The real Buster the boxer! John Lewis is accused of copying viral video of American dog jumping on a trampoline for their Christmas advert 

  • Buster has amused millions as the star of John Lewis’s Christmas advert
  • He isn’t the first dog whose escapades on a trampoline have raised a smile
  • Festive ad bears a resemblance to a home movie uploaded to YouTube

By Mark Wood For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 17:26 EST, 12 November 2016 | Updated: 19:26 EST, 12 November 2016

He has amused millions as the star of John Lewis’s Christmas advert – but it seems Buster the boxer isn’t the first dog whose escapades on a trampoline have raised a smile.

For the festive commercial bears a remarkable resemblance to a home movie which was uploaded to YouTube nearly ten years ago.

In December 2007, accountant Christina Glover filmed her boxer, Chago, barking with joy as he played on the family trampoline at her home in Orlando, Florida.

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The John Lewis version: It seems Buster the boxer isn’t the first dog whose escapades on a trampoline have raised a smile

The festive commercial bears a remarkable resemblance to a home movie which was uploaded to YouTube nearly ten years ago

The footage has since been viewed more than four million times. 

But there is one key difference: Chago – who died four months ago – did his own stunts… unlike the dog recruited to star in the ad, Biff, whose gymnastic moves were generated by computer. 

But Ms Glover, 42, was unaware of the John Lewis advert until The Mail on Sunday showed it to her. ‘I am literally in tears. That was amazing!’ she said as she watched.

‘Of course it looks like Chago’s video, but most boxers would probably do the same thing.

‘It’s a shame that they had to use computer imagery because it’s not necessary. Jumping around like that is simply what boxers do – and our video was as authentic as it gets.’

She said no one from John Lewis had contacted the family, and she called on the firm to ‘do the right thing’.

In December 2007, accountant Christina Glover filmed her boxer, Chago, barking with joy as he played on the family trampoline at her home in Orlando, Florida

Chago – who died four months ago – did his own stunts… unlike the dog recruited to star in the ad

Ms Glover said several online commentators had claimed that her video had been ‘ripped off’ by the John Lewis ad and that she should be paid royalties. She also revealed she had been approached by lawyers.

‘I really don’t know the legitimacy behind it all. I have no problem with people seeing my video – I just want them to enjoy it. As far as monetary gain, that’s not a big issue for me. I didn’t ever think about that.’

But she added: ‘It’s difficult for me to believe that John Lewis hasn’t seen my video.’

Last night a spokesman for the company said: ‘What a great video of Chago on the trampoline! Although it wasn’t the inspiration of our Christmas ad, we’re sure he and Buster would have been good friends. Our story was dreamed up by our creative team.’

 

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