Australian website ripping off young New Zealand artists

A number of young Kiwi artists are angry their work is being ripped off.

Their creative images have been copied and printed onto clothing, shower curtains, and bedspreads.

Even the New Zealand Army crest and a Chiefs rugby jersey have been pinched.

The website selling the products is '1stnewzealand.com' - but it's based in Australia.

An exact image of Ross Murray's print 'Cathedral Cove' is being sold online as a $200 duvet cover.

But it isn't his work - instead it's a crude copy.

"Ahhhh I don't think I do bedspreads - certainly not that bedspread in question," he told Newshub.

The Mount Maunganui-based illustrator known for his pop-imagery was disappointed to find his art had popped up on a website called '1stnewzealand.com' without his permission.

It appears to be based in Australia and sells everything from shower curtains to hoodies and carseat-covers.

"It's basically the same as someone breaking into my house, taking a picture off the wall, going down and selling it at a market," he said.

Murray isn't the only creative whose work is being used without consent. Queenstown-based artist Emma-Kate Moore's art has been turned into pillow cases and Levin-based artist Wiremu Barriball has also had his work copied, along with a number of fellow Maori artists.

"It's obvious these people who are doing the copying, have almost found a network of artists they can sort of harvest material from," Barriball told Newshub.

It doesn't stop at artwork. A 2014 Chiefs Super Rugby jersey appears to have been turned into a hoodie, a dress, a quilt and even suitcase covers.

Meanwhile a special section of the website has 'ANZAC Hoodies', complete with the New Zealand Army Coat of Arms.

Copyright lawyer Matthew Hayes says that could be a breach of the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act which could lead to a $50,000 company fine.

"You've got individual artists here, you've got private enterprises and government agencies that potentially have claims against this website," he told Newshub.

The Defence Force has told Newshub it intends taking action.

But for artists who find their work copied online the advice is to send a letter of demand asking for it to be removed.

Murray did exactly that and got a surprising response.

"They asked me to provide a certificate of registration, as in they were trying to place the onus on me to provide some kind of formal documentation that I created this artwork," he told Newshub.

Hayes says legal action will be expensive.

"The next options become court action, in Australia where this website appears to at least be based from, that's in the federal courts and that can be a difficult and costly process," he said.

For many emerging artists that cost just isn't worth it.

Auckland gallery endemicworld says it's the artists who are starting out that these kinds of websites harm the most.

"Buyers of art can quickly see the difference between that website and the cheapness and the dodgy photoshopping that it's not real, but again it's definitely the younger guys who just, you're trying to build your name and as soon as your art is copied in two seconds you haven't even had a chance," director Elliot Alexander said.

Newshub has called, emailed and messaged 1stnewzealand.com but hasn't had any response.

While Kiwi artists keep fighting to have their copied and modified work taken down from the site, their advice is if you love a piece of art, research it and try to buy from the artist direct.