Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Are you an artist interested in legal issues? A lawyer interested in the arts? Then check out MdVLA Arts Brief. Published by Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Arts Brief is loaded with articles and tips on legal and business matters for artists of all disciplines.

MdVLA Arts Brief — Spring 2012 (PDF / 800K)

CA Resale Royalites Act Ruled Unconstitutional
Spray Paint Artist Wins Right to Work on Boardwalk
Court Says B-Ball Cheers Not Covered by Copyright
Collector Sues Photographer Over Limited Edition Reprints
Why I Tearfully Deleted My Pinterest Inspiration Boards

MLA Arts Brief — Fall 2011 (PDF / 600K)

Artists Sue Auction Houses for Resale Royalties
Philip K. Dick Estate Sues Makers of 'Adjustment Bureau'
Village People Composer Seeks to Recapture Copyright
The Billion Dollar Hot Dog Stand
Copyright Office to Study Small Claims Solutions
Fight Over Superhero Copyrights to Second Circuit
Photographer LaChapelle Settles Suit Against Rihanna

MLA Arts Brief — Summer 2011 (PDF / 800K)

Court Says Mr. Brainwash Infringed Run-DMC Photo
Tattoo Artist Settles Suit Over "Hangover" Ink
High Court to Rule on Law Removing Foreign Works From Public Domain
The Crowd Roars: Crowdfunding for Artists
First Person: Kind of Screwed

MLA Arts Brief — Spring 2011 (PDF / 1M)

Prince's Use of Photos of Rastas Not Fair Use
Wildflower Garden Cannot Be Copyrighted
Koons Settles Suit Over Balloon Dog Bookends
AP, Fairey, Obey Settle Claims Over Obama ‘Hope’
Catfish Makers Sued Over Film’s Use of Song
Code for Best Practices In Fair Use for Poetry Issued
Judge Strikes Down Google Book Settlement

MLA Arts Brief — Fall/Winter 2010 (PDF / 540K)

Fiscal Sponsorships: How to Get Tax-Deductible Donations without Nonprofit Status
Insure Your Art
Business Loans for Artists
Reach the Copyright Office
Hexagon’s No-PRO Policy Avoids Fees, Fosters Creativity
Americans for the Arts President Urges Post-Election Action

MLA Arts Brief — Summer 2010 (PDF / 1.3M)

New Freedoms for Artists Using Encrypted DVD Movies
MLA Celebrates 25th With Video Contest
$675,000 Piracy Verdict Reduced as Unconstitutional
2 Live Crew Member Endorses High Court Nominee
First Amendment Protection Limited to Great Works of Art?
Arizona Artists React To New Immigration Law
Photographer Says Filmmaker, Smithsonian Infringed Copyright
Plant Owner Sues Gallery That Removed Banksy Mural
Congressional Subcommittee Adopts NEA Budget Increase

MLA Arts Brief — Spring 2010 (PDF / 1M)

Crucial IRS Deadline For Small Non-Profits
Band Partnership Agreements Key to Avoiding Dissonance
High Court Reinstates Settlement in Freelancers’ Infringement Suit
Court Tosses Injunction Halting 'Catcher' Retelling
Court: Stamp Not Fair Use of Vets Statue
Love Sculpture at Issue in Federal Court
Photographers Associations Sue Google for Copy-right Infringement

MLA Arts Brief — Winter 2010 (PDF / 1M)

MLA Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Visual Artists Rights Act Applies to Unfinished Art
Web Site Matches Artists with Backers
Record Companies Sue Vimeo Over Lip-Dubbing Videos
Proposed Google Settlement Could Affect All Writers
More Free Legal Help for Bloggers, Journalists
Photographer Seeks Dismissal of Sculptor’s Infringement Suit
Shepard Fairey Subject of Criminal Investigation
Art Car-Planter Not Protected by VARA or First Amendment

MLA Arts Brief — Fall 2009 (PDF / 515k)

Avoiding Gripes About Your Parody Web Site
Chamber of Commerce Sues Yes Men Over IP
Fairey Admits Lying About "Hope" Photo
Ethical Challenges for Documentarians
Sports Artist Wins One in Trademark Case
Appeals Court Rules for Thomas the Tank Photographer
Copyright Alliance Urges Obama to Support Artists' Rights

MLA Arts Brief — Summer 2009 (PDF / 400k)

21st Century Holden Caulfield Put on Hold by New York Court
Filmmaker Sings the Blues: A Cautionary Copyright Tale
Jailhouse Rock: Keeping Your Film Out of Copyright Jail
Photographer Intervenes in 'Hope' Poster Suit
Case to Decide if Photo of Sculpture on Postal Service Stamp Was Fair Use

MLA Arts Brief — Spring 2009 (PDF / 815k)

Electronic Frontier Foundation's Guide to YouTube Removals
Confessions of an Aca-Arta-Femi-Fan
Confession Heard
AP, Fairey Allege Hypocrisy, Double Standard, Unclean Hands
Top Ten Estate Planning Tips for the Artist (and Collector)

MLA Arts Brief — Winter 2009 (PDF / 950k)

Whitehouse.gov Adopts Creative Commons License
Art and Architecture: The Limits of Protection
Artist Files VARA Suit For Damage to Highway Mural
SPEAK UP! Arts Could Benefit from Economic Stimulus Package
UPDATE! Harry Potter Lexicon Rewritten to Follow Court’s Road Map
Crafters Concerned Over New Lead Testing Law
Photographer Sues Prince, Gagosian, Rizzoli Over Use of 'Yes Rasta' Photos

MLA Arts Brief — Fall 2008 (PDF / 772k)

Artists Who Play Fair May Still Pay a Price
Prince Goes Crazy Over YouTube Use
McCain Campaign to YouTube: Review First, Take Down Later
Arts Action Fund Releases Report Card on Candidates
Orphan Works Act Abandoned by House
Discuss Amongst Yourselves: Donating Your Art
Harry Potter Lexicon Infringes Rowlings's Copyright
Suggestion Box: An Idea on Cleared Artwork for Local Artists and Filmmakers

MLA Arts Brief — Summer 2008 (PDF / 829k)

Imagine Fair Use: Lennon vs. Premise Media
The Orphan Works Act: Easier for Users or More Difficult for Artists?
The Right of Publicity: How Not to Go Wrong
You, Youtube, and Copyright: Fair Use in Online Video
College Cost Reduction Act: Loan Relief for Nonprofit Workers
Do Art and Wine Mix? Consult Your Local Liquor Laws

MLA Arts Brief — Spring 2008 (PDF / 1Mb)

Ann Arbor Film Festival Wins Free Speech Fight
MLA Client Spotlight
Filmmakers and Fair Use: Statement of Best Practices
What the Maryland Film Office Wants You to Know About Filming on Location in Maryland
Music in Film: Making the Deal
Top Ten Ways to Find Film Festival Acceptance

MLA Arts Brief — Winter 2008 (PDF / 884k)

Artists & Moral Rights: Do You Have Any?
MLA Client Spotlight
ASCAP: Pay to Play?
Artist-Museum Partnership Act: Sixth Time's the Charm?
Writers, Take Note! Failure to Register Copyright May Mean You Don't Get Your Day in Court
Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Art Sales