Yeah man, pretty familiar with how IP works.

Issue here is that Vans is profiting off of it. It’s not some cool hand done tribute, it’s a large corporation (theoretically because they won’t print it for a variety of reasons) profiting off the unauthorized use of a piece of art.

Good for you that you worked in Nashville. Also spent time in the industry. Seen plenty of artists get fucked off unauthorized use and plenty who definitely weren’t happy with unauthorized merch, etc. The tribute aspect is whatever, but I can guarantee many artists would rather you put that money spent making whatever “tribute” back into an artists pocket.