New York, NY (AHN) -- The artist behind New York City's famous "Charging Bull" bronze statue found in the Wall Street financial district has filed a copyright infringement suit against Wal-Mart stores and North Fork Bancorp.

New York artist Arturo Di Modica filed a case on the U.S. District Court in Manhattan claiming that Wal-Mart is "knowingly and willfully selling and marketing" reproductions of the iconic statue without the artist's permission.

Another company, North Fork, showed the "Charging Bull" on a national television advertising campaign also without permission, the lawsuit said.

Di Modica had list the bull with the U.S. Copyright Office in 1998. He seeks damages for lost revenue from both companies for the unlawful use of "Charging Bull's" image, the lawsuit said.

The artist has called for both companies to cease using the image.

North Fork and Wal-Mart representatives could not be immediately reached for comment.

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