Walmart is selling ripped-off prints of Banksy’s ‘Destroy Capitalism’

[n2doc]

The irony! There’s just so much of it! On so many levels!


I suggest we all take a moment and think about the person who would purchase such a thing from Walmart, other than perhaps Sybil. What they do with their day? What led them to make the choice to shop at Walmart, the very symbol of capitalism gone wrong, and also to buy this particular Banksy print? We may never know.

Because Banksy doesn’t copyright his work, the company is basically free to use it without permission.

In addition to this, some of the prints labeled as Banksy prints on the site are actually the work of other artists. Graffiti artist Eddie Colla’s print, with the very ironic words “If you want to achieve greatness stop asking for permission,” is on the site and labeled as a Banksy piece, as is Thierry Guetta’s 2008 “Life is Beautiful” piece. Colla intends to pursue legal action.


http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/210622/walmart-is-selling-prints-of-banksys-destroy-capitalism/

[msongs]

1. if it is freely useable then it can hardly be "ripped-off" nt

[LanternWaste]

4. Not legally, but I imagine the case may be made for ethically.

Not legally, but I imagine the case may be made for its usage ethically.. if one looks at the contemporary definitions.

2. exploitation, especially of those who cannot prevent or counter it.
3. a copy or imitation.




But none of that is really the actual point being made, is it...?

[KittyWampus]

2. This is like when a picture shows its subject in a mirror who is looking in a mirror who is looking

in a mirror who is looking in a mirror.

[lightcameron]

3. Under US law, the copyright is automatic when the work is

in a "fixed medium." Registering a copyright isn't necessary; it just gives your claim a little more weight in a legal action and allows you to seek higher damages.

The problem with this guy is that much of the work is done illegally (i.e. on someone else's private property) so any copyright claim is out the window in those cases. That's what makes this one so dicey.

But to your point, I love the message in this piece. I remember people buying anti-capitalism shirts at Lollapalooza one year. Great irony, probably lost on the customers.