13 Sep Intellectual property purloined for vapor ware

As reported by Waatea News.

Kaupapa Māori health promotion agency Toi Tangata is angry a UK-based company has used some of its imagery to give a Māori flavour to a vape kit.

Chief executive Megan Tunks says while vape developer Acapella Harrison may have Māori whakapapa, he and his company Acapella Mod Co or AMC have no right to reach across the world to steal a logo for its Haka Legend Kit.

The logo was designed in 2013 by Tutere Rangihaeata when Toi Tangata changed its name from Te Hotu Manawa Māori, and signifies some of the health concepts the roopu stands for.

“Vaping is recommended here for people who want to give up smoking, so they are smokers and it is seen as something that can help them give up, but at the end of the day a vaping device is not healthy,” Ms Tunks says.

Toi Tangata has asked Mr Harrison to voluntarily remove the logo from the device and to not produce any other products that have Māori tohu.

Listen to Toi Tangata CEO, Megan Tunks’ interview here