Scottish Designer Alleges NBC Stole Her 'Traitors' Jumper Design
A Scottish designer has accused NBC of "stealing" her work featured on the US version of the reality TV show The Traitors.
Siobhan Mackenzie created a sleeveless jumper worn by presenter Alan Cumming on the popular series. The design features the word "Murrrder" in glitter font, which has also appeared on merchandise sold by NBC, the American network that produces the show.
Items such as "The Traitors Hoodie Murrrder" are currently available online for $49.95 (£36.60), while T-shirts bearing the same phrase are priced at $27.95 (£20.48). NBC has been contacted for comment regarding the allegations.
The Traitors involves contestants competing as Faithfuls who attempt to identify hidden Traitors among them. The Traitors secretly eliminate Faithfuls as all participants compete for a cash prize. The programme is filmed at Ardross Castle, north of Inverness, and has gained recognition for its scenic Highland locations and Cumming's Scottish-themed attire.
Mackenzie has previously designed several outfits for both the US and UK versions of the show.
She told BBC Scotland News:
"As a small Scottish independent brand, I had designed something for Alan Cumming in season four of the US version of the Traitors.
"This was purchased as a retail transaction, there was no transfer of intellectual property rights or anything of that regard.
"NBC, for their merchandise store, have taken my idea and my design and put that across a variety of products without my consent or knowledge."
Designer Expresses Disappointment Over Unauthorized Merchandise
Mackenzie, who also created the tartan for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, stated she had attempted to communicate with NBC over recent weeks but received no response until she threatened to make the dispute public.
She described the situation as "particularly upsetting" given her brand's emphasis on "craftsmanship."
"It's everything I don't stand for, these mass-produced garments that have been put on sale without my consent," she said.
"They didn't even have the decency to tell me they would be using my idea."
Mackenzie discovered the merchandise only after seeing comments from fans of The Traitors and conducting an online search. She noted that the items were labeled as "best sellers," indicating significant sales.
"It was labelled as 'best sellers', so they've obviously sold quite a number of units," Mackenzie added.
She is demanding that the products be withdrawn and an apology issued by NBC.
"I want an explanation as to why this happened and how it happened, who allowed it to happen," she said.
"I imagine a corporation like NBC, there's probably a few layers to get through before anything is live and they have their name to it."
Mackenzie highlighted the "huge power imbalance" between large corporations and small independent brands.
"This happens all too frequently to small brands and small creatives where large corporations like that just take without asking or without a discussion.
"They just take it because you don't have the same facilities and money behind you to take on a company like NBC."
She expressed frustration over the situation.
"It's just so frustrating.
"Had NBC approached me about a partnership or collaborating, I would have welcomed the idea and had say over how things were produced or how they looked.
"It feels very damaging to my brand to just go ahead without contacting me. I would have just preferred they reached out if they liked my work."
NBC has been contacted for comment.
