// John Lewis is being sued by a self-published author for copying a story idea in its 2019 Christmas ad, Excitable Edgar
// The author Fay Evans alleges in her copyright infringement claim
John Lewis is being sued by the author of a self-published children’s book for copying a story idea and using it in its 2019 Christmas ad, Excitable Edgar.
The author Fay Evans alleges in her copyright infringement claim that there is a “striking similarity” between her picture book, Fred the Fire-Sneezing Dragon, which she published herself in September 2017, and John Lewis’s ad about a trouble-making dragon.
John Lewis said it provided Evans with the time-stamped documents that show the concept for its Christmas campaign was first presented to it in early 2016 – one year and seven months before her book was published.
READ MORE: John Lewis urged to donate to charity after copyright accusation
“We are surprised to have received this claim. We strongly deny that we have copied or drawn any inspiration from the book, and will be robustly defending the claim,” A John Lewis spokesperson told Retail Gazette.
Evans’ book is a rhyming story about a small green dragon whose fiery sneezes cause chaos until he wins the affection of humans.
In the John Lewis ad, Edgar the dragon annoys the people in the town where he lives by melting a snowman and burning down their Christmas tree.
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