H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB is withdrawing the lawsuit it filed against a graffiti artist whose work was allegedly used in an H&M promotional video without consent.
"We should have acted differently in our approach to this matter. It was never our intention to set a precedent concerning public art or to influence the debate on the legality of street art," the company said March 16.
According to a report by Women's Wear Daily, Jason "Revok" Williams sent the Swedish apparel retailer a cease and desist letter after he found out about the company's unauthorized use of his street art, but H&M responded with a lawsuit saying Williams has no copyright rights over his work because he committed "illegal acts in connection with the graffiti, including criminal trespass and vandalism to New York City property."
The retailer's move reportedly came after curator and brand consultant Roger Gastman called for an artist-led boycott of H&M on Instagram.
The clothing brand also drew flak earlier this year after it ran an advertisement that was widely deemed racist.
