Banksy faces a trademark challenge from Full Colour Black, questioning his “Banksy” brand use. Pest Control Office must prove valid merchandise sales.
Someone from Banksy’s side will testify, likely from Pest Control Office, which authenticates Banksy’s art. They need to prove Banksy sold merchandise between 2017 and 2022. Pest Control Office claims to sell clocks, mugs, t-shirts and handbags online.
Banksy once said “copyright is for losers,” yet his company defends his trademark rights. They say people cannot misrepresent him or commit fraud. Banksy hasn’t used the word “Banksy” on products much. Experts say people don’t think “Banksy” means official products. Owning this trademark gives too much power to Pest Control, and someone from Pest Control will answer questions under oath.
In 2019, he opened a pop-up shop in Croydon called Gross Domestic Product showcasing merchandise, including a stab-proof vest Stormzy wore. Banksy explained that a card company was challenging his trademark wanting custody of his name. This would allow them to legally sell fake Banksy goods.
Banksy’s guerilla graffiti is famous worldwide. His “Girl With Balloon” sold for £1m in 2018 and was shredded mid-auction. It later sold for £18.5 million, setting a record. Some of Banksy’s other works have also been stolen.
Banksy started doing graffiti in Bristol in the 1990s, staying anonymous to avoid trouble with the police. His art first appeared in Bristol, then all over the UK and parts of the world. Banksy uses stencils because it’s faster, influenced by French artist Blek le Rat, leading to confusion between their work sometimes.
Banksy makes drawings and installations as well. He no longer sells photos of his street art, but public “installations” get resold often, and people sometimes remove walls they painted on. He also made his own theme park named Dismaland. Banksy created over 120 works in three decades.
“There is Always Hope” is possibly his most famous work, appearing in London in 2002. A painting of chimpanzees in Parliament sold well in 2019. GCHQ spies appeared on a phone box in Cheltenham. A painting at a hospital showed a child playing with a nurse. Banksy also put rats wearing masks on the London Underground, but cleaners removed this artwork.
A girl hula-hooping with a tire appeared in Nottingham and was then sold to an art gallery in Essex. A woman sneezing dentures appeared in Bristol. A prisoner escaping from prison showed up in Reading. Banksy also marked Ukraine with gymnast art. A freezer with a man’s legs sticking out appeared in Margate. A traffic sign covered in aircraft was removed in London. A tree mural showed up in London, but someone painted over it.