont."
The unofficial "I miss Anthony Bourdain" T-shirts themselves sold online fall into the copyright infringement category, as they lack the official authorization of the late chef's family. But here we encounter a quirky method to navigate the inherent challenges of bootleg merchandise by changing one letter in a person's name. In some ways, it's almost comical, if not for the underlying sadness, given Anthony Bourdain's tragic passing.
In his series "The Layover" (Season 2) Bourdain spent three days in Taipei, exploring local cuisine and visiting landmarks like Keelung Night Market and Raohe Night Market. In a peculiar way, this tribute to him, albeit unconventional and copyright infringing, might have earned a knowing smirk from the late chef himself.
