A long-standing controversy surrounding Disney’s alleged theft of an independent artist’s work has resurfaced after new updates were revealed. Sculptor Andrew Martin, also known as “Monster Caesar,” has once again spoken out against the entertainment giant for using his artwork without permission.
Background of the Case
The issue dates back to February 2022, when Martin discovered that a fan art model he had sculpted in 2018—depicting the Tiki Drummer from Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room—was used by Disney to create a music box celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. The product was officially credited to former Disney product design manager Costa Alavezos, who had been with the company for over 25 years. However, Martin claims that Alavezos did not create the piece but instead directly copied Martin’s model, removing his name and presenting it as original work.
Upon discovering the music box, Martin purchased one from a reseller on eBay for $230 to investigate the claims further. After conducting a detailed 3D scan, he confirmed that the sculpt matched his original model exactly—down to the smallest scratch and detail, with only his name removed.
Intellectual Property Misconceptions
A common misconception regarding fan art is that Disney automatically owns all artwork based on its intellectual properties. However, Martin clarifies that, under U.S. copyright law, the creator of fan art retains the copyright to their work. While companies like Disney can issue cease-and-desist orders to prevent unauthorized use, they cannot claim ownership over the derivative artwork without the artist’s consent. Martin had released his model on Thingiverse under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial license, meaning it could be used freely for personal use but not for commercial purposes—a restriction Disney allegedly ignored.
Disney’s Response—or Lack Thereof
Since raising the issue publicly, Martin has reached out to multiple Disney executives, including the senior design manager, director of product development, and vice president of production design. Despite his efforts, he has yet to receive a response from any of them. Journalists who have covered the story have similarly been met with silence from Disney.
Adding to the controversy, sources within Disney have claimed that employees were instructed not to discuss the matter internally. Despite widespread attention on social media, the music box featuring Martin’s stolen design remained available for purchase at Disneyland’s Disneyana Gifts and California Adventure’s Off the Page store more than a year after the allegations first surfaced.
The Emotional and Legal Toll
For Martin, the theft has been deeply personal. As a child, he dreamed of one day having his art displayed in Disney parks. That dream became reality—but in a way he never anticipated. Seeing his work credited to someone else has tainted what should have been a proud achievement.
Many have urged Martin to sue Disney, but he remains skeptical about taking legal action against such a powerful corporation. He highlights the financial, emotional, and time-consuming toll such a lawsuit would take, especially given Disney’s vast legal resources.
Small Wins and Industry Consequences
While Disney itself has not issued any public statements, there have been some notable consequences. Shortly after Martin contacted Disney executives, the senior design manager linked to the case deleted her LinkedIn profile, and Alavezos, the designer credited for the stolen work, reportedly retired from Disney. Martin sees this as a small victory, though he remains without proper credit or compensation.
Beyond his personal battle, Martin points to broader issues facing artists today, including the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content devaluing human-made artwork. When even a company as large as Disney is willing to take and profit from an independent artist’s work without consent, it sets a troubling precedent for creative professionals.
What’s Next?
Martin continues to share his story in hopes of raising awareness about corporate exploitation of artists. He encourages supporters to follow his work on Instagram and YouTube under “Monster Caesar” or by searching for “Andrew Martin Sculptor.”
As of now, Disney remains silent, but the controversy surrounding its alleged art theft is far from over.
