Glass Artist Files Countersuit Against Dale Chihuly

The Seattle Times:

The high artistic and economic stakes in the copyright battle between glass artist Dale Chihuly and two glass blowers were laid out in stark terms Thursday when one of the glass blowers asked a court's permission to continue making lopsided glass forms in any color he chooses.

Shelton glass artist Bryan Rubino, who was sued by Chihuly last year for alleged copyright violations, made the unusual request in a counterclaim filed in U.S. District Court.

The countersuit alleges Chihuly is trying to claim "a monopoly on any and all glass art that is curved, nested or uses certain kinds of colors. [Chihuly] cannot use copyright registrations to protect an idea or process that is so elementary that it would preclude any other glass artist from working or creating any glass art at all."

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Comments

[Laurenz]

I loved the Chihuly - exhibition in Miami, but I'm not quite sure what this is all about?
Did you ever hear of a great artist having to "copyright" his / her work?
I mean, if someone else produces something remotely similar to a Picasso, where's the problem? It's not going to sell for the same money as the real thing...

"Chihuly" is not quite as established a "brand" in modern arts - but enough so that he shouldn't feel threatened by other glass artists.

Just my two cents,

Laurenz

PS: some photos I took of the exhibition in Miami:
http://www.travelphoto.net/a-photo-a-day/wordpress/category/photos-by-subject/arts/chihuly/