You may remember the controversy last year over Long Island City graffiti hotspot "5Pointz" being demolished by the property owner in order to pave the way for two luxury high rises.

For the artist community, fans of street art and passersby alike, it felt like defeat, like the end of something. Though let's not forget that art is not forever.

But to add insult to injury, G&M Realty, the real estate outfit developing the property, are seeking to continue calling the site 5Pointz. 

It's kind of absurd, and "ironic that the same corporation which single-handedly destroyed all the artwork known as 5Pointz is trying to capitalize on its name," says Marie Cecile Flageul, a volunteer and spokeswoman for the 5Pointz artists.

But the plot thickens: the group of artists who curated the property during its time as a street art mecca never actually trademarked the name "5Pointz." 

So despite the fact that their collective creative efforts are what comes to mind when anyone says "5Pointz," the name was legally up for grabs and G&M Realty seized the opportunity to register it.

Filed July 6th, "the State's Department of Records confirmed it approved a servicemark for '5Pointz.'" Now, a servicemark is basically a trademark for "an entity that provides a service," rather than "companies that provide a product."

So, as it stands, G&M Realty are within their rights to refer to their upcoming luxury high rise condo buildings the same way everyone's always referred to the ubiquitous graffiti monument that existed in the same place just a year ago. 

Messed up, right?

tonizampa #graffiti #5pointz #building

"'The bottom line is, we're going to use the name 5Pointz on my buildings,' said Jerry Wolkoff, an owner of the developer company G&M Realty." 

But there is-- kind of-- a silver lining. According to Wolkoff, once building is completed, the artists will be welcomed back to the property.

The new structures are slated to include artist studios and designated walls for artwork.

So really, it could be worse. The people responsible for demolishing one of New York City's greatest art destinations can legally call their new condos the same name, but they'll, like, have some art there or something too...

Check Out These New Plans for the Hudson River’s Pier 57.