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Vantablack: The “Blackest” IPR Dispute




Neha Singh, Sardar Patel Subharti Institute of Law

INTRODUCTION

In 2014, the Anglo-Indian British artist Anish Kapoor acquired exclusive rights to use Vantablack, a newly developed material that is the blackest substance known to man. This decision sparked a wave of controversy, with many people accusing Kapoor of being selfish and monopolistic.

Vantablack is a carbon nanotube-based material that absorbs 99.96% of visible light. This makes it appear to be a hole in space, and it has been used to create some of the most visually stunning artworks in recent years. Kapoor's decision to acquire exclusive rights to Vantablack meant that no other artist could use the material in their work. This led to accusations that Kapoor was trying to hoard the material for himself and prevent other artists from exploring its full potential.

Kapoor's supporters argue that he is simply exercising his right to protect his intellectual property. They point out that Vantablack is a complex and expensive material to produce, and that Kapoor's investment in the material should be protected. They also argue that Kapoor's work with Vantablack has helped to raise the profile of the material and make it more widely known.

The controversy over Kapoor's exclusive rights to Vantablack raises a number of important questions about the nature of art and intellectual property. Is it right for one artist to have exclusive control over a particular material? What are the implications for other artists who want to use the material? And what does this say about the future of art?

There are no easy answers to these questions. However, the controversy over Vantablack has certainly sparked a valuable debate about the relationship between art, creativity, and ownership. It is a debate that is likely to continue for many years to come.

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Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research

Abbreviation: IJLLR

ISSN: 2582-8878

Website: www.ijllr.com

Accessibility: Open Access

License: Creative Commons 4.0

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