For our last session of 2019, we will be taking a look at two different but related areas; how does the First Amendment protect artwork and artists, and what rights do people have when examining privacy and publicity?

Is artwork considered protected free speech under the First Amendment? Can the government censor obscene art? What about indecent art? Can eBay remove images it finds politically offensive? What about lies--can you publish a picture that supposedly shows Donald Trump french kissing the pope? We will answer these questions and many more in our presentation on art and the First Amendment.

Everyone has a right to privacy.  You can't hide a camera in someone's bedroom and broadcast the video on the internet. Everyone also has a right to publicity. You can't use someone's image to promote your product without their permission. Of course, these are extreme examples. This presentation will cover some the gray areas in between. When and where can you publish images of celebrities? What about "regular" people? And how do the rights to privacy and publicity conflict with your First Amendment right to free speech?

The RSVP function for this event will open soon!

Following up on the foundation of our October session, we will be tackling one of the most popular sessions of the year when we take a look at fair use; what does it mean, when does it protect you, and what are the latest developments in the law?Additionally, in November we will be talking about the practical effects of owning a copyright. What do you do when you are infringed? When do lawyers need to get involved? All these questions and more will be answered! This session will run an extra 30 minutes with discussion continuing until 2:00pm!

The RSVP function for this event will open soon!

In October and November, we will be taking a deep dive into Copyright in two SUPERSIZED sessions. For October we will be setting the stage by learning all we can about copyright, its origins, what is eligible for protection, how to register, how long copyrights last, and so much more. This session will run an extra 30 minutes with discussion continuing until 2:00pm!

The RSVP function will open soon!

Every artist and creative needs to know the basics of marketing, because without that, you are just creating in a cave. Starting with your vision and mission, and moving to how to present yourself to the world through social media, websites, and more, in this session Tom Maddrey will be walking you through what you need to know to make your creative business successful. 

The RSVP function will open soon!

For this critically important topic, Michael and Tom will be bringing in a heavy-hitter tax preparer and consultant to many artists to help explain the ins-and-outs of what artists and creatives need to know about taxes. Mark

The RSVP function will open soon!

In this brand-new session for 2019, Tom and Michael will take a look at one of the most prolific licensing models currently in use, Creative Commons. While examining how to use these assets, they will also examine the broader landscape of royalty-free, usage-limited, and other ways to license work. Whether you are someone who creates content to license, or finds existing content to use in your projects, this course will make these structures easy to understand so you can go and create!

Click HERE to RSVP!

Smack in the middle of Dallas Arts Month and the Dallas Art Fair, our April session will examine the relationship between artists, their galleries, and the collectors that buy the work. This totally revamped session for 2019 will include sample contracts and agreements for you to use, as well as cautionary tales of what not to do when working with a gallery or collector!

Click HERE to RSVP

Most people, and maybe artists especially, think contracts are awful and want to avoid them at all costs. But as we will explain, this is a mistake based on a misunderstanding. Contracts are everywhere and they're unavoidable. Indeed, virtually every agreement you make with someone is a contract, even if it's not in writing. Sometimes it's okay if the agreement is simply a handshake, but not always. In this presentation, we will talk about when and why certain agreements should be written and explain that they don't have to be written in gobbledy-gook legalese.

Click HERE to RSVP.

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 45 RSVP's ***

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an informational Creative Lunch + Learn!

This is our version of “stump the chumps.” Bring your questions about the business of art and legal issues facing creatives, and we’ll do our best to answer them. It’s all fair game!

We will also be adding a few stories from recent cases and clients to help illustrate some of the things we have discussed.

This seminar will be held at The Cedars Union, 1201 S Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75215.

The RSVP for this event will open on November 15, 2018.

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 45 RSVP's ***

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an informational Creative Lunch + Learn!

Very few people want to end up in court, on either side. In this session, we will discuss the various levels of the judicial system, how to stay out of court, and most importantly, what to do when a dispute arises.

This seminar will be held at The Cedars Union, 1201 S Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75215.

The RSVP for this event will open on October 11, 2018.

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 45 RSVP's ***

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an informational Creative Lunch + Learn.

In this “supersized” session, Michael and Tom will take an intensive look at copyright, its origins, the steps you need to take to protect yourself, and what to do if you have had your work infringed. Our most popular course of the year, you don’t want to miss this one.

This seminar will be held at The Cedars Union, 1201 S Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75215.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 45 RSVP's ***

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an informational Creative Lunch + Learn!

Everyone has a right to privacy.  You can't hide a camera in someone's bedroom and broadcast the video on the internet. Everyone also has a right to publicity. You can't use someone's image to promote your product without their permission. Of course, these are extreme examples. This presentation will cover some the gray areas in between. When and where can you publish images of celebrities? What about "regular" people? And how do the rights to privacy and publicity conflict with your First Amendment right to free speech?

This seminar will be held at The Cedars Union, 1201 S Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75215.

RSVP HERE

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 45 RSVP's ***

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an informational Creative Lunch + Learn!

Most people, and maybe artists especially, think contracts are awful and want to avoid them at all costs. But as we will explain, this is a mistake based on a misunderstanding. Contracts are everywhere and they're unavoidable. Indeed, virtually every agreement you make with someone is a contract, even if it's not in writing. Sometimes it's okay if the agreement is simply a handshake, but not always. In this presentation, we will talk about when and why certain agreements should be written and explain that they don't have to be written in gobbledy-gook legalese.

This seminar will be held at The Cedars Union, 1201 S Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75215.

Click HERE to download the notes from this presentation.

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 45 RSVP's ***

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an informational Creative Lunch + Learn!

Creatives are often asked to provide their work for others to use as the basis for products. What do you have to think about in these situations? In this session, we will discuss licensing agreements and other ways to commercialize your work safely and profitably.

This seminar will be held at The Cedars Union, 1201 S Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75215.

Click below to view this presentation.

COMMERCIALIZING YOUR WORK

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 45 RSVP's ***

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an informational Creative Lunch + Learn!

Is artwork considered protected free speech under the First Amendment? Can the government censor obscene art? What about indecent art? Can eBay remove images it finds politically offensive? What about lies--can you publish a picture that supposedly shows Donald Trump french kissing the pope? We will answer these questions and many more in our presentation on art and the First Amendment.

This seminar will be held at The Cedars Union, 1201 S Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75215.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), please click below.

RSVP HERE

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 30 RSVP's ***

In 2018 Arts Counsel Texas will be partnering with The Cedars Union to bring you monthly Lunch + Learns. Led by Michael Heinlen and Thomas Maddrey, these Lunch + Learns will discuss legal and business scenarios facing artists and creatives.

Join Arts Counsel Texas and The Cedars Union for an introductory discussion about the upcoming Lunch + Learn season.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), please click below.

RSVP HERE

This is our version of “stump the chumps.” Bring your questions about the business of art and legal issues facing creatives, and we’ll do our best to answer them. It’s all fair game!

This year we will be adding a few stories from recent cases and clients to help illustrate some of the things we have discussed.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

In this Lunch and Learn, attorney Thomas Maddrey of Maddrey PLLC will be discussing two topics he often gets questions about: the use of trademarks for artists, and the best practices for artists to promote their work on social media. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions and gain some inside knowledge about the best way to cover these topics!

This seminar will be held at the offices of Thompson & Knight, 1722 Routh St., Ste. 1500, Dallas, TX 75201.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

In this unique session, attorneys Michael Heinlen and Thomas Maddrey present a back and forth discussion about what makes a work “transformative” in the eyes of the courts and in the eyes of the art community. Short presentations of each side will give way to a group discussion on the nature of transformation both in art and in the law.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

Every artist fears doing the “wrong” thing. Whether that is in signing a poorly written contract, accepting money personally instead of through your business, or myriad other possible mistakes. In this unique session, a panel of an attorney, and accountant, and an artist will discuss their views on the thing that are hardest to remedy, and ways to avoid trouble in the future.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

So you have been asked (or have approached) and art gallery and you think a gallery show of your work is upcoming. What do you do now? What do you have to think about? In this session, attorneys and gallery owners discuss the benefits and perils of your first (or hundredth) gallery show.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

In this session focused on everything from short films to full-length features, attorney Brent Turman will discuss topics such as: using film in your business, the contracts unique to this industry, location, model, and property releases, and much more.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

In this session, Thomas Maddrey will discuss the basics of copyright law that every artist needs to know. Topics covered will include What Can Be Copyrighted, Registration, Remedies, and a chance to ask questions about your own work. Don’t miss this our most popular class.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

Every business needs a few things, and this session will have attorney Michel Heinlen discuss the most important of those - contracts and releases. From what makes a contract valid, to examples of simple documents you can use today, this is a course that every artist needs to attend. As we like to say, whether you think you are or not, you are running a business!

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 40 RSVP's ***

This is our version of “stump the chumps.” Bring your questions about the business of art and legal issues facing creatives, and we’ll do our best to answer them. It’s all fair game!

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 40 RSVP's ***

Internet piracy is rampant. It is easier to infringe copyrights today than it has ever been. With just a point and a click, someone can take an image from your website and repost on other sites or otherwise use it without your permission. Indeed, Google receives more than 2 million requests everyday from copyright owners demanding that Google remove links to sites with infringing copies of their works. This presentation offers information and advice about: (1) how to prevent your work from being taken; and (2) what to do when you learn that it has been taken.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 40 RSVP's ***

Drone photography has taken off (sorry). But it can easily land you in trouble if you’re not careful (sorry again). This presentation deals with a number of legal issues related to drones, such as: restrictions on where they can be flown; registration requirements; privacy concerns; commercial vs. recreational use of images and videos taken from drones; and liability for damages caused when they crash.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 40 RSVP's ***

Everyone has an exclusive right to exploit their identity for commercial gain; this is called the right of publicity. But does this mean you can’t take someone’s picture or include her image in your work without permission? Maybe. But maybe not. As is often the case, it depends. It depends, for instance, on where the person lives, whether she’s a celebrity, how you’re using her image, and, if she’s dead, when she died. This presentation discusses such questions and offers guidance about how to get permission when it’s required. 

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 40 RSVP's ***

Taxes may be a necessary evil, but a little understanding can ease some of the pain they cause. In fact, it can even save you some money. This presentation, for example, discusses art-related deductions that can reduce your income taxes and explains how to make them work for you. It also addresses questions related to charitable giving, sales taxes, art trades, and other issues that can either help you or haunt you if you’re not aware or paying attention.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862. 

*** LIMITED TO FIRST 40 RSVP's ***

This is the second of two presentations about marketing your work. This time we’re discussing issues related to potential clients and the galleries you work with to get your art into their collections. What, for instance, are galleries looking for? What do they want and how can you best meet their needs? Likewise, who are the collectors you want to impress and what do they want? Equally important, what should you avoid doing or saying when communicating with galleries and potential clients? The answers to questions like these is key to developing a market for your art.

To RSVP for this seminar and reserve lunch (because they always fill up), send an email to Tom Maddrey at tbm@maddreypllc.com, or give his office a call at 214-702-9862.