"Happy Duck" Won't Compromise – Keelung Vendor: It's Original Art

▲ The yellow duck in Keelung has finally made a comeback, and visitor numbers are steadily increasing. But now, vendors want to add another "Happy Duck," creating a scene of "dual beauties in the harbor," hoping to boost business and attract more crowds. (Photo / from the Facebook page "Yellow Rubber Duck Comes to Keelung Rubber Duck Welcome To Keelung")

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

After much effort, the yellow rubber duck has made a comeback and returned to Keelung Marine Plaza, with visitor numbers gradually picking up. However, it has now emerged that a vendor at the Keelung Yellow Duck exhibition area, "Yu Sheng," plans to set up an 18-foot-tall "Happy Duck" to attract more tourists. Upon learning this, Florentijn Hofman stated that "if the Happy Duck appears, he will consider terminating the exhibition early" to protect his rights. But Yu Sheng responded: "The Happy Duck is original art and does not infringe on any rights."

Since its launch, the Keelung Yellow Duck exhibition has seen lower-than-expected visitor numbers. Now, the vendor company "Yu Sheng," which leases the East 2 Open Space, East 2 Warehouse, and East 3-4 Open Space at Keelung Port, plans to place an 18-meter-tall "Happy Duck" on its leased site to attract more business. Upon hearing the news, exhibition organizer Huang Jing-tai immediately contacted Hofman. In addition to relaying Hofman’s response — "If the vendor insists on setting up another duck, we will consider withdrawing the exhibition" — he also sent a cease-and-desist letter to Keelung Harbor Bureau and the business recruitment unit expressing opposition. Yesterday (the 6th) afternoon, Keelung Harbor Branch also stated its disagreement with the vendor creating another duck.

Sun Yu-tang, the business director of Yu Sheng Company, also responded today, stating that the idea of creating an 18-meter "Happy Duck" was to support the livelihoods of the leasing vendors, help them have a good New Year, and add richness to the dock area. Although the harbor authority disagrees with their potentially infringing duck, the "Happy Duck" is an original installation artwork, differing in size and design from the yellow duck, and is not intended to be placed in the water, so there should be no concerns about infringement.

Sun Yu-tang also mentioned that they have not yet received a formal legal letter and will respond after receiving it. However, all designs and ideas were developed with the vendors in mind, with no intention of competing with any artist or work. Therefore, the "Happy Duck" project will continue. But to avoid diverting attention from the Keelung Yellow Duck, Yu Sheng stated they are willing to modify the "Happy Duck’s" design and size, with plans to launch it in late January. (News source: Central News Agency)