Fashion Santa says concept was his idea

The man who shot to fame as Yorkdale Shopping Centre’s Fashion Santa says the concept was his idea, and he is considering legal action after he was replaced.

However, a business expert said model Paul Mason might have trouble proving his case.

Earlier this week, CityNews reported that Mason would not be reprising his role as Fashion Santa, a position he had held for the past two years.

On Thursday, Mason told our sister station 680 NEWS that it was his decision not to return, because of the dispute over the concept. He has hired a lawyer.

“In my pitch, there were a few components that I wanted to sit with. It was doing selfies, a charity angle with children, and a high-end ambassador to fashion brands,” Mason said.

“Because of the dispute, and because of my ownership rights and they feel their ownership rights, I said no.”

A Yorkdale spokesperson told 680 NEWS that the mall made numerous attempts to bring Mason back and waited until Oct. 28 to shoot the 2016 campaign.

The mall then hired a new model.

One business expert said Mason may not have grounds for legal action. Richard Powers, an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, said Mason needed a written agreement.

“In the absence of an agreement, in an employment relationship, it’s very clear. The employer owns the intellectual property rights. In a situation like this, [Mason] is not an employee; he’s a contractor,” Powers said.

“By all reports he did a very good job. But to try to lay claim to the title and the campaign, it’s a little bit ridiculous.”

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