LEGAL TOPICS FOR ARTISITS

[otis]

I think we should add a new forum regarding any legal questions in the art field such as , licencing, copyrights, branding, contracts, and basic artist rights. Too many artists don't seem to have a clue about their rights. If we all started sharing advice, and connections in this area, a bunch of artists could save themsleves from a lot of time and pain in being taken advantage of. Your art is only worth as much as you make it.

Then maybe we could get some lawyers who represent artists to hit this forum and share some advice. Believe it or not guys and gals, there are agencies that represent artists free of charge!

:chug:

[tarwater]

Very good idea. Not enough artists are clued into that kind of thing.

[pconsidine]

That's a very fine idea. In all the years I studied art, you know how much legal and professional education I got? Three hours. And that was only because one of the teachers I had took it upon himself to spend half a class talking about it. There are many many ways for an artist to make a living. God knows someone should start talking about them, right?

For what it's worth, the Graphic Artists Guild has a lot of useful information on the topic, including their Contract Monitor (http://www.gag.org/contracts/contracts.html) and the Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines (http://www.gag.org/pegs/index.php). A great resource, even if you can't afford the membership dues (and really – which of us can?).

[gekitsu]

great idea, otis.
/me votes yes

[otis]

If more people show interest, I'll try to convince Jason to put it in the new site.

[el coro]

i thinkits a great idea.-c36

[Deth Jester]

good idea!

[Erik Asorson]

That's a great idea. As far as resources are concerned I'd recommend the Graphics Artist Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines. It has lots of good info on copyrights, contracts, industry practices, etc. You can get it at Amazon

[stalecracker]

Good idea.... Got my vote.

[Lono]

im interested aswell.

-Lono

[CENOBITE]

Let's say you dont have a contract with a gallery, and they just decide not to give back your work... you can take them to court. However they might say you gave them the work as a gift. What would you do then? Well, you would be sh*t out of luck. Sad thing is, I read about the exact same senario happened to an artist in New York.

Too many artist give into the idea that gallery curators or others are just 'cool' people that wont try to screw them over.

Well, my wife is still waiting for several hundred dollars to come from the gallery where she showed at. We probably will never see that money. Why? Because the owner will probably file for bankrupt. In which case we are the ones who will be sh*t out of luck.

The issues of BUSINESS PRACTICES, CONTRACTS, HEALTH ISSUES, and LEAGAL ADVICE are some of the most neglected issues artists usually dont want to deal with. But it should be a part of every artists concern.

I wholehartedly vote for having a forum dealing with the legal/buisness concerns for artists.

However, legal advice over a forum might not be aplicable in all states, or countries for that matter.

:argue:

[mcotie]

hell's yeah. sounds good.

[sepulveda]

even if legal advice might not be applicable in some states, it's still a great idea to try to learn as much as you can as an artist, and this might be a good start.

I just recently had the opportunity... more of a requirement, to learn about licensing, and contracts, and royalties due to a job I got, and eventhough it was a lot of reading, and researching, I can't say I had fun, but I sure as hell am a lot more informed on how to protect my rights as an artist, and how much more money you could generate with merchandising. and how to try to avoid getting screwed....I'm all for this new forum.