Graffiti Artists Win $6.75M for Property Owner Painting Over Work

Graffiti artists won $6.75 million from a federal court after a Queens property owner painted over their works.

The Visual Artists’ Rights Act of 1990, a federal law protecting visual artwork from destruction, covered the artists’ work, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ruled Feb. 12.

The destruction qualified for heightened damages because it was a willful violation, the court said.

The ruling may stand as a warning to property owners who allow street artists to decorate abandoned properties. Owner Gerald Wolkoff allowed a group of graffiti artists to occupy what became known as ...