Greetings card company goes to court over Banksy trademark

A company that sells greetings cards featuring the work of graffiti artists, including Banksy, is going to court to challenge the anonymous street artist’s trademark.

Full Colour Black claims that Banksy has failed to use the trademark and that it should therefore be cancelled for “non-use”.

The case will go to tribunal at the Intellectual Property Office in April.

A representative of Banksy’s company, Pest Control Office, will argue that trademark has been in use – with merchandise bearing it sold on behalf of the artist between 2017 and 2022, including clocks, mugs and T-shirts.

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

A source quoted in The Sun newspaper said: “[Banksy’s] had the registrations for years and hasn’t used them.

“Everyone and his dog uses Banksy descriptively, when you see Banksy describing something you don’t necessarily think it comes from Banksy, it doesn’t function as a trademark anymore.

“He hasn’t sold things with the word Banksy, he doesn’t do spin off and merchandise.”