Singapore’s creative community calls for stronger protections against plagiarism and AI-related misuse
Mediacorp disqualified three designs from its Design Pompipi competition after allegations of plagiarism surfaced. The incident, involving renowned illustrator Lee Xin Li and Supermama, has reignited discussions on safeguarding intellectual property and artist rights.
Launched in December 2024, the Design Pompipi competition invited public submissions celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday in 2025. The winners were promised cash prizes, Caltex vouchers, and features on merchandise. However, the competition faced backlash after three plagiarised entries were discovered and removed on January 5, 2025.
Plagiarised Designs Spark Controversy
Illustrator Lee Xin Li and lifestyle store Supermama discovered their designs submitted without consent by an entrant under the name Sabiyathul. While neither took immediate legal action, Lee publicly highlighted the issue on Facebook.
Mediacorp’s Vetting Process Questioned
Mediacorp acknowledged the lack of a foolproof system to detect plagiarised or AI-generated submissions. The company pledged to disqualify fraudulent entries as they are identified.
Ongoing Challenges for Artists
Lee’s work, including a commissioned mural at the National Library, has been repeatedly pirated. In October 2024, a Bras Basah food court apologised for plagiarising his designs, underscoring the widespread issue of art theft.
Debate Over Competition Terms
The incident has raised concerns about Mediacorp’s terms granting ownership rights over submitted designs. Lee questioned whether organisers retain rights to plagiarised work and urged greater transparency for artists and the public.
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Broader Implications for Creativity
Both artists and writers are increasingly vulnerable as their work is used to train AI tools. This latest controversy has amplified calls for institutions to respect and protect creative contributions.
This case highlights the need for stronger safeguards for intellectual property and fair terms in competitions. International visitors gain insight into the challenges faced by Singapore’s artistic community, reinforcing the importance of ethical standards in creative industries.
Mediacorp disqualified three plagiarised entries from its Design Pompipi competition, reigniting debates on intellectual property and artist rights. The case, involving illustrator Lee Xin Li, underscores the challenges of plagiarism and AI misuse in Singapore’s creative landscape.
Source: TNP (2025)
Keywords: Mediacorp Disqualification, Plagiarised Designs, Artist Rights Debate
