Balloon dogs have become such a hot commodity that balloon artist Jeff Koons who makes larger then life balloon dogs (actually they are stainless steel sculptures of balloon dogs) and sells them for 4 figures and up is suing a San Francisco art gallery for making balloon dog bookends that retail for $30 because Koons believes thay are infringing on his trademark. Though it is my belief that people who buy a 30 dollar balloon dog bookend probably would not have the money to purchase a 4 or 5 figure balloon dog and that people who have the money to purchase a balloon dog sculpture for thousands of dollars by a famous pop art probably would not choose to buy a balloon dog bookend instead.
Besides the balloon dog was around before Koons started making balloon dog sculptures. I think it is kind of like someone making a pop art sculpture of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny and then suing anyone else for an infringement of a trademark if they decide to make anything that is Santa or Easter Bunny related. Well I am glad that Koons didn't decide to go after the thousands of clowns, magicians, and other children's entertainers who make balloon dogs on a regular basis at children's parties.
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