Read a very interesting post this morning by way of the design blog Brand New in regards to the new identity of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology which was designed by Pentagram partner (and rockstar designer) Michael Beruit. The design is fine, whatever. The point of contention comes from the fact that the icon is basically copied from the artwork of artist Charley Harper an artist that Beruit admits to admiring.
It’s a very interesting question, exactly at what point is something in the design and art world considered trademark and artwork infringement? Google “logos that look the same” and you’ll come up with 100s of hits but what about logos that look like illustrations? It’s more than anything an interesting philosophical and legal question that, as more and more work gets produced, we may see more and more.