If you are looking for our original "COEXIST" design in all it's various incarnations, we hope to have it back on the site very soon. We owe it to you, our valued customers and kindred spirits to explain:
When I first designed my original version (which spawned the many variants seen here: S043, S091, S071, etc) it was without knowledge there was a company named "COEXIST,Llc." It was a collaborative effort based in a sincere feeling of hope that we could all "get along" in peace and cooperation.
While on holiday vacation, I opened an email around Christmas that was labeled "Cease and Desist - Coexist Logo." I'm including a copy of that document here. After researching the situation, it seems that even though my original designs vary greatly from the logo of this company, seen here: ImageAgentProxy.gif there is some question as to whether my design may create "confusion in the marketplace."
I have since complied and removed most of my original Coexist merchandise from this and my www.peacemonger.org websites. I suggest you may want to visit their website www.coexistonline.com and buy a shirt, scarf or sticker from Coexist, Llc. They also donate to charity, and I encourage you to research those non-profits as well: www.seedsofpeace.org and www.globalgreen.org.
It is my hope that owners of Coexist, Llc will allow me to continue selling my original versions while paying a licensing fee. I know you can find blatantly stolen versions of my designs and Coexist, Llc's as well by people who do not give anything to charity online. Please don't patronize these people! (Pjsanz on ebay, for example!) Feel free to weigh in on the situation. I am providing links to some articles below. It has come to my attention that Coexist, Llc has financially taken care of Piotr Mlodozeniec, a Polish artist whose 2001 design seen here: (coex_work_f21.jpg) was commissioned by the Museum on the Seam http://www.coexistence.art.museum/eng/Index.asp in Jerusalem. I must salute both Mr. Mlodozeniec and the Coexist, Llc people who's vision for a peaceful planet parallel my own.
I seem to have entered a stream of consciousness which spans the globe with it's message of peace and respect. Inasmuch as I sincerely never intended to use another person's intellectual property, and have been copied myself as an artist many times before, it is my hope and wish, in the words of one Coexist,Llc owner, "Our goal is to promote harmony. The idea is that we can all coexist together."
Thanks for your continued support and patience!
Articles for your review:
U2 online fanzine: http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=3995
An independent blog:
http://faithasawayoflife.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/religiously_inc.html
Please keep in mind these are old articles and much has happened (and continues to unfold) since they
were written. If you are inspired to write an op-ed or blog piece of your own, please send me a copy:
jjaspar@msn.com
