Monday, November 25, 2013

"If it does come to pass that the Wolkoffs find themselves on the hook for whatever absurd figure a lawyer convinces a compliant New York jury to cough up, it will be a legal outrage."

The New York Post editorial board is not impressed with Judge Block's decision in the 5Pointz case:  "It says much about the dismal state of property rights in this city that the judge who authorized the Wolkoffs’ plans to demolish their building practically invited those who had painted on it to file in civil court for damages for the loss of their artistic works. He did so by suggesting that the US Visual Artists Rights Acts may well protect the 'ephemeral nature' of graffiti on a building. Translation: The owners may have to pay damages for painting their own building!"