The Tokyo 2020 Olympics logo has been ditched following accusations of plagiarism by designer Kenjiro Sano.
Since unveiling his logo design for the Toyko 2020 Olympics in July, Sano has repeatedly denied claims that he copied the design from an emblem for the Théâtre de Liègea (opens in new tab) in Belgium, by Studio Debi founder Olivier Debie.
The similarities between the two designs have been widely discussed online. Studio Debi stoked the debate with a mock-up showing the two logos side-by-side (opens in new tab), which it posted on Facebook [above].
However, it wasn't until new allegations of plagiarism arose – this time that Sano used other images without permission during the presentation of the logo, including at its official launch – that organisers finally pulled the plug.
According to the Guardian (opens in new tab), local media report that Sano allegedly presented his original logo using a photograph from a website without permission.
While Sano has defended his Olympic logo, his claims have been undermined by past allegations of plagiarism, and Debie is due to begin legal action against the use of the logo this September.
Tokyo 2020 organisers must now commission a new design.
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