The story of street artist Banksy has taken quite a few twists and turns over the years. Street art begins as vandalism, but an installation from Banksy soon became worth millions. That still doesn't make it legal when it just appears without permission. There have also been instances of a commissioned Banksy work being removed when it was assumed to be graffiti. Over time, Banksy expanded to give us performance art, film, and exhibits.
An upcoming trial may reveal who the original Banksy is, but it really doesn't matter. The name now belongs to a collective, as it takes a whole team of artists and technicians to create a Banksy. An ongoing legal entanglement involves the European rejection of a Banksy trademark, based on earlier statements in which Banksy preached against copyright -until others started to profit from his designs. An upcoming defamation trial resulted when Banksy posted on Instagram encouraging fans to shoplift from a store that used his imagery without permission. If the original Banksy is revealed, he may be liable for property crimes going back years. Read an account of Banksy's legal woes at the Conversation. -via Damn Interesting
(Image credit: Dominic Robinson)
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