If you remember, back in 2022, TikTok user Andrew Martin @monstercaesarstudios posted a video detailing how Disney allegedly stole his fan 3-D model for one of the Enchanted Tiki Room drummers.
Martin had done a fan-art rendering of the character from the attraction, which he put up for use by other fans under a non-commercial use Creative Commons license back in 2018 or 2019. He was very surprised to see his artwork not being sold by Disney as a Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary statue. Instead of him receiving credit, the art was credited to Costa Alevezos. Alevezos was then listed as a “Product Design Manager” for the Walt Disney Company for almost six years.
Andrew Martin did a few videos showing how the art was the same down to the “cuts” in the design.
He has posted an update video to TikTok, but given the situation with TikTok it is unclear how long it will remain up.
@monstercaesarstudios Disney stole my artwork – update after 2 1/2 years #disney #disneystolemyart #disneytheft #tikitikidrummer ♬ original sound – Andrew Martin – Sculptor/VA
Did Martin ever get credit or compensation from Disney?
According to the artist, he did not get credit or compensation from Disney. Disney did initially remove the item from the online store, and then Alevezos hid his social media. Now his social media is back up under a spelling change to Kosta Alevezos.
I wish I were kidding. But we know he is no longer with the Walt Disney Company, but he claims he retired.
Since his videos, he has made a trip to Disneyland, where he posted video evidence of the statue still being for sale, credited to Costa Alevezos.
He further went on to explain that he had messaged Alevezos, his manager, and the person above them about the situation and never received any response. However, he was told that people working in the department were told not to speak of it. I believe this, as we have also been told that mandates not to talk to us or other YouTubers had been given to people in another situation.
Maybe it just looked like his work?
Yeah, no, it was practically exact. My husband and I are both artists, and I have a degree in art education. He has more than proven that the work was the same, except the alleged thief removed Martin’s name from the base of the design and did little else to alter it.
I circled a few areas to compare, but any basic comparison shows it is likely the same artist.
So Disney is allegedly fully aware that this was a copy of another artist’s work, and they didn’t fix it or care, other than to try to cover up their mistake.
Martin did not sue because he rightfully pointed out that it wasn’t worth the cost. Disney will stall in court and run people out of money instead of admitting they messed up. If they wanted to make it right the proper way, they could have done so by now, but instead, they chose to ignore it and carry on.
Is this the new Disney difference?
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
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