The value of 22 Year Old French Fries

There are some court decisions which make your stomach turn. Generally they involve scandals involving food hygiene - Germany is currently gripped by reports of mouse pooh and cockroaches in one of Bavaria's major bakery chains (Müller). An English summary available here. It's rare that such decisions have an IP angle (although the value of the Müller bakery brand has probably plummeted in value with every report in the press or on TV) Whilst the average Münchner (as the good inhabitants of Munich) are known was discussing how often she or he brought bread from the local Müller shop, the Upper District Court in the Bavarian capital was pondering the value of two 22 year old french fries (or chips to those of UK/Australian heritage). EUR 2,000 (in other words EUR 1,000 each).

Now - this author quite likes eating chips (preferably with fish) and generally prefers them to be quite fresh. He's not entirely sure how good 22 year old ones would taste. However, these chips which occupied the legal eagles in Munich formed the basis of a piece of art which showed two chips arranged in the from of a crucifix (photo here).

German artist Stefan Bohnenberger developed the sculpture for the Munich Gallery Mosel & Tschechov and the piece was displayed in a one man show in 1990 (see catalogue). Bohnenberger later parted ways with the Gallery and asked for his chips back. He got the original gold piece returned to him, but the samples were no longer available (presumably either eaten at an earlier stage - or placed in the rubbish bin). Hence the dispute - just what is the value of some old chips. Fortunately a witness was found who would have been prepared to pay no less than EUR 2500 for the chips - had they been offered to her. The court - in its generous way - found that EUR 2,000 was about the right level of compensation.

Apparently the gallery owner still has some older chips should anyone be interested....