OPEN YOUR EYES
BUDGET TALK
No matter where you turned this week, it seemed everyone was talking about money. page 2
Are you prepared to make personal property collateral for business loans? page 10
STAYING HEALTHY
Dreading your kids getting sick this winter? Here’s some tips for keeping them healthy. page 13
MAY 11 2012 ISSUE 87
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Taking on Madonna Fresh faces: Marrickville welcomes new police
Dulwich Hill artist just wants to protect his artwork
Fresh from graduating last week, five new faces have joined the local ranks. page 5
BY LOUISE BOURKE
T Old man: Award-winning theatre in Newtown Acclaimed actor, Leon Ford, leads a talented cast at the page 16 Belvoir St Theatre.
Tiger talent: Teen side makes big impact The SG Ball rugby league side have been crowned page 22 season winners.
he Dulwich Hill artist who plans to sue Madonna for using a symbol he created in her new perfume advertisements says he is not interested in making money from it – he just wants to protect his work. RJ Williams, a well-known street artist, objects to the global pop star using his symbol to sell perfume, saying the symbol is “for everyone”. “I’m the original owner, but I’ve shared the symbol in the community,” he explained. “Here in Dulwich Hill, the local school kids have it all over their school bags and books.” Mr Williams said the design, which he fi rst created eight years ago, stands for ‘Th redbo Massive’ after a group of friends. It has featured in street art and magazines right around the world. “It would be a bit of a stretch to say [Madonna] hadn’t seen it before she used it,” he said. Mr Williams only found out the symbol was being used to market Madonna’s product two weeks ago when his London-based ex-girlfriend saw it on billboards. “She texted me and said, have a look at this, and I couldn’t believe it. I then did some research into my
Well known street artist, RJ William, with his trademarked symbol. [Photo: Rachel Murdolo]
rights as creator,” he said. Mr Williams, who has trademarked the design, has not heard from Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary, after writing to him last
week. Since the story broke on Sunday, Mr Williams has been fi elding calls from media in Australia, the United States and India and still
can’t believe he’s at the centre of an international story. What’s your view? Email louise. b ou rke@i n nerc it y w e ekender. com.au.
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