A local independent designer’s work has recently been getting attention — just not in the way she had hoped.

An almost-identical version of Nicole Tarasick’s YYZ airport code pillow was being sold in multiple Ontario HomeSense stores.

Tarasick, who does mainly graphic design and print screening, sells items such as pillows and tote bags adorned with Canadian-themed symbols like maple leaves, geese and airport codes.

She says the handmade YYZ pillow, which she’s been producing since 2009, is her bestselling product. The item is sold at several local boutiques such as the Spacing Store, and at two shops at Pearson International Airport.

Tarasick was alerted to the HomeSense pillow by a friend and a family member, who sent her a photo. She has since seen one in person at a Kingston, Ont., location of the retail chain.

“The material is different, the font is slightly different. But the general design of it is quite similar,” Tarasick said. The pillow, manufactured by Mississauga-based Westex International, is made with a darker material. It is retailing for $19.99, she said, in comparison to her $65 price tag.

HomeSense’s parent company TJX said Tuesday they have instructed all stores to pull the pillow off their floors while they look into the matter.

Westex International said it first heard about the issue after being contacted by the Star on Monday.

“Westex respects artists’ integrity, prides itself on fair dealings, and is looking into this matter seriously,” Lee Chitiz, the company’s chief operations officer, said in a statement.

Tarasick doesn’t own any copyright or trademark rights to the symbol or pillow, but believes the overall design is distinct.

“Obviously YYZ is a designator of an airport — I don’t own those three letters together in any shape or form,” Tarasick said. “It’s more the expression of the idea on a pillow that makes it unique to me.”

After Tarasick was sent the photo of the replica, she made a side-by-side comparison photo and posted it on her Twitter and Facebook profiles.

“It’s more an effort to stick up for myself, but also my retailers who took a chance and sold my product,” she said.

She said HomeSense has since reached out to collect more information from her. TJX says it will work with Tarasick to determine its next steps.

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In recent years, large U.S. retailers such as Urban Outfitters and Target have been accused of selling knock-off work.

“I think it’s very common,” she said. “It had definitely crossed my mind before because my design is so simple, minimalist. It would be very easy to replicate.”