Artist Andrew Small to sue Sunderland AFC over away kit design
Artist Andrew Small is planning legal action against Sunderland AFC, claiming the Premier League club's 2025-26 away kit, manufactured by Hummel, features a pattern derived from his sculpture 'C' without permission. The sculpture, commissioned by Sunderland City Council in 2008, marks the end of the Sea to Sea cycle path and consists of a six-and-a-half-tonne black granite slab with an aperture framing Roker Lighthouse. Small retained copyright under his agreement with the council. The kit's repeating geometric pattern shows the lighthouse through a circular design resembling the sculpture's aperture. Sunderland has denied copyright infringement, stating 'there is no copyright in ideas and concepts.' Small, represented by barrister Francis McEntegart, seeks a percentage of commercial sales or damages. The club has not responded to a BBC request for comment.
Key facts
- Andrew Small is an artist from Liverpool.
- Small created the sculpture 'C' in 2008 for Sunderland City Council.
- The sculpture marks the end of the Sea to Sea cycle path from Whitehaven to Sunderland.
- The sculpture is a six-and-a-half-tonne slab of black granite with an aperture framing Roker Lighthouse.
- Small retained copyright for the sculpture under his agreement with the council.
- Sunderland AFC's 2025-26 away kit, made by Hummel, features a pattern based on the sculpture.
- The club claims the kit was inspired by its 1989-1991 away kit, referencing Roker Park.
- Small's barrister Francis McEntegart sent a cease and desist letter seeking compensation.
Entities
Artists
- Andrew Small
Institutions
- Sunderland AFC
- Sunderland City Council
- Hummel
- BBC
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
- Halewood Station
- Lancashire Police
Locations
- Liverpool
- Sunderland
- Whitehaven
- Roker Lighthouse
- Roker Park
- Merseyside