STRASBOURG, France—The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has decided that blue-chip artist Jeff Koons's rights were not violated by Italy's decision to let his ex-wife Ilona Staller retain custody of their son, reports Bloomberg.

Koons and Staller, who is also known as "La Cicciolina" and was formerly a porn star and member of the Italian parliament, have fought over custody of their son since they divorced in 1994. Koons argued that Italian authorities are denying his rights with respect to family life by giving Staller custody of their son and blocking him from visiting the U.S. The court disagreed and said Italian authorities "made every effort to protect the higher interests of the child," given the "difficult situation marked by constant disagreement between the parties and their inability to put their son's well-being first." In March, Staller sued Koons in New York to enforce an earlier Italian ruling concerning child support.