Legal bullfight looms between ‘Charging Bull’ and ‘Fearless Girl’
Posted On: Apr. 14, 2017 12:08 PM CST
Artist Arturo di Modica, whose iconic “Charging Bull” sculpture on Wall Street has received much attention for the placement of the “Fearless Girl” statue in front of it, has a message for the company behind the defiant little woman: Get out of the way or I’ll sue.
Mr. di Modica was surrounded by a cluster of attorneys Wednesday at a press conference where it was announced the 76-year-old artist is planning to sue State Street Global Advisors, the mutual fund company that placed “Fearless Girl” in opposition to his work, for trademark and copyright infringement, according to the New York Post newspaper.
“Fearless Girl,” created by American artist Kristen Visbal as part of this year’s International Woman’s Day on March 8, had a temporary permit to stand opposite the bull, but New York Mayor Bill de Blasio extended it another 11 months under pressure from women’s group.
In addition to potentially violating the trademark and copyright Mr. di Modica owns on “Charging Bull” — State Street has shown the bull and “Fearless Girl” together on marketing materials — his lawyers told reporters that the placement of the girl also violates commercial laws.