Learning Copyright Laws

Most art piracy cases never reach the courts because infringement is difficult to prove or artists can’t afford expensive lawsuits. Admirers of the late Lorser Feitelson’s paintings, for example, have noted a similarity between his “lineform” abstractions and the twisted ribbon-like design on Coca-Cola cans, but the likeness has never been legally challenged. Neither has the similarity between one of Matt Mullican’s images and the logo on Max Studio clothing.

Such situations seem to be part and parcel of the creative world, but in an increasingly complex and litigious society, artists are finding that the only way to protect their income, their art and credit for their work is to get smarter about copyright law.

California Lawyers for the Arts aims to aid that effort. The nonprofit organization, with offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, offers copyright clinics as a regular part of its services which include other educational programs, lawyer referrals, book publishing and a resource center.

“Artists are an under-represented minority. They’re not getting the information they should have on copyrights and other issues, but it’s hard to reach them,” said Gregory Victoroff. “California Lawyers for the Arts now has an office that artists can walk into, a place where they can become aware of their rights so don’t have to run to a high-priced lawyer every time they have a little copyright problem.”

Biweekly copyright clinics are scheduled on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month of this year (except March 25, May 27, Nov. 25 and Dec. 23). The Los Angeles location is 315 W. 9th St., Suite 1101; (213) 623-8311). San Francisco clinics are at Ft. Mason Center, Building C, Room 255; (415) 775-7200.

Cost for drop-in consultations between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. is $10 for members of California Lawyers for the Arts, $20 for nonmembers. The Beverly Hills Bar Assn. also offers one-day courses in copyright law. Information: (213) 553-6644.