Artist Using Yelp to Shame Alleged Infringer

Funny week. This past Monday my SVA students wanted to start our art & law discussions by continuing the debate over whether Kelly Mark’s neon art work, I Called Shotgun Infinity When I Was Twelve, could be protected by copyright, and regardless of whether it could or could not be protected, why it was unfair for a restaurant, Old School, to copy her work without accreditation or compensation. So we did and there were still a few frustrated sighs and moans.

Lo and behold I just read this. Apparently some of Mark’s friends and fans took to cyberspace and attacked the restaurant via its Yelp page. According to ArtFCity, the dueling parties are now negotiating. Ah, the power of the pen.

Kelly Mark. I Called Shotgun Infinity When I Was Twelve – 2006
Neon, transformers & acrylic.

Tags: Art Law, Canadian law, commercial use, Copyright, fair use, intellectual property, Kelly Mark, neon sign, short phrases