Vatican Sued Over Stamp

[coastwatcher]

The Vatican is apparently being sued by an Italian street artist because they used one of the artist’s works on a stamp without permission. The full story can be read on Snopes.

[khj]

Ironic, that her artwork would use the phrase "Just Use It". I guess the Vatican took it literally!

[khj]

Here is the original AP article, which Snopes does credit: Vatican issues a street art stamp, ends up getting sued.

Snopes is a useful website. That being said, it also seems strange that Snopes is asking for donations for re-posting an article off the AP website, and not having published any investigative reporting that it's famous for.

[bethg]

Does anyone here have the actual stamp? And, if so, could they please share an image of it?

What an interesting case! I hope the street artist wins her case.

[coastwatcher]

Here you go bethg !

Vatican City Scott #1733 issued in 2020


Please note that the image above is the seller’s image. Mine won’t be here from Italy for awhile yet.

[sharonb]

I find myself wondering why the Vatican did it!?! They own the copyright to so many artworks why choose this one?

[stampie78]

May 29, 2021 6:14:39 GMT -5 sharonb said:

I find myself wondering why the Vatican did it!?! They own the copyright to so many artworks why choose this one?

I think they are all getting lazy. What happened to the great engraved issues of years gone by.

[bethg]

May 29, 2021 6:14:39 GMT -5 sharonb said:

I find myself wondering why the Vatican did it!?! They own the copyright to so many artworks why choose this one?

Perhaps because this image makes Christianity seem more edgy and relevant. I mean, do they have modern, challenging artwork in their collection? (Not that the piece they used is that challenging, but it's certainly more "of the moment," to my mind.)

[sharonb]

May 29, 2021 8:58:17 GMT -5 bethg said:

May 29, 2021 6:14:39 GMT -5 sharonb said:

I find myself wondering why the Vatican did it!?! They own the copyright to so many artworks why choose this one?

Perhaps because this image makes Christianity seem more edgy and relevant. I mean, do they have modern, challenging artwork in their collection? (Not that the piece they used is that challenging, but it's certainly more "of the moment," to my mind.)

Yes they do collect contemporary pieces - not sure how to add a link but check out this site it is about their contemporary collection - maybe what they had is not contemporary enough?!

www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/collezione-d_arte-contemporanea.html

[angore]

In this day and age, I am not surprised but then postal agencies make all the money from their work.

[bethg]

May 29, 2021 23:27:10 GMT -5 sharonb said:

May 29, 2021 8:58:17 GMT -5 bethg said:

Perhaps because this image makes Christianity seem more edgy and relevant. I mean, do they have modern, challenging artwork in their collection? (Not that the piece they used is that challenging, but it's certainly more "of the moment," to my mind.)

Yes they do collect contemporary pieces - not sure how to add a link but check out this site it is about their contemporary collection - maybe what they had is not contemporary enough?!

www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/collezione-d_arte-contemporanea.html

Thanks for that link, sharonb. I don't remember seeing that collection when we visited in 2008, but then, we were stupid enough to go on a free day, so the museum was packed. Plus, we were with our anxious and bored young teenager, so we ended up rushing through a lot.

[khj]

May 30, 2021 6:18:35 GMT -5 angore said:

In this day and age, I am not surprised but then postal agencies make all the money from their work.

Unless you are USPS. Where there's a way to lose money/packages, they'll find a way...

Lady Liberty mix-up leads to $3.5M payout for Las Vegas artist

[angore]

I had the Lady Liberty issue in mind when I made my comment. The USPS wants all the revenue from their stamps including a strong licensing program for their work (collectibles) but they want people to give their material to the USPS for almost nothing for the honor of being on a stamp. From what I read it was no mix up as the headline notes as some in the USPS knew it was not the original Liberty prior to issuing the stamp and the license from Getty images did not give them rights to do what they did.

Given the USPS shift to pop culture stamps they are clearly after the money.