Agenda
1:00pm to 2:30pm
Introduction & Welcome
Elena M. Paul, Executive Director, VLA
Alexei O. Auld, Director of Legal Services, VLA
A. Your Arts Business
Your artistic and creative activities may be exposing you to liability. Threshold issues for musicians and composers include deciding if, and when, to set up a formal legal entity for your activities, and deciding between the for-profit and not-for-profit corporate models. Tax information will also be provided.
B. Intellectual Property
If you create, perform or work with music, you are dealing with intellectual property assets. So, it’s key for you to understand the law that governs these assets. This segment will cover the general standards for copyright protection; moral rights; registration; ownership and authorship; infringement and remedies; works for hire; fair use; licensing; and protection duration. This segment will also touch on trademark law and the importance of policing and protecting your service and trademarks.
C. Contract Basics & Negotiation
Contracts define and organize your relationships with others whether or not you realize it, since they may be oral or written. This segment will explain the standard for legally enforceable contracts, and will cover the additional terms that are recommended to be a part of your contracts. In addition, information about contract negotiations will be provided.
D. Next Steps
Week of May 21: Participate in the Blog for posting questions and comments.
May 29: One-on One Consultations: If you would like one of the 20 private consultations with the presenters that are a part of this program, you may request a consultation about a specific legal matter or concern through the Blog by posting a request. Please include your phone number in that request so VLA staff may contact you to get more details about the matter and schedule the appointment if it’s found to be an appropriate way to address the matter. (Please note that if VLA finds the matter outside of its expertise or mission, better suited to another resource, or, in cases of conflict of interest, you may be referred to another resource for assistance.)
Materials
Presentation Notes
Tax Preparation & Planning for Visual Artists
Example of a Release
Handout
Ask The Lawyer: Legal and Business Issues for Artists
Seven Elements of Negotation
Web Resources
NYPL, Small Business Research Guide
OPAL, Online Permit Assistance and Licensing, Home
U.S. Copyright Office
United States Patent and Trademark Office Home Page
Contract - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Procedures For Forming And Changing Not-For-Profit Corporations In New York State
Instructions for forming a not-for-profit corporation
Free Complete Toolkit for Boards
Board Member Resources
Instructor Biographies
Elena M. Paul
Alexei Ormani Auld
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Information
Press Release
2-Day Film School
Bootcamp Flyer
2007 Workshop Dates
VLA Membership Form
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