Introduction:The newly launched "Mountain Pepper Oil Flavored Spicy Strip" by Tea's Tone has sparked controversy due to its packaging design bearing a striking resemblance to the cover of singer Jonathan Lee’s 2024 album 《Dreamer》. The brand responded that it had not collaborated with Jonathan Lee, and the product in question was urgently taken off shelves on the same day along with an apology, though no official statement was issued. This article details the incident, public reactions, and the brand’s oversight in creative review, helping readers understand the copyright risks involved in packaging design.

On July 17, 2024, a social media post circulated, pointing out that the packaging of Tea's Tone’s latest product, the "Mountain Pepper Oil Flavored Spicy Strip," featured a cartoon character holding an album design that closely resembled the cover of Jonathan Lee’s album 《Dreamer》 released earlier that year. Many netizens suspected it was a collaboration, but after contacting the brand’s customer service, they were informed that there was no partnership between the two parties.

This discovery quickly ignited discussions online. Some netizens argued that even if it was just a creative touch, using a highly similar design without the copyright holder’s authorization could still constitute infringement. Especially when the design is likely to mislead consumers into associating it with a specific music album, it raises further questions about the appropriateness of the commercial act.

As public opinion heated up, a media reporter contacted Tea’s Tone and learned from someone claiming to be an internal employee that the controversial snack had been urgently removed from shelves at 2 PM that same afternoon. Subsequently, the reporter visited multiple Tea’s Tone outlets in Changsha, including the Yezi store on Wuyi Miao Street and the Youyuanhui store in Jiatan New World. Staff at these locations confirmed that the product was no longer on the shelves, with one store noting, “It sold out a couple of days ago and we currently have no stock.”

Not only physical stores, but Tea’s Tone’s official Taobao flagship store also removed the "Mountain Pepper Oil Flavored Spicy Strip" from its listings. Brand customer service responded that they had received consumer feedback and emphasized that they were actively addressing the issue, apologizing for the poor experience caused.

Later that afternoon, the brand issued a further response, admitting to a lack of oversight in the creative review process and offering an apology to the public, while expressing openness to ongoing feedback. However, as of that day, Tea’s Tone had not posted any formal statement or public apology on any of its official social media accounts.

The incident drew attention from many fans and members of the design community. Some believed that perhaps the designer merely intended an homage, but using elements from someone else’s album cover on a commercial product without formal authorization is still inappropriate. Especially when the partnership is not clearly indicated, it can easily lead consumers to assume it is an official collaboration, thereby affecting brand image and posing legal risks.

For readers involved in packaging design or brand marketing, this case serves as a reminder that in the creative process, beyond aesthetics and market appeal, strict control over copyright and authorization procedures is essential to avoid major losses from minor oversights. Particularly in cross-disciplinary inspirations or designs that pay cultural homage, it is advisable to consult legal or copyright professionals in advance to ensure that every design element is compliant and lawful.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.