Guess uses Banksy’s artwork without permission, Banksy request customers to steal their clothes
After seeing one of his artworks on the window of a Guess store in London, famous graffiti artist Banksy became angry with the company. Because of this, he unleashed a tirade against the shop on social media, claiming that the retailer is profiting off of his work without paying him royalties.
Banksy, who has 11.6 million followers on Instagram, recently uploaded a picture of the window display at a Guess store on London’s trendy Regent Street and encouraged would-be shoplifters to stop by.
“They have helped themselves to my artwork without asking, how can it be wrong for you to do the same with their clothes?” he said on social media. He mentions a store that displays his own Flower Thrower graffiti and apparel with his graphics.
The new collection “featuring Banksy graffiti,” was developed by Guess with the licencing agency Brandalised.
The Regent Street shop locked its doors, increased its security measures, and covered the window exhibit of Banksy’s graffiti after he made the news on Instagram.
Paul Marciano, Guess’s design director, said of the range in October, “Banksy’s graffiti has had a phenomenal influence that resonates throughout popular culture. This new capsule collection with Brandalised is a way for fashion to show its gratitude.”
Copyright attorney Liz Ward suggests that Guess may have licenced Banksy’s work “through a third party, namely Brandalised, which claims to have rights to market and use Banksy’s artwork on products.”
Whether or not the artist knew about or approved of this arrangement is unknown. However, in Ward’s “It’s not right to encourage shoplifting. Banksy should prosecute Brandalised and/or Guess for infringing on his work. However, given that he wants to remain anonymous, that may be impossible.”
