Banksy loses trademark battle over his famous Flower Thrower image
Though only considering whether to apply Banksy's trademark, which covers brands and slogans, the panel also said any future attempt to exert copyright could be problematic as the artist maintains complete anonymity. They said: “Banksy has chosen to remain anonymous and for the most part to paint graffiti on other people’s property without their permission rather than to paint it on canvases or his own property.” If he cannot be identified as the “unquestionable owner of such works”, as his identity is a secret, the panel noted, “it further cannot be established without question that the artist holds any copyrights to a graffiti”.
As Banksy so succinctly put it: “copyright is for losers”. The artist also encouraged others to download his works for “amusement and activism”, but not for profit, ...
Banksy could not be reached for comment.
See the full story here: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/banksy-loses-flower-thrower-trademark-case-calling-his-anonymity-into-question