10 Landmark Copyright and Art Law Cases That Shaped the Art World
This summary highlights ten significant legal cases related to artists and copyright from 1928 to 2018. In 1928, the U.S. Customs Court recognized Constantin Brancusi's 'Bird in Space' as a work of art. Jeff Koons faced legal defeat in 1992 against Art Rogers over 'String of Puppies,' eventually reaching a confidential settlement. However, in 2005, Koons triumphed against Andrea Blanch regarding 'Niagara.' In 1990, the directors of Cincinnati's Center for Contemporary Art were found not guilty for showcasing Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs. Richard Prince was involved in a lawsuit with Patrick Cariou from 2009 to 2014, with the Second Circuit overturning an earlier decision in 2013. Christo and Jeanne-Claude secured rights for wrapping the Pont Neuf in 1986-87. A French court deemed Invader's street art copyrightable in 2007. Lastly, the demolition of the 5Pointz site from 2013 to 2018 led to $6.7 million in damages in 2018.
Key facts
- Brancusi's 'Bird in Space' ruled art by U.S. Customs Court in 1928.
- Jeff Koons lost to Art Rogers in 1992 over 'String of Puppies'.
- Koons won against Andrea Blanch in 2005 for 'Niagara'.
- Cincinnati museum directors acquitted in 1990 for Mapplethorpe exhibition.
- Richard Prince initially lost to Patrick Cariou in 2009, won on appeal in 2013.
- Prince and Cariou settled in 2014.
- Daniel Spoerri's work made by child led to annulled sale in France (2002-2005).
- Christo and Jeanne-Claude won copyright for Pont Neuf wrapping in 1987.
- Invader's street art deemed copyrightable in 2007.
- 5Pointz artists awarded $6.7 million in 2018 for destroyed graffiti.
Entities
Artists
- Constantin Brancusi
- Jacob Epstein
- Jeff Koons
- Art Rogers
- Andrea Blanch
- Robert Mapplethorpe
- Richard Prince
- Patrick Cariou
- Daniel Spoerri
- Christo
- Jeanne-Claude
- Invader
Institutions
- U.S. Customs Court
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- Sotheby's
- Center for Contemporary Art Cincinnati
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- Cour d'appel de Paris
- Cour de cassation (France)
- Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris
- US District Court of Eastern New York
- Artribune
Locations
- United States
- New York
- Cincinnati
- Ohio
- Paris
- France
- Jamaica
- 5Pointz
- New York City