Sorrowbe creators could be in for a sorry time over lookalike

THE MYSTERY creators of the Commonwealth Games mascot lookalike, ‘Sorrowbe’ could be in for more than a copyright battle, experts say.

The Borobi copycat, which surfaced as part of a guerrilla protest movement, could run the risk of a a civil suit under special Commonwealth Games laws, as the official Borobi image is protected, intellectual property firm Davies Collison Cave Law senior associate Liz Lawson said.

“This means that someone can’t use the Borobi image, or an image which is deceptively similar to it, for an advertising, marketing or promotional purpose regardless of whether the use is for commercial gain,” Ms Lawson said. “If Sorrowbe was considered deceptively similar to Borobi, the creator could face fines and civil action.”

The placement of the images in Games event areas could lead to further fines.

“If the Sorrowbe poster has been erected in any of the ‘major event areas’, the creator of Sorrowbe could be fined and directed to take down the posters by GOLDOC on the basis that the distribution of documents within a major event area is not allowed,” Ms Lawson said.

Coomera Conservation Group which was developed in response to impacts on the East Coomera koala population said they had had no involvement with the stickers, yet believed it was a positive way to raise the profile of the issue.

“We see Borobi as a positive thing, and a celebration of koalas in the area,” president Karina Waterman said. “It is a really great way to vocalise displeasure about the situation and promote koala habitats.”

GOLDOC said they were aware of the posters and supported koala conservation.

“Sales of Borobi plush toys contribute to the costs of koala treatment and rehabilitation services at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital,” a spokesman said. “A percentage of funding from sales also helps towards educating the community on habitat conservation and protection.”