For more than a quarter of a century, The Art Guys® have marketed themselves in an elaborate, ongoing meta-project meant to explore “not only commerce but the commerce in ideas." (Dave Hickey) Now, they are challenging all assumptions associated with themselves by offering to sell, and thus discard, their very name.
On July 8, 2008, after a two year legal process, The Art Guys® successfully secured their registration mark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Now, after 25 years of building the brand name of "The Art Guys", The Art Guys® are offering their name for sale and all legal rights associated with the ownership of the name "The Art Guys®." If sold, The Art Guys® will no longer use "The Art Guys" in association with their work. They will assume a new name with which to work. This new name will be selected from an open call to rename The Art Guys®. This new name will be selected by a third party who will be named at a later date.
Included in the sale of this piece will be:
-the official original notice from the United States Trademark Office
-all legal rights and privileges associated with ownership of the name "The Art Guys®"
-all legal documents and copies of all communications associated with securing the trademark
-the original design and rights to use The Art Guys Logo
-the original DBA forms from Harris County, Texas for The Art Guys® (1994, updated 2004)
-original documents, designs and ephemera associated with "The Art Guys®" which may include and may not be limited to business cards, letterhead, stamps, seals, internet domain name, etc.
Price: $500,000 (U.S.).
(
Final decisions regarding artifacts to be included in this sale will be determined solely by The Art Guys®.)
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