Video screenshot via Marvel Entertainment
Most people would be familiar with the Loki personified in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Tom Hiddleston. For others, Loki is a Norse deity worshipped by many for centuries.
So when artists received copyright claims for creating imagery and merchandise inspired by the shape-shifting god, they were appalled. A notice shared by Twitter user @YourBoswell from print-on-demand marketplace Redbubble suggests that Disney Enterprises, Inc. could be clamping down even on artwork unrelated to the Marvel Studios version of the mythical trickster.
Redbubble detailed that the artwork had to be taken down as it “may contain material that violates someone’s rights,” based on “guidance” from Disney “describing the type of content they consider infringing that should be removed from the marketplace.”
The fan art being flagged is entitled Low Key Loki, and features the punning phrase “Low Key” in green letters.
The creator said the listing had been up on the marketplace for years, intended as a product for cosplaying purposes. He added that the typographical piece’s shade and font were deliberately selected to avoid copyright infringement claims, “but I guess with the success of the show, they’re cracking down.”
It remains to be seen if this particular takedown order was issued by Disney or is simply a preemptive measure by Redbubble in light of the release of Disney+’s Loki series.
The marketplace explained in its email, “In most cases, this means that the rights holder did not specifically identify your work for removal, but that Redbubble has detected potential similarity between your removed work and one or more words, phrases or images included in the rights holder’s removal guidance.”
Nevertheless, followers of the non-Disney Loki are balking at this act of mischief. “So not even mythology Loki is allowed [because] Disney owns that too, apparently… It’s ridiculous that I enjoy their movies and series so much,” one Twitter user wrote. “Just want to warn all my occultists out there that Disney is coming for anything that has to do with Loki, who is still worshipped as a deity by many of us. Not only that, but the phrase ‘low key,’ apparently,” said another.
The artist said he intends to file an appeal for the removal of the graphic.
What the fuck????? pic.twitter.com/uN7vL2XYHr
— 🔞🏳️🌈Loki’s Buttslut🏳️⚧️⭕️🔞 (@YourBoswell) June 17, 2021
It’s been up for years and it’s a comic reference, simple text art I made for cosplays. I even made sure the color and font were different
But I guess with the success of the show they’re cracking down. I’m gonna appeal it when I’m more awake. If I change the name, maybe.
— 🔞🏳️🌈Loki’s Buttslut🏳️⚧️⭕️🔞 (@YourBoswell) June 18, 2021
This is a pretty terrible take.
Loki’s been written about since the 1220’s . And Loki is a deity I work with.
Disney is just a parasite.
— Josh Conway did the #Moderna and still SigInts! (@CrankyLinuxUser) June 18, 2021
Ah yes, disney, the owner of the norse gods 😀 https://t.co/vR6M5mbDX6
— maven | 🌘🌈🍖🦋🏳️🌈 LOKI SPOILERS (@darkalinas) June 19, 2021
Disney thinks they can copyright someone’s culture now. 21st century colonialism right there.
— #CancelRent Völva (@SignyTheSage) June 19, 2021
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