A federal court in New Mexico has granted partial summary judgment to Meow Wolf in a $1 million copyright and contract infringement case brought against the company by artist Lauren Adele Oliver.
Olivier’s suit, filed in March 2020alleges that in 2016, when she agreed to exhibit her sculpture space owl in Meow Wolf’s landmark immersive “House of Eternal Return” installation in Santa Fe, the art outfit – which at the time had yet to become a corporation – promised him a “share of the artist’s revenue” .
But after the installation became a success and Meow Wolf grew into a multi-million dollar business, Oliver said she only received $2,000 for her work. The artist also claimed that Meow Wolf used images from space owl-a hairy otherworldly creature that stands seven feet tall-to promote the installation, although she does not have his permission to do so.
In late 2020, Meow Wolf attempted to have the case dismissed, arguing that his employees’ verbal agreement with Oliver did not constitute a workable contract, but the court rejected the motion.
Lauren Adele Oliver with a space owl toy. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Now some of Oliver’s claims are coming to a resolution. Last Friday, June 16, US Magistrate Judge Kirtan Khalsa granted summary judgment on several counts of the case.
Among other findings, Khlasa found that Meow Wolf has an “implied, irrevocable, and non-exclusive license to use images” of Oliver’s installation, so long as it is titled correctly. The judge also pointed to evidence that Oliver approved of the use of images of his work for promotional purposes, including instances of the artist reacting positively to examples on social media.
Khlasa’s partial summary judgment applies only to those specific claims in Oliver’s lawsuit. The artist’s other allegations against Meow Wolf, including those of breach of contract, unjust enrichment and misrepresentation, have yet to be argued.
Representatives for Oliver and Meow Wolf did not immediately return requests for comment.
Follow Artnet News on Facebook:
Want to stay one step ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to receive breaking news, revealing interviews and incisive reviews that move the conversation forward.
