Artist calls in lawyers after Tories use his Burnham portrait without consent

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Published: 2026-10-05T14:18:23.641Z • Permanent link

Stanley Chow, a Manchester-based illustrator, has found himself at the center of a controversy after the Conservative party used his Burnham portrait without consent. Chow's cartoon, which was originally created for a private event, was allegedly reproduced on water bottles distributed at the party's conference, featuring the slogan 'Bottler Burnham'. The move has sparked outrage among fans of the Labour leader and has led Chow to consider taking legal action against the party. Chow's work has been widely praised for its wit and humor, and he has gained a significant following on social media. His illustrations often tackle topical issues and feature prominent figures, making the use of his work without permission a clear breach of copyright.

The incident has also raised questions about the Conservative party's handling of intellectual property and their willingness to engage with criticism. The party's use of Chow's cartoon was seen as a deliberate attempt to mock Burnham, and the move has been widely condemned by Labour supporters and others who feel that the party is using its power to silence dissent. Chow has stated that he is considering taking legal action against the party, citing the unauthorized use of his work as a clear breach of copyright. The party has yet to comment on the matter, but the incident has sparked a wider debate about the use of intellectual property and the limits of free speech.

The incident has also drawn attention to the growing importance of copyright law in the digital age. As more and more content is created and shared online, the risk of copyright infringement is increasing, and companies and individuals are being forced to take action to protect their intellectual property. Chow's case is likely to be closely watched by others who have had their work used without permission, and it may lead to changes in the way that copyright law is enforced in the future.

The use of Chow's cartoon without consent has significant implications for the Data Sources domain, which relies heavily on visual content and intellectual property. Companies and research communities that use Chow's work without permission are at risk of facing costly lawsuits and damaging reputations. The incident has also raised questions about the value of intellectual property in the digital age, and whether companies are willing to pay fair prices for the use of others' work.

The Data Sources domain is also closely tied to the world of politics and policy-making. The Conservative party's use of Chow's cartoon was seen as a deliberate attempt to mock Burnham, and the move has been widely condemned by Labour supporters and others who feel that the party is using its power to silence dissent. The incident has also drawn attention to the growing importance of copyright law in the digital age, and the need for greater protection for intellectual property.

The use of Chow's cartoon without consent is just the latest incident in a growing pattern of behavior by politicians and companies that disregard intellectual property rights. In recent years, there have been numerous high-profile cases of copyright infringement, including the use of images and music without permission by companies and individuals. The incident has also drawn attention to the growing power of social media, which has created new opportunities for creators to share their work and for companies to use their content without permission.