Fine Art Advocacy Articles

Park West Gallery Refuses to Right the Wrong on Dali Print - Litigation on the Horizon
Here are the developments in the few days that have ensued since we published the full case study of Brian Falk and his wife Malene Hansen who were sold what appears to be a fake Salvador Dali print at a Park West at Sea "auction" aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Explorer of the Seas on their honeymoon in 2004. Then followed a series of customer services and executive bloopers of magnitude as Park West sent them the wrong print, declared the value for customs purposes to be a third of what they paid, and then contradicted themselves internally regarding the provenance and value of the piece sent.
Case Study, November 12, 2008

Fine Art Registry® featured in Thomas Hoving article on Artnet® Magazine
Artnet® Magazine features Fine Art Registry® in an article entitled The Fate of the $5 Dollar Pollock, by Thomas Hoving, reproduced here in its entirety, courtesy Editor, ArtNet.com.
Media, November 7, 2008

Fine Art Registry® Wins Mediation on Domain Name Violation Against Park West Gallery Hired PR Consultants
On October 22nd, 2008, the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center ruled in favor of Fine Art Registry and against Park West and its hired PR practitioners in an important case of domain name misappropriation where Park West Gallery consultants had set up a website "aboutfineartregistry.com" for the purpose of slandering Fine Art Registry and advancing their own commercial ends, as detailed in the Administrative Panel Decision, Fine Art Registry versus Cartoon Heaven (Cartoon Heaven being the cover under which the website was set up and operated).
Press Room, October 27, 2008

When Smear Campaigns Lie, they Backfire on the Smearer
Park West Gallery initiated a smear campaign against Fine Art Registry® to try to silence or discredit FAR® who was publishing a bit too much of the truth about Park West's operations to suit them. Now they have been, as Hamlet put it, "hoist with their own petard".
Article, October 27, 2008

Another Park West Gallery Dissatisfied Customer - Case Study
Park West Gallery sells Brian Falk a fake Dali print and then puts the Falks through an absolute nightmare, dragged out over several years when they try to get help from customer services and senior Park West Gallery executives to right the matter. Lies, false assurances, price gouging, knowingly selling fakes and not putting it right even when clearly pointed out characterize this case study.
Case Study, October 24, 2008

Fine Art Registry® wins arbitration over Park West's Trademark Infringement
Fine Art Registry® Wins Arbitration Over Defamatory and Slanderous Statements as well as Trademark Infringement made by Individuals Linked to Park West Gallery and Hired to Hijack Fine Art Registry Domain Name and Federally Registered Trademarks.
Legal, October 23, 2008

Park West Gallery/Park West at Sea Cruise Ship Art Auction Rip-off and Customer Services Nightmare
Richard and Tracey English tell how they were sold fraudulently overpriced art by Park West at Sea aboard the Carnival cruise ship Miracle. This is another in the series of case studies of reported fraudulent misrepresentation and deceptive trade practices at art auctions conducted at sea on cruise ships and the refusal to provide customer services support for their customers.
Case Study, October 18, 2008

The Truth About Park West at Sea Cruise Line Art Auctions - An Insider's Story
A former Park West auctioneer, Gavin Watson, who pioneered art auctions on cruise ships before Park West Gallery ever got involved or Park West at Sea was formed and later went on to work for Albert Scaglione and Park West, tells the story of how the art auctions on cruise ships began, how they were taken over by Park West and how they dwindled from a fun activity where real bargains were to be had to what they are now, overpriced and often poor quality art sold under heavy pressure for more than it is worth using anything goes sales tactics.
Video, Octoober 10, 2008

The Artist's Magazine features Fine Art Registry® Dali Investigation Article
The Artist's Magazine November 2008 issue carries a two-page spread about the Fine Art Registry® led investigation into the authenticity and value of two Dali prints sold by Park West at Sea for thousands of dollars.
Media Coverage, October 10, 2008

Yet Another Park West Gallery/Park West at Sea Cruise Ship Art Auction Rip-off and Customer Services Refusal to Help, Peter Max Art
Robert and Debra English tell how they were sold fraudulently overpriced art by Park West at Sea on their honeymoon aboard the Carnival cruise ship Miracle.
Case Study, October 3, 2008

Report of Another Park West Gallery Park West at Sea Cruise Ship Art Auction Rip-off, Rembrandt
Stephen and Kimberly Wood tell how they were sold art which was fraudulently overpriced by Park West at Sea on their honeymoon aboard the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Mariner of the Seas.
Case Study, October 1, 2008

RICO Allegations & More - Park West Gallery Class Action
Fine Art Registry is pleased to announce to its members and readership the filing of a class action lawsuit in Washington State against Park West Gallery, Fine Art Sales, Inc., HSBC Finance Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Holland America Line, Inc.
News, September 23, 2008

Coming Attractions - Park West, Investigating the Underbelly
More Documentary Video & Investigative Reports on the Underbelly of Cruise Ship Art Sales.
News, September 23, 2008

Thumbs Down for Bernie Ewell - Sotheby's Says Decharnes Rules
AUCTION GIANT SOTHEBY'S WEIGHS IN... on the subject of authentication of "ORIGINAL" Salvador Dali works of art.
News, September 23, 2008

Obfuscating Truth - The Weasel Word Dictionary
There are specific catchwords, catchphrases, and doublespeak that Park West Gallery uses in order to induce consumers to buy what are essentially mass produced, commercial grade products like art prints, sports memorabilia, jewelry, and cartoon cells—just to name a few categories from the retail line of Park West Gallery merchandise.
News, August 20, 2008

Damn the Torpedoes! Full Speed Ahead!
Over the last two years Fine Art Registry® has commissioned some remarkable investigations into the seamier side of the art industry. Our exhaustive research and published reports have exposed a number of significant public policy concerns.
News, August 12, 2008

Fine Art Registry® featured in El Universal Newspaper       (English Translation)
Fine Art Registry congratulates Julio Aguilar, writer for El Universal newspaper for publishing his article titled, Defraudan a turistas con venta de 'arte': Park West Gallery obtiene jugosas ganancias con obras falsas o sobrevaluadas. The title in English translates to: Tourists defrauded in "art" sales: Park West Gallery makes juicy profits on fake or overpriced artworks.
Media, August 8, 2008

SLAPP!!! Fine Art Registry Will Not be Silenced
Park West Gallery served Fine Art Registry and its CEO with a second lawsuit today—this time in the state of Florida—the same exact allegations of defamation and slander mind you—but a second lawsuit nonetheless. Why? Solely to harass, intimidate, and attempt to stop Fine Art Registry from continuing to investigate and report the truth.
News, August 6, 2008

Is Park West Above the Law? Michigan Art Multiples Sales Act
All buyers of art prints or multiples from Park West Gallery have a legal right under the Michigan Art Multiples Sales Act to demand from Park West Gallery/Park West at Sea IN WRITING certain detailed disclosures of key information concerning their purchases and most importantly, prior to purchase or payment or delivery of the artwork so that an informed decision can be made.
News, August 6, 2008

Fine Art Registry® featured on Law.com  
Daily Business Review article posted on Law.com features Fine Art Registry® in an article entitled Cruise Passengers Claim Gallery Short-Changed Them During Voyage.
Media, July 28, 2008

MS NBC features Fine Art Registry® auction story regarding Park West Gallery  
MS NBC article features Fine Art Registry® art auction story from The New York Times in an article entitled The worst place on a cruise ship - Avoid buyer's remorse: Beware deceptive practices at the art auction. Thank you, MSNBC and Anita Dunham-Potter for raising public awareness about this serious public policy concern.
Media, July 21, 2008

Fine Art Registry® featured on Art Print Issues Blog  
Art Print Issues blog entry features Fine Art Registry® in an article entitled Cruise Ship Art Auctions FAR from Smooth Sailing.
Media, July 20, 2008

Fine Art Registry® featured in The New York Times  
The Arts section of The New York Times features Fine Art Registry® in an article entitled Art Auctions on Cruise Ships Lead to Anger, Accusations and Lawsuits published on July 16, 2008.
Media, July 16, 2008

Park West Gallery Spin Doctors at Work on New PR Campaign
Well, it would seem that Park West is getting a little desperate about the search engine and website PR situation. You can't search for anything to do with Park West without instantly coming across the stories by people who have been scammed by Park West.
News, July 1, 2008

Park West Gallery completely ignored Fine Art Registry phone requests last year for information and interviews with key Park West Gallery representatives concerning reported Park West Gallery deceptive trade practices.
Fine Art Registry is fair and balanced. We like to get all sides of the story and so we made good faith efforts to see if Park West Gallery would cooperate. Did Park West Gallery tell us their side of the story? NOT A CHANCE.
News, June 18, 2008

Fine Art Registry Retains Michigan Legal Firm, Kaufman, Payton and Chapa to Represent them Against Meritless Suit from Art Dealer, Park West Gallery
Global Fine Art Registry, LLC. has retained the Michigan legal firm of Kaufman, Payton & Chapa to represent them against Park West Gallery defamation and slander suits filed in Michigan.
Press Room, May 27, 2008

The Art Authentication Credential: The Authentic, the Questionable and the Fraudulent
The authentication of a work of fine art usually takes place under the purview of an art expert. The individual may specialize in scientific analysis, provenance or document support, and/or connoisseurship.
Article, May 23, 2008

Park West Gallery and Park West at Sea Attempt to Silence Consumer Advocacy Group with Strong Arm Legal Tactics
Park West Galleries, a Michigan based company best known for selling art on board cruise ships, has filed a series of lawsuits against the consumer advocacy group which spoke out regarding reports of inflated prices, misrepresentations and deceptive trade practices on CBS's Inside Edition in February of this year.
Press Room, April 23, 2008

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Fine Art Registry® Investigative Reports
For more information and articles check out the Fine Art Registry® Investigative Reports at www.FineArtRegistry.com.
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Discuss topics and the latest news in the world of art on the Fine Art Registry® Forum.

Salvador Dali Fakes, Investigation by Fine Art Registry®
Fine Art Registry® investigates and gathers information about the graphic works of Salvador Dalí and publish everything we find on the website, www.SalvadorDaliFakes.com, so that our members and the general public can educate themselves on the subject with a view to avoiding the pitfalls and traps set for the unwary by unscrupulous dealers who sell fake art as genuine.

Fine Art Forensics, Investigation by Fine Art Registry®
Fine Art Registry® is not in the business of forensics in art. We are in the business of honesty and transparency in the art world. That is our sole interest in the investigate efforts of art forensic cases.

Art Auctions & Art Classifieds, by Fine Art Registry®
Fine Art Registry® online art auctions and classifieds.

Art Video Site, FAR® Web Video™
Fine Art Registry® online art videos, art media, and documentary investigation videos.