Update: Park West Gallery Suit

It appears that Park West Gallery has failed in its defamation, interference with business advantage and conspiracy suit against Fine Art Registry of Phoenix, AZ.  Park West Gallery is  the large Michigan based gallery selling art on many cruise ship lines. Park West had been accused of misrepresenting their artwork by Fine Art Registry and from buyers during cruise ship auctions.  Fine Art Registry has been campaigning against the practices of Park West and advocating for buyers rights who claim misrepresentation in what they purchased from Park West. In response to Fine Art Registry actions Park West sued to protects its name and business practices. As appraisers, many of us have seen what we commonly refer to as cruise ship art. Much of the debate between Park West and Fine Art registry is over the legitimacy of Dali prints, amongst others prints by numerous artists.

I dont have the details of the verdict yet, but the trial has been going on for about the past month and went to the jury earlier this week.  Fine Art Registry has posted on their website that "Fine Art Registry Wins Case in Federal District Court in Michigan" with details to follow. I have not been able to confirm the results or if there are any issues or caveats in the decision. I am posting this on Wed evening for email delivery Thursday morning. I hope to have more information to report on Thursday on the outcome.

Because these cases are difficult to prove, some legal experts thought Park West had a good chance of being successful in its suit against Fine Art Registry based upon the Federal courts willingness to hear the full case.  If the verdict is correct, as Fine Art Registry has posted, this means the upcoming class actions suit against Park West Gallery will probably gain additional momentum, strength and credibility. It could also mean Park West will be more inclined to settle before a trial.

I'll try to get information from both sides as soon as it is available.