The Reject Shop Denies Copying UK Artist's Flamingo Egg Cup Design
UK ceramicist Hannah Turner, based in Bradford on Avon, designed a flamingo-shaped egg cup and discovered that The Reject Shop in Australia was selling a near-identical product as part of its Jungle Animal Egg Cup Assorted range for AU$5.
Turner contacted The Reject Shop requesting removal of the goods, proof of who supplied them, and financial compensation. The retailer replied that the email did not establish Australian legal rights but stated it would not import further units as a good-faith gesture. They noted that about 1,350 Flamingo Products remained as of end-January 2026 and would not be re-ordered.
The Reject Shop said it had reviewed Turner's concerns, maintained product compliance, and considered stakeholder feedback, ultimately deciding not to reorder the product.
Australian copyright law automatically protects original works, and as a Berne Convention signatory, Australia provides protection covering the UK. Turner could potentially claim infringement if a substantial part of her work was copied without permission.
Experts explained that establishing infringement hinges on proving that a substantial part of the original work was copied. This threshold is subjective and not clearly defined, making cases like this tricky. Independent intellectual property experts noted that while Turner could potentially claim rights over the printed images on the cups if she can prove authorship, the case is not clear-cut because copyright protects expression rather than ideas, and there are many ways to depict a flamingo.
Turner's prototypes were created in her UK studio, with production done in small batches by a Sri Lankan manufacturer.
