Running a business isn't just about profits and numbers; a good amount of creativity is involved in a host of other aspects ranging from the conception of the business idea to day-to-day processes too.

25-year-old Charissa Yong (who goes by the name Charissa Clara Yong on Facebook) can probably attest to that, having started NIGHT SHADE Salon in August this year to help Singaporeans achieve their dream unicorn hair:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXj564ZHUL-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcAEQ3MnA6N/

Unfortunately, while her services look good, Yong stands accused of plagiarising the logo of a South Korean retail shop named Neon Moon — and the allegation is not without grounds, it seems:

A closer look at Yong's logo:

And Neon Moon's logo, which is almost entirely similar except for the placement of the asterisk and brand name:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ5L5i5FRv1/

Neon Moon started in 2014, while NIGHT SHADE was only founded in August 2017.

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According to the Facebook post by one Ella Zheng Meisi, Neon Moon did previously contact NIGHT SHADE about the spitting-image logo, but was ignored.

"Got copyright then take it out and sue"

And Yong does not seem to be denying these allegations.

Responding in a comment on the post itself, she asks, rather confusingly "Got copyright ?" and then dares an unknown party (it's not clear who she's addressing, really) to sue her.

When Zheng responded with a screenshot of the copyright line, she replied again, denying the use of Neon Moon's shop sign — as if that is relevant to the discussion.

Other Facebook users chimed in, questioning her attitude and business ethics:

After much dispute on the post, it seems both parties have blocked each other:

With Zheng ending on an exceedingly polite note.

Plot twist: Change of logo

But wait: as recently as on Thursday morning, someone spotted a new logo on NIGHT SHADE salon's page:

But it turned out to be another image found on the internet:

To be fair we found this on Pixabay, a photo site that allows its audience to use their images for free with no attribution.

But it's still hilarious.

Copyright laws

In Singapore, copyright exists immediately upon the creation of a work, as long as it is expressed in material form (i.e. a photo, an image, a design or a piece of music).

If successfully sued, the party who has obtained commercial advantage (i.e. earned money) from infringing the original creator's copyright will be liable to a fine of up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

In the case of a second or subsequent offence, the maximum fine and imprisonment term are S$50,000 and three years respectively.

Here's the original post:

Top image adapted from Yong's Facebook and Meisi's post. 

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