Sleep Token’s team has retracted a copyright claim that got a tattoo artist’s Instagram deleted after major backlash from fans.
Sleep Token’s team, Rico Management, has retracted a copyright claim that led to a tattoo artist’s business Instagram account being taken down earlier this week. The decision followed a wave of online backlash after Sheffield-based artist Emily-Jayne, known as InkITEJ, said her account was removed for posting tattoo designs inspired by the band.
In a detailed post shared on her new Instagram account last week, Emily-Jayne explained that her work had long been tied to music-inspired designs and that her Sleep Token pieces had helped her business grow both in the UK and Canada. “Sadly, today, my main account was wrongfully taken down by Sleep Token’s team Rico Management for copyright infringement,” she wrote. “My designs are heavily inspired by the band or a tribute to them and the fans, all of which are my own designs that I’ve worked hours and hours to design and get out into the world.”
The artist’s post quickly spread across social media, with fans criticizing Rico Management and Sleep Token’s label, RCA Records, for overreaching. Some called the move an example of “corporate bullying” toward independent artists. Within days, Rico Management reversed its decision after reportedly consulting with the band.
Emily-Jayne shared the email she received from Sleep Token’s management team (Rico) to social media on October 11, which read: “We have spoken with our client, and because of how this negatively affected your account, they have requested that we retract our claim against your account.”
“Please note that several posts on different platforms were reported and may still be removed as a result of earlier submissions. If that happens, rest assured we will address each instance as it arises.”
Despite the retraction, Emily-Jayne isn’t sure she’ll get her original account back. Still, she celebrated the decision as a small victory. “Got an email for Sle*p Tok*n’s [Sleep Token’s] team (yes their name is being censored since I’m on their hit list) and it looks like bad publicity on social media and in the press got them a bit scared,” she wrote. “Even if I don’t get my old account back, this is still a mini victory!”
The incident has reignited discussion around copyright enforcement in fan art and tattoo communities, where musicians’ imagery often inspires designs. Other Sleep Token fans have reported receiving takedown notices in recent months, with some even launching a petition urging Rico Management to reconsider its approach to fan-created content – especially given the band‘s fandom is absolutely massive and often deeply engaged.
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