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In voluntary response to a request by attorneys claiming to
represent Volkswagen of America Incorporated, we have removed the VW® Bug® and
Pill Bug® images that they feel misrepresent the legitimate corporate interests
of their client.
Sadly, we will also be temporarily (and perhaps permanently) unable to honor
orders for either the VW® Bug® picture, a classic VW®Beetle® made entirely of
insects, or our brand new, limited edition Pill Bug®, a similar drawing
comprised of pharmaceutical products. In addition, we will for the time being be
unable to distribute copies of our new DS Art Coffee Table Book, since it
contains the VW® Bug® image mentioned above. (While we have been instructed to
tear the Bug® pages out of our books, and turn them over to the attorneys
forthwith, we hope that we can avoid this rather violent alternative.)
Given today’s concerns over international intrigue, wiretapping and widespread
corporate corruption, we at DS Art want only to present ourselves as
responsible, cooperative corporate citizens, and to present our work and all of
its associations in as positive a light as possible. We appreciate VW® of
America’s attorneys for bringing to our attention a grave and entirely
unintentional oversight on our part: apparently we have been using the
trademarked shape of their historic product without their required prior
authorization.
For this we are very truly sorry. The drawings that appear on this web site are
meant to bring smiles to the faces of all who view them, to warm hearts and
minds, and to engender positive feelings for the art and its subject matter.
With regard to VW® of America, our desire has never been anything other than to
be ambassadors of good will on their behalf – a function that we believe we have
served well for over a decade.
Obviously we have no responsible alternative but to honor VW® of America’s
request, and remove the offending items from our site until acceptable
reparations can be negotiated, or some form of licensure agreement can be
obtained that will allow us to offer these pictures to our customers once again.
In the meantime, we encourage each of you to contact Mr. Frank Witter, CEO of
Volkswagen of America, and thank him for his company’s indulgence over the past
fourteen years in allowing us to use their trademark image to spread good will
and good humor around the world:
Frank Witter, CEO
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
3800 Hamlin Rd.
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
248-754-5000
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