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Banksy Opens A Dystopian Homeware Store No One Can Get Into, Following A Trademark Dispute
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Banksy Opens A Dystopian Homeware Store No One Can Get Into, Following A Trademark Dispute

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Banksy just unveiled his latest work, however, the artist said that the motivation behind the project was “possibly the least poetic reason to ever make some art.” A trademark dispute. The famous street artist had been forced into taking the unusual step of opening his own homeware shop in London following a legal dispute with a greeting card company.

More info: banksy.co.uk | Instagram

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

The shop, named Gross Domestic Product, appeared in the Croydon neighborhood, on Church Street. The temporary installation will be on view for two weeks, featuring multiple window displays. And even though it will be closed for passers-by, some of the items will be sold on GDP’s associated online store including welcome mats (which Banksy hired refugees in Greek detainment camps to stitch, giving them back all the proceeds). Revenue generated by the doll sets will also support the purchase of a replacement boat for activist Pia Klemp. Klemp’s own boat was confiscated by the Italian government after she was accused of aiding illegal immigration when saving people from drowning in the Mediterranean.

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

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Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

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Tying Gross Domestic Product to his larger body of work, Banksy incorporated motifs his fans should already be familiar with. The fireplace and stenciled jacquard wallpaper, for example, are from his Walled Off Hotel, and the iconic stab-proof Union Jack vest is what he created for Stormzy to wear at the Glastonbury Festival.

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

Image credits: Ash Versus

Image credits: Ash Versus

“A greeting card company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art,” the artist said in a statement. “And attempting to take custody of my name so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally.”

The anonymous celebrity of the art world thought the card company was “banking on the idea” he would not show up in court to defend himself.

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Mark Stephens, an arts lawyer and founder of the Design and Artists Copyright Society, is the one who’s giving Banksy legal advice in this tricky situation. “Banksy is in a difficult position,” he said. “Because he doesn’t produce his own range of shoddy merchandise and the law is quite clear – if the trademark holder is not using the mark, then it can be transferred to someone who will.”

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

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Image credits: Ash Versus

“Sometimes you go to work and it’s hard to know what to paint, but for the past few months I’ve been making stuff for the sole purpose of fulfilling trademark categories under EU law,” the artist added, admitting the subject matter is “not a very sexy muse”.

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Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

Image credits: Ash Versus

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

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Image credits: mhollander38

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

Image credits: mhollander38

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Image credits: mhollander38

Image credits: mhollander38

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

Image credits: GrossDomesticProduct

Watch a presentation of Banksy’s shop in the video below

Image credits: Ash Versus

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Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Read less »

Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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Aisha Charnock
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I love Banksy. He's like, "I'm going to display my art, with a side of f**k you."

Demi Zwaan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope we find out who this card company is, so we can boycott them for the rest of their 'live'. What a low, low thing to do.

Liz Karsa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While in NOLA last year I was happy to see at least one of his pieces were still there. It is protected under a sheet of plastic so other artists can't tag over it. I really wished his larger piece featuring the National Guard looting during Hurricane Katrina was still there but it had long been painted over. Smart guy. I hope he is never "caught" because his art really makes you think. This store idea is genius. 65809864_1...50e483.jpg 65809864_10218729423767288_8699939055321743360_n-5d94be550e483.jpg

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Aisha Charnock
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I love Banksy. He's like, "I'm going to display my art, with a side of f**k you."

Demi Zwaan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope we find out who this card company is, so we can boycott them for the rest of their 'live'. What a low, low thing to do.

Liz Karsa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While in NOLA last year I was happy to see at least one of his pieces were still there. It is protected under a sheet of plastic so other artists can't tag over it. I really wished his larger piece featuring the National Guard looting during Hurricane Katrina was still there but it had long been painted over. Smart guy. I hope he is never "caught" because his art really makes you think. This store idea is genius. 65809864_1...50e483.jpg 65809864_10218729423767288_8699939055321743360_n-5d94be550e483.jpg

Load More Comments
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