Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.8, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.

# Center for Art Law

At the intersection of visual arts and the law

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://itsartlaw.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Center for Art Law Articles](https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-articles/)
- [WYWH: 2026 CPAL Conference on Preserving Artists' Legacies (Day 2 of 3)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-2026-cpal-conference-on-preserving-artists-legacies-day-2-of-3/) - By Ian Silverstein On June 2, Day 2 of the Center for the Preservation of Artists’ Legacies (‘CPAL’) conference on preserving artist legacies hosted in the beautifully redesigned former studio and home of the New York artists Milton Resnjck and Pat Passlof began with opening remarks by CPAL director Joy Glidden in which she vividly
- [“Authentic” Forgeries: Chang Dai-chien and Chinese Copies](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/authentic-forgeries-chang-dai-chien-and-chinese-copies/) - Left: Chang Dai-chien, Four Geese attributed to Bada Shanren, hanging scroll; ink on paper Right: Zhu Da (Bada Shanren), Four Geese, hanging scroll; ink on paper By Lena Rohde Since the development of an English-language field of Chinese art history, scholars have grappled with the relationships between Chinese artists and the practice of copying, lauded
- [The Verdict on the Stolen Banksy](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/art-law-clipping-the-verdict-on-the-stolen-banksy/) - Banksy’s Balloon Girl By Cara Ianuale In November of 2025, a judge at London’s Kingston Crown Court sentenced 48-year-old Larry Fraser to thirteen months in jail for the theft of Banksy’s Balloon Girl print from Grove Gallery in London. Video surveillance footage captured Fraser using a hammer to break the gallery’s glass door at night
- [Collaboration in Cultural Heritage: Greater Questions of Digital Reconstructions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/collaboration-in-cultural-heritage-greater-questions-of-digital-reconstructions/) - March 22, 2014, from NYT March 27, 2016, released by Syrian Arab News Agency By Jacqueline Koutrodimos-Lewis The process of documenting and preserving cultural heritage in digital models takes on added pressure and implication during times of political conflict or humanitarian crises. Choosing which heritage artifacts to digitize and how to allocate resources involves practical
- [Who Owns Hollywood's Past? ](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/who-owns-hollywoods-past/) - By Center for Art Law Team Maybe it’s you? This story does not begin with: “It was the kind of Saturday morning that makes Zurich weather bearable in early spring, and my morning stroll took me to an unexpected place, a flea.” This is a story about finding artifacts in a thrift store, in Brooklyn
- [Creative Financing Ideas: A Potential Sale of the Met Opera's Chagalls](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/creative-financing-ideas-a-potential-sale-of-the-met-operas-chagalls/) - By Halle O'Hern In January 2026, the Metropolitan Opera announced it may sell its two Marc Chagall murals, The Sources of Music and The Triumphs of Music.[1] The paintings are located in the Grand Tier of the opera house facing the plaza.[2] The giant thirty-six by thirty feet paintings were commissioned for the Metropolitan Opera
- [The Dorville Case: A Judicial Turn Facilitating the Restitution of Artworks Acquired During the French Occupation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-dorville-case-a-judicial-turn-facilitating-the-restitution-of-artworks-acquired-during-the-french-occupation/) - Edouard Vuillard, Fleurs en Pot, 1906 By Alexandra Kharchenko In November 2025, the Cour de Cassation (France's supreme court for judicial matters) rendered a positive decision, particularly regarding the restitution of artworks sold during the period of the French Occupation, making restitution easier for families who were victims of spoliation, even when the artworks are
- [Endowments for the Arts: Shrinking Legal and Economic Landscape of Federal Arts Funding](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/endowments-for-the-arts-shrinking-legal-and-economic-landscape-of-federal-arts-funding/) - By Lauren Stein Introduction For decades, public funding for the arts has been hotly contested.[1] The National Endowments for the Arts (NEA), established in 1965 has frequently been at the center of discussions concerning the scope of federal support for arts and culture. Critics of federal arts funding contend that government involvement may implicate First
- [Wish You Were Here: Professor Weller’s Introduction of the New Court of Arbitration for Nazi-Looted Cultural Property](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wish-you-were-here-professor-wellers-introduction-of-the-new-court-of-arbitration-for-nazi-looted-cultural-property/) - By Savannah Weiler and Amanda Buonaiuto On Wednesday the 28th of January, Bonn University’s Professor Matthias Weller hosted an online presentation introducing the new German Court of Arbitration for Nazi-Looted Cultural Property. As of the 1st of December 2025, this new Court of Arbitration has come in to replace the previous German Commission (Limbach Commission).
- [Canada pledges an artist’s resale royalty—can the United States follow "suite"?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/canada-pledges-an-artists-resale-royalty-can-the-united-states-follow-suite/) - The Enchanted Owl, 1960 courtesy of FirstArts.ca By Donyea James Canada may join the company of over eighty countries that incorporate an artist resale royalty as a statutory right for visual artists.[1] With the passage of the 2025 Budget, the Canadian government may soon provide a percentage of sales in the secondary market to Canadian
- [Art is Forever? How the Pandemic Spurred Transformations in Museum and Gallery Experiences and IP Considerations](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/art-is-forever-how-the-pandemic-spurred-transformations-in-museum-and-gallery-experiences-and-ip-considerations-2/) - ARTECHOUSE, New York (Picture Courtesy of Atreya Mathur) By Kelsey Clifford Art is a consistent escape from reality. When COVID-19 emerged and infiltrated each of our daily lives, physical art became all but inaccessible. Until, that is, art became more accessible than ever. In April 2020, a New York Times article reported that “[a]s the
- [Abraham and Isaac: Sculptures returned home after Spanish Supreme Court decision](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/abraham-and-isaac-sculptures-returned-home-after-spanish-supreme-court-decision/) - Abraham and Isaac, attributed to Maestro Mateo, Museo do Pobo Galego By Lucas Güimil Valdés Introduction In a recent ruling, 18 June 2025[1], the Supreme Court of Spain decided that two sculpture of Abraham and Isaac attributed to Maestro Mateo[2], originally part of the Portico of Glory of the Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral[3], must be
- [Changes in U.S. and U.K. Restitution Laws are Afoot, Museums are Worried, Claimants are Cautiously Optimistic, ADR Practitioners are Attentive - Where Does This Leave us?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/changes-in-u-s-and-u-k-restitution-laws-are-afoot-museums-are-worried-claimants-are-cautiously-optimistic-adr-practitioners-are-attentive-where-does-this-leave-us/) - Screenshots from The Institute of Art & Law and Congress.Gov, respectively By Marina Rastorfer An argument that has come up on numerous occasions over the years when discussing changes in restitution laws and repatriation is whether museums are at risk of losing their collections. This fear has recently been rekindled by a tinder, or two
- [The End of the Mask: Banksy, Anonymity, and What We Just Lost](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-end-of-the-mask-banksy-anonymity-and-what-we-just-lost/) - Digital creation by Nikoleta-Georgia Vlachaki By Afroditi Karatagli Anonymity as Condition, Not Absence The Reuters investigation into Banksy’s identity was published on March 13th, and it has been looming on our minds. According to the reporting, the artist behind the pseudonym is (and has always been) Robin Gunningham. Gunningham, a Bristol-born man, at some point,
- [Case Review: Bennigson v. Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-bennigson-v-solomon-r-guggenheim-foundation/) - Picasso, Woman Ironing, 1904, Guggenheim, New York By Lauren Stein and Donyea James On December 16, 2016, the outgoing president Barack Obama signed into law the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act.[1] The Act was “created to revive claims otherwise barred by the statute of limitations so that victims of the Holocaust atrocities and their
- [Are Muralists Artists? Legally, It Varies](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/are-muralists-artists-legally-it-varies/) - Credit: Diego Rivera, Still Life and Blossoming Almond Trees, California, available at Wikimedia Commons By Walker Schulte Schneider Murals, and the artists who paint them, are pillars of the art world. The story of art is one probably best told through muralists. Start at the beginning, for example: what are cave paintings if not murals?
- [WYWH: “Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Copyright Law”](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-art-lawyering-bootcamp-copyright-law/) - By Alexandra Kharchenko On February 4, 2026, the Center for Art Law hosted an in-person, full-day Art Lawyering Bootcamp focused on copyright law. The bootcamp was led by experienced art law attorneys specializing in copyright law, and provided participants—including attorneys, artists, and law students—with foundational legal knowledge relevant to advising visual artist clients. Through
- [The Modigliani Forgery Epidemic Strikes Again?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-modigliani-forgery-epidemic-strikes-again/) - Amedeo Modigliani, Portrait of Leopold Zborowski (1917) (fragment) By Vivianne Diaz On November 19, 2025, collector Charles C. Cahn Jr. sued Sotheby’s in the Supreme Court of New York, alleging breach of a written agreement concerning a work sold to him by the auction house in 2003.[1] “Portrait de Leopold Zborowski” The dispute revolves around
- [No Industry Seems Untouched by the AI Avalanche – Where Does AI Stand With ADR? Or Better Asked, Where Does ADR Stand With AI?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/no-industry-seems-untouched-by-the-ai-avalanche-where-does-ai-stand-with-adr-or-better-asked-where-does-adr-stand-with-ai/) - Screenshot from AAA AI Arbitrator Website By Marina Rastorfer Most discourses, no matter the field of interest, tend to have a catchphrase or a keyword that routinely gets applied – ‘human-centered’ seems to be the en vogue term circulating the discussions on AI and its use across different vocations. Particularly with regard to the use
- [The Spoils: A Fight for Nazi-Looted Art and the Weight of the Burden of Proof](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/the-spoils-a-fight-for-nazi-looted-art-and-the-weight-of-the-burden-of-proof/) - Poster for The Spoils (2024), directed by Jamie Kastner By Savannah Weiler Jamie Kastner’s 2024 documentary The Spoils explores the complex negotiations and setbacks Nazi-era restitution claimants face today, with negotiations and legal battles taking on increasingly politically motivated formats. The documentary follows the restitution negotiations between the Max Stern Art Restitution Project (MSARP) and
- [Regulation Without Legislation: Combatting Money Laundering in the U.S. Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/regulation-without-legislation-combatting-money-laundering-in-the-u-s-art-market/) - By William Yuen Yee Critics describe the art market as the “largest, legal unregulated industry” in the United States.[1] Lawmakers have repeatedly introduced federal legislation to impose anti-money laundering (AML) obligations on U.S. art market participants (AMPs), without success. Most recently, the bipartisan Art Market Integrity Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate in July 2025,
- [Book Review: "Museum Administration: Law and Practice" by Walter Lehmann (2022)](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/book-review-museum-administration-law-and-practice-2022/) - By Helen Boone According to Walter Lehmann, out of the 35,000 museums in the United States, only 50 maintain in-house counsel.[1] For those institutions without a lawyer on staff, it can be difficult to determine when a problem requires legal attention. Walter G. Lehmann’s Museum Administration: Law and Practice, already in its second edition, offers
- [Book Review: “All That Glitters: A Story of Friendship, Fraud and Fine Art" (2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/book-review-all-that-glitters-a-story-of-friendship-fraud-and-fine-art-2024/) - By Guest Writer All That Glitters: A Story of Friendship, Fraud and Fine Art by Orlando Whitfield is a compelling and thoroughly engaging recollection of the author’s former friendship with one of America’s most notorious art fraudsters, Inigo Philbrick. Although written as a memoir, it reads like a modern-day thriller because of the extraordinary behind
- [Legacy Over Licensing: How Artist Estates and Museums Are Redefining Control in the Digital Age](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/legacy-over-licensing-how-artist-estates-and-museums-are-redefining-control-in-the-digital-age/) - Robert Rauschenberg, Susan—Central Park N.Y.C. (II) (1951) By Josie Goettel When an artist passes, their estate is tasked with two seemingly conflicting tasks: to protect an artist’s work by exercising exclusive rights over them, and to disseminate their artwork to the public to establish a lasting legacy and placement in the art world. This dilemma
- [Flemish Government's Plan to Dismantle M HKA’s Collection in the Name of Centralization of Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/flemish-governments-plan-to-dismantle-m-hkas-collection-in-the-name-of-centralization-of-art/) - Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA) By Alexandra Kharchenko On October 6, 2025, the Flemish Government announced plans to transform the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA) into a Kunsthalle[1]— a center for art — which would lead the museum to lose its legal status as a museum and transfer its collection to
- [When Imitation is Not Flattery: Art Fakes, Forgeries, and the Market They Fool](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/when-imitation-is-not-flattery-art-fakes-forgeries-and-the-market-they-fool/) - Han van Meegeren, The Supper at Emmaus (1937) By Lauren Stein In 2014, the Swiss Fine Art Expert Institute (FAEI) estimated that up to 50% of all artwork circulating the market were either misattributed or forged.[1] While this figure, now more than ten years old, is frequently debated and often criticized as overstated, even a
- [Not so Sublime: What the Cancellation of Sherald's Retrospective Reveals About Curatorial Autonomy](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/not-so-sublime-what-the-cancellation-of-sheralds-retrospective-reveals-about-curatorial-autonomy/) - Presidential Portraits Unveiled Feb. 12, 2018 and a Past Exhibition that Never Was. By Rebecca Bennett Nearly seven years in the making, mid-career retrospective of Amy Sherald's works at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in DC was cancelled by the artist. Amy Sherald is well known for her intimate, effusive portraits asserting the place of
- [Let's Go, the Bayeux Tapestry: Legal Implications of Temporary Loan](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lets-go-the-bayeux-tapestry-legal-implications-of-temporary-loan/) - Credit: Bayeux Museum By Josie Goettel A Rare Journey In a historic decision, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has authorized a loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from its place in the Bayeux Museum to the British Museum in 2026.[1] This is the first time the tapestry returns to the UK in over 900 years.[2]
- [The Digital Fade: NFTs and the Future of Blockchain Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-digital-fade-nfts-and-the-future-of-blockchain-art/) - By Shaila Gray In September of 2025, auction house Christie’s announced that they would be closing their digital art department after 3 years of operation. This move, said by the company to be “a strategic decision to reformat digital art sales,” has sent shockwaves through the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and digital art markets, both of
- [Too Little, Too Late? Funding for Cultural Heritage Protection during Armed Conflict](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/too-little-too-late-funding-for-cultural-heritage-protection-during-armed-conflict/) - By Andrew Dearman There is never enough funding for the arts. Globally, cultural heritage institutions have long struggled with mounting costs and fixed or shrinking budgets; a burden that becomes especially acute during and after armed conflict. War-torn countries face economic crises, and traditional funding channels collapse.[1] Meanwhile, private donations towards emergency preservation initiatives remain
- [Art and Restorative Justice: Transformative Healing Through Expression](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-and-restorative-justice-transformative-healing-through-expression/) - By Madhulika Murali As of 2019, 5% of the world’s population resides in the territory of the United States.[1] However, the US prison population makes up 25% of the world’s prison population, with the country assuming the leader position in global incarceration rates.[2] Since the 1970s, incarceration in America has increased by 700%.[3] It is
- [Museum Administration and Employment Law in 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/museum-administration-and-employment-law-in-2020/) - By Sabrina Soffer The Brookings Institute national survey estimates losses of 2.7 million jobs and more than $150 billion in sales of goods and services for creative industries nationwide, representing nearly a third of all jobs in those industries and 9% of annual sales.[1] In addition to suffering from prolonged closures and lost revenue, during these
- [Cultural Property Protection Act](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cultural-property-protection-act/) - Players: Museums Ministry of Culture: Politicians: German Minister of Culture Monika Grütters 2014 Collectors: Dealers Artists: Gerhard Richter (-) Auction Houses: Ketterer Kunst (-) German Law: Unesco - Cultural heritage laws (general) 1955 -- Act to Prevent the Exodus of German Cultural Property 2008 -- Regulation of the register of valuable cultural property under the Act on the
- [Art-istic or Art-ificial? Ownership and copyright concerns in AI-generated artwork](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artistic-or-artificial-ai/) - By Atreya Mathur Credit: DALL·E 2; text prompts (left to right): painting of a robot holding justice scales; painting of a robot-artist painting flowers; painting of a robot reading a law book What does it take to be an artist in the 21st century? Can one create art with paint brushes, watercolors, or oil pastels?
- [Getting over Cash: A Guide to Noncash Charitable Donations](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/getting-over-cash-a-guide-to-noncash-charitable-donations/) - By Kamée Payton Charitable donations are integral to sustaining and expanding nonprofits, arts organizations, and cultural heritage institutions. With government funding decreasing and operational costs increasing, philanthropic giving is essential, now more than ever.[1] Since the current administration took office, one-third of museums nationwide have lost government grants and contracts.[2] These losses have set off
- [Australian Museums and Restitution: An Ongoing Revision](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/australian-museums-and-restitution-an-ongoing-revision/) - By Alexandra Taylor For the integrity of the memory it is good to have sound health and convenient digestion of the meats, and a mind free from other thoughts; it helpeth in much to make good divisions, for he that divideth things alright, can never err in the order of things. ~William Fulbeck, A Direction, or
- ["Legs": Art Law Issues Stand Out in a New Documentary](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/legs-art-law-issues-stand-out-in-a-new-documentary/) - By Adelaide Dunn In Sag Harbor, NY, a fiery local debate over a prominent artwork, which started in 2008 and still rages on, has led residents to consider exactly what it means to live in a small town with a big personality. Legs: A Big Issue in a Small Town (2015) is a documentary by
- [Against the Illusion: The Limits of Digital Repatriation in Restitution Debates](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/against-the-illusion-the-limits-of-digital-repatriation-in-restitution-debates/) - By Afroditi Karatagli Museums and cultural institutions increasingly use the language of digital repatriation[1] - the idea that returning digital surrogates of cultural heritage objects to source communities can serve as a modern form of restitution.[2] A high-resolution scan of a sacred mask, a 3D model of looted bronzes, or an online archive of Indigenous
- [Power of “x”: Legal Questions and Possibilities of Artist x Brand Collaborations](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/power-of-x-an-examination-of-the-legal-questions-and-possibilities-of-artist-x-brand-collaborations/) - A Louis Vuitton bag with Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa; an Alexander McQueen x Damien Hirst scarf collection; an Elsa Schiaparelli dress featuring Salvador Dalí’s lobster motif. By Natalie Kawam Yang Consider Mona Lisa – arguably one of the most recognizable paintings in Western art – printed on a canvas tote bag, the back of a t-shirt, a 5x7 postcard,
- [Book Review: "Lust on Trial: Censorship and the Rise of American Obscenity in the Age of Anthony Comstock" (2018)](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/book-review-lust-on-trial-censorship-and-the-rise-of-american-obscenity-in-the-age-of-anthony-comstock-2018/) - By Lauren Stein Amy Werbel's Lust on Trial: Censorship and the Rise of American Obscenity in the Age of Anthony Comstock offers a compelling portrait of Anthony Comstock, America’s first professional censor, and the moral crusades that defined his life. Werbel traces Comstock’s life from his childhood in New Canaan, Connecticut, where his Christian upbringing
- [Cooling Off or Cutting Off? The UK Consumer Act 2024 and Future of Charitable Memberships](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cooling-off-or-cutting-off-the-uk-consumer-act-2024-and-future-of-charitable-memberships/) - By Lauren Stein With reduction of government funding to the arts being an perennial issue, museums and other institutions rely on subscriptions for building up operating budgets. In the United Kingdom, Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC) became law on May 24, 2024, introducing reforms to consumer protection and competition law.[1] Officially described
- [On Duty of Auction Houses to Authenticate](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/on-duty-of-auction-houses-to-authenticate/) - By Vivianne Diaz The art market’s existence rests on authentication.[1] “[T]he market for artworks and artifacts only functions if these objects have a proper attribution to a specific creator or location of origin, date or period, and provenance.”[2] With so much at stake, authenticity disputes are likely to end up in court, where the evaluation
- [Can AI Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth? The Courts Aren’t Sure](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/can-ai-tell-the-truth-the-whole-truth-and-nothing-but-the-truth-the-courts-arent-sure/) - By Rebecca Bennett As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an increasingly ubiquitous presence across virtually every industry, legal systems are forced to grapple with the implications of this technology seeping into courtroom proceedings. The legal system plays a significant role in setting standards for ethical conduct surrounding evolving technologies, like AI. And while there have already
- [Don't Blame Me: How the Art Market Battles Forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fakes-how-the-art-market-battles-forgeries/) - By Shaila Gray In May of 2025, federal prosecutors revealed that 77-yers old Pennsylvania resident Carter Reese, once known for being Taylor Swift’s former neighbor, made news for running an illicit enterprise. In September, Reese pled guilty to selling forged works he falsely attributed to marquee names: Picasso, Warhol, and Basquiat, among others. Reese admitted
- [​​National Security and the Artist’s Role: Examining the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Hearing on Copyright Law and AI Training](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/national-security-and-the-artists-role-examining-the-senate-judiciary-committees-hearing-on-copyright-law-and-ai-training/) - By Katelyn Wang Since the nation’s founding, artists have shaped fundamental expression and governance. But in today’s AI driven landscape, the role of the artist is questioned in the name of national security. This tension was exemplified on July 16, 2025, when Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) declared before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime
- [The Louvre Heist in Context: Art Crime and Institutional Vulnerability](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-louvre-heist-in-context-art-crime-and-institutional-vulnerability/) - By Sarah Boxer Seven minutes. $102 million worth of jewels.[1] One of the most well-funded museums on earth, looted of its crown jewels in broad daylight.[2] On October 19, 2025, a team of four thieves used a truck-mounted goods lift to scale the Louvre’s façade from the Quai François-Mitterrand.[3] They forced open a second-floor window
- [The Velvet Underground v. The Andy Warhol Foundation -- DISMISSED](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-velvet-underground-v-the-andy-warhol-foundation-dismissed/) - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967), featuring the famous Banana Image/Banana Design designed by Andy Warhol, is the first album of the American rock band The Velvet Underground ("VU"). Decades after the legendary band broke up, it continues to license the Banana Design for consumer goods as well as use it to promote the group during reunion concerts.
- [Spotlight: India Pride Project and the Future of Art Restitution in India](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/spotlight-india-pride-project-and-the-future-of-art-restitution-in-india/) - By Atreya Mathur Imagine scrolling through Google Street View on your laptop, zooming in on an art gallery in New York, and among polished marble floors and glass display cases, you spot sculptures that should probably not be there. You see sculptures that were reported stolen years ago from temples in India, scattered across countries
- [WYWH: The Association for Research into Crimes Against Art’s 15th annual Amelia Conference on Art Crime](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-the-association-for-research-into-crimes-against-arts-15th-annual-amelia-conference-on-art-crime/) - By Tess A. Toland The Association for Research into Crimes Against Art (ARCA) hosted its 15th annual Amelia Conference on Art Crime on June 21–22, 2025, in Amelia, Italy. The weekend event brought together scholars, practitioners, and professionals dedicated to the global protection of art and cultural heritage for a series of lectures, collaborative dialogues,
- [Beyond “Due Diligence”: Closing Loopholes in the Global Antiquities Trade](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/beyond-due-diligence-closing-loopholes-in-the-global-antiquities-trade/) - By Sarah Boxer The global antiquities trade runs on paperwork. Export licenses, ownership histories, and dealer assurances are meant to guarantee legitimacy. Yet the Giacomo Medici and Gianfranco Becchina archives revealed what this paperwork often conceals: thousands of looted antiquities, photographed with soil still clinging to them, then funneled through traffickers, intermediaries, and donors into
- [Interview with Dr. Laurie Rush, Cultural Resource Manager at Fort Drum, New York](https://itsartlaw.org/interview/interview-with-dr-laurie-rush-cultural-resource-manager-at-fort-drum-new-york/) - Interview conducted by Kate Harrell MEET DR. LAURIE RUSH Dr. Laurie W. Rush is the key pioneer and advocate for Cultural Property Protection or "CPP" in military affairs, and her work has been transformative for the field. She is an Anthropologist and Archaeologist. She holds a BA from Indiana University Bloomington, an MA and PhD from
- [Case Review: Red Rothko Suit, a.k.a. Hoffman v. L&M Arts (TX)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-red-rothko-suit-a-k-a-hoffman-v-lm-arts-tx/) - By Chris Michaels, Esq. A private art sale involving a Rothko painting is the subject of a bitter lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas. Inadvertently, the dispute sheds light on the often hidden intricacies and nuance of confidential deals. Hoffman v. L&M Arts, et al, deals with an alleged breach of contract relating to
- [Training on Thin Ice: Thomson Reuters v. ROSS and the Future of Fair Use for AI Systems](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/training-on-thin-ice-thomson-reuters-v-ross-and-the-future-of-fair-use-for-ai-systems/) - By Atreya Mathur In 2020, Thomson Reuters, owner of the widely used legal research platform Westlaw, filed suit against ROSS Intelligence Inc., a start-up developing an AI-driven legal research tool. The dispute centers on Westlaw’s “Headnotes,”editorial summaries and points of law that precede judicial opinions on the platform.[1] In their complaint, Thomson Reuters alleged that
- [How to Catch a Criminal in the 21st Century and Why AI Might be Able to Help](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/how-to-catch-a-criminal-in-the-21st-century-and-why-ai-might-be-able-to-help/) - By Shelby Jorgensen There is a deep cultural fascination with art theft and forgeries – darlings of art crime. The classic image is that of a high-class, honorable thief in the night committing a heist worthy of Thomas Crown or the Ocean’s Eleven franchise. For forgers, Ken Perenyi and Elmyr de Hory have muddied enough
- [200 years later: Damien Hirst plans to “create” art posthumously DOT DOT DOT](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/200-years-later-damien-hirst-plans-to-create-art-posthumously-dot-dot-dot/) - By Alexa Donovan In late May 2025, Damien Hirst, born 1965, revealed estate plans that provide for the “creation” of art from beyond the grave.[1] Hirst, the famed leading figure of the Young British Artists,[2] is undoubtedly one of the most prolific contemporary creatives of our time.[3] He is best known for his unconventional artworks,
- [Booked and Sentenced: Rare Books, Real Heists, and Really Short Sentences](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/booked-and-sentenced-rare-books-real-heists-and-really-short-sentences/) - By Lauren Stein Introduction: The Unique World of Rare Book Crimes “‘If anyone take away this book, let him die the death; let him be fried in a pan; let the falling sickness and fever seize him; let him be broken on the wheel, and hanged. Amen.’”[1] This ominous warning inscribed into a twelfth-century Bible
- [Zurich Spotlight: Can the Art be Separated from … the Owner? How the Kunsthaus Museum is Addressing its Controversial Affiliations with National Socialism](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/spotlight-can-the-art-be-separated-from-the-owner-how-the-kunsthaus-museum-is-addressing-its-controversial-affiliations-with-national-socialism/) - By Vivika Gerogianni On July 11, 2023, visitors to the Kunsthaus in Zurich encountered an unexpected cyber hacking incident. The act was orchestrated by a group calling itself the Komitee Kunstraub Konfiskation Kommunikation (KKKK).[1] Usually, artworks in the museum’s Bührle Collection are accompanied by a QR code which directs the visitor to the provenance information
- [Rehearing with a Chance of Restitution: The Effects of Rainfall and Recent Developments on Rue Saint Honoré](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/rehearing-with-a-chance-of-restitution-the-effects-of-rainfall-and-recent-developments-on-rue-saint-honore/) - By Parsa Zaheri Something is stirring once again in connection with the Parisian street of Rue Saint-Honoré, as a legal case that was once thought to be entirely wrapped up is now budding from new legal developments. In 1939, Nazi officials compelled Lilly Cassirer, a Jewish woman from Berlin, to sell a painting by Camille
- [Property Law, Religious Ownership and International Heritage Obligations: the Legal State of the Saint Catherine’s Monastery at stake](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/property-law-religious-ownership-and-international-heritage-obligations-the-legal-state-of-the-saint-catherines-monastery-at-stake/) - By Vivika Gerogianni and Andrew Dearman Saint Catherine’s Monastery has stood at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt since its construction in the late 6th Century A.D. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, it holds unique significance to the three major Abrahamic religions and remains a popular pilgrimage destination.[1] However, a
- [Room 18 should be Empty: Is a permanent loan enough to resolve the Parthenon Marbles dispute?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/room-18-should-be-empty-is-a-permanent-loan-enough-to-resolve-the-parthenon-marbles-dispute/) - By Vivika Gerogianni An empty space in a museum has the power to tell a story of its own, because it is not the existence, but the lack thereof, which becomes the monument. This is the case in the Acropolis Museum in the heart of Athens, where the five Caryatid sisters are presented in such
- [The Institute of Art & Law Celebrates its 30th Anniversary](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/the-institute-of-art-law-celebrates-its-30th-anniversary/) - By Juliette Groothaert and Ava Mandele So far, 2025 has brought many changes to the art law community. From the continued rise of AI to defunding cultural institutions across the globe, from shuttering of institutions to deaths of colleagues and clients, it feels as though little has remained the same in recent years. Yet, amid
- [When Grants Become Grievances: Woodmere’s Battle for a Federal Grant](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/when-grants-become-grievances-woodmeres-battle-for-a-federal-grant/) - By Lauren Stein On August 26, 2025, the Woodmere Art Museum (Woodmere), a Pennsylvania nonprofit museum, filed a complaint alleging the federal government improperly terminated Woodmere’s Save America’s Treasures grant of $750,000. Woodmere named Donald J. Trump, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Keith Sonderling, the Acting Director of the IMLS, the U.S.
- [Welcome to the AML Regulations and the Art Market: Our Comparative Study by Jurisdiction (1st ed) is Published](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/aml-comparative-study-first-edition-2023/) - By Andrew Adams The art market’s reinventions, experimentations, and expansions in media, in collectability, in content, and in location create a constant churn of novel financial problems to solve and opportunities to seize. No surprise, then, that the art market presents the same novelties of form that characterizes other emerging financial markets, and indeed has
- [Case Review: Roberts v. Richard Beavers Gallery et al (2022) - on Artistic Tradition and Copyright Infringement](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-roberts-v-richard-beavers-gallery-et-al-2022-on-artistic-tradition-and-copyright-infringement/) - A lawsuit filed by artist Deborah Roberts against artist Lynthia Edwards and Richard Beavers Gallery in August of 2022 for “willful copyright infringement” raises the question of how artists working from the same cultural tradition can create innovative works. After Roberts denied Richard Beavers Gallery in displaying her work, the gallery marketed and displayed Edwards’s collages. In the original complaint filed by Roberts’s attorney Richard Calrida, they argue that the Beavers Gallery was duplicitous in displaying Edwards’s work as if it was Roberts’s art to “confuse potential buyers.” The complaint also accuses Edwards for purposely creating works in Roberts’s style. In addition to relief in damages in excess of $1 million, Roberts asks that Edwards's artwork be destroyed by the court. As of May 17, 2023 the case was still pending.
- [Art Basel to launch in Qatar - the imminent rise of the art fair?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-basel-to-launch-in-qatar-the-imminent-rise-of-the-art-fair/) - By Justine Chen Art Basel, founded by gallerists in 1970, is one of the leading platforms dedicated to connecting collectors, galleries and artists,[1] primarily through the showcase of its prestigious international art fairs. In addition to its flagship event held each June in Basel, Switzerland, the organisation expanded to Art Basel Miami Beach in 2002,
- [Digital Sourcing and Remixing: A Guide for the Public and Cultural Institutions on Creative Commons Licenses](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/digital-sourcing-and-remixing-a-guide-for-the-public-and-cultural-institutions-on-creative-commons-licenses/) - By Murphy Yanbing Chen Introduction—Copyright and Creative Commons Licensing Where does creativity come from? Like the legal principle of stare decisis, many artistic creations do not exist in a vacuum. Artists often look at and borrow from prior masters or their peers for inspiration. However, not all “visual borrowing” complies with copyright laws or licensing
- [Safeguarding Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expression Through Intellectual Property Systems](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/safeguarding-traditional-knowledge-and-traditional-cultural-expression-through-intellectual-property-systems/) - Traditional Knowledge ("TK") and Traditional Cultural Expression ("TCE") bear a record of the collective memories of indigenous people. They are stories not confined to writing. Instead, they are living, breathing, audiovisual narratives – intangible cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation. Even everyday practices such as drumming, weaving, tattooing, and storytelling bear artistic and historical value. They also provoke, invite, and ignite creativity and imagination for the modern audience while preserving, protecting, and inheriting from ancestral wisdom. Therefore, indigenous cultural materials[1] are no longer collectibles that can be colonized, cataloged, and securitized as specimens; their immeasurable values to indigenous people and their allies are priceless.
- [Witness: The Testimony of a Beheaded Sculpture](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/witness-the-testimony-of-a-beheaded-sculpture/) - By Emily Ham The Story: Witness at the University of Houston About the Work Standing at eighteen feet tall, Witness (2024) by Shahzia Sikander is a bronze sculpture of a female figure with hornlike braids, arms reminiscent of tree-roots, a lace collar, and a steel skirt adorned with mosaic calligraphy. It is a distinctive anthropomorphic
- ["What's in a Name?" Peter Paul Biro v. Condé Nast for Defamation](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/whats-in-a-name-peter-paul-biro-v-conde-nast-for-defamation/) - "Sticks and stones may break my bones But names will never hurt me." 19th Century English nursery rhyme By Irina Tarsis It is hard to believe that there ever was a time when name calling was innocuous. In 2011, Peter Paul Biro, a Canadian citizen filed a libel Complaint against David Grann, a writer and a journalist,
- [Shedding Light on Copyright’s Challenges in LED-Based Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/shedding-light-on-copyrights-challenges-in-led-based-art/) - By Juliette Groothaert For centuries, artists have been fascinated by capturing light. From the Renaissance masters who pioneered techniques like sfumato to create dissolving edges for lifelike depth, to Caravaggio’s dramatic chiaroscuro wielding stark light and shadow to carve visceral intensity onto canvas, the use of light has undeniably played a pivotal role in shaping
- [Redefining Restitution: France’s Legal Shift on Nazi-Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/redefining-restitution-frances-legal-shift-on-nazi-looted-art/) - By Justine Chen In the decades since the end of World War II, Nazi-looted art has remained a persistent issue; thousands of artworks from Jewish families during the Holocaust remain unreturned, either lost in time or entangled in legal and bureaucratic red tape. In France, one of the countries deeply affected by Nazi art plunder,
- [Unpacking the US Copyright Office’s Third Report on Generative AI](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/unpacking-the-us-copyright-offices-third-report-on-generative-ai/) - By Juliette Groothaert Upon asking DALL-E 3[1] to “create a scenic view of the sea in the style of Van Gogh”, the image appearing on the right was generated within seconds. When compared to The Starry Night on the left, the stylistic resemblance is immediately apparent: swirling skies, radiating light forms, bold brushstrokes, and
- [Three works from the Harvard Art Museum: How I Introduced Art Law to Educate Visitors](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/three-works-from-the-harvard-art-museum-how-i-introduced-art-law-to-educate-visitors/) - By Hannah Gadway Art law is intriguing for those already invested in the realm of law, but can also be an educational tool that can help general museum visitors understand how museums function and the significance of certain pieces in art history. In this article, I will walk through how I specifically used my “Art
- [Restitution Interrupted: Controversy Over the Polish Law on Nazi-Looted Property](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/restitution-interrupted-controversy-over-the-polish-law-on-nazi-looted-property/) - By Jagna Schmude During World War II, more than 600,000 artworks were looted from Jewish families.[1] To this day, over 100,000 remain in public and private collections and have not been returned to their rightful owners.[2] Since the late 1990s, international frameworks have pushed for global efforts to return looted art. However, the introduction of
- [SOLD OUT: Not so Soft and not so Subtle Art of Capitulation](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/sold-out-not-so-soft-and-not-so-subtle-art-of-capitulation/) - By Irina Tarsis On July 27, 2025, Valery Gergiev, laureate of many prestigious awards, once the top-paid cultural figure in the Russian Federation,[1] and a personal friend of President Vladimir V. Putin[2] was scheduled to conduct a concert at the Reggia di Caserta, outside of Naples, in Italy. All this, from public sources. What?! Reader
- [The Price of Expression: U.S. Tariff Policy and the International Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-price-of-expression-u-s-tariff-policy-and-the-international-art-market/) - By Kaede Kusano In early 2025, United States President Donald Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — a 1977 statute designed for national-security sanctions — to impose tariffs on major U.S. trading partners, marking a remarkable expansion in executive trade authority. On February 1, he issued executive orders implementing a 25 % tariff on
- [Spotlight: Institute for Museum and Library Services (DC)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/spotlight-institute-for-museum-and-library-services-dc/) - By Debra S. Friedmann Combining the number of all Starbucks and McDonald's locations will still not come close to the number of museums and libraries in all of the United States. According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (the “IMLS” or the “Institute”), an independent government agency dedicated to the innovation and improvement
- [Freedman Gallery, Albright College: What happens when a college sells its art collection?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/freedman-gallery-albright-college-what-happens-when-a-college-sells-its-art-collection/) - By Alexa Donovan The Freedman Gallery (established nearly 50 years ago) at Albright College (founded in 1856 and located in Reading, Pennsylvania) was like many other campus museums and art spaces. Named after alumnae, Doris C. Freedman (Class of 1950),[1] it was a gathering place for the artistically-minded at Albright, “presenting exhibitions ‘of consistent high
- [From the Canvas to the Courtroom: Discovering Artistic Collections in Legal Locations](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/from-the-canvas-to-the-courtroom-discovering-artistic-collections-in-legal-locations/) - By Parsa Zaheri While the intersections between the arts and the legal field can often seem nebulous or obscure, there is perhaps no clearer expression of the close relationship between art and the law than the art collections that are often found within legal institutions. Whether it be artistic collections in state and federal courts
- [Decades of Dispute: The Latest Bubon Bronze to be Repatriated to Türkiye](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/decades-of-dispute-the-latest-bubon-bronze-to-be-repatriated-to-turkiye/) - By Andrew Dearman The exquisite ancient bronze statue of a draped figure, housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art since its acquisition in 1986, has long been a centerpiece of the museum’s collection. Following an extensive legal and scientific investigation into its provenance and rightful ownership, the statue was scheduled to be repatriated to the
- [Book Review: “Art & Crime” (2022) by Stefan Koldenhoff & Tobias Timm, eng. ed.](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/book-review-art-crime-the-fight-against-looters-forgers-and-fraudsters-in-the-high-stakes-art-world-2022-by-stefan-koldenhoff-tobias-timm-eng-ed/) - By Anna Bashlakova Stefan Koldenhoff and Tobias Timm's book Kunst und Verbrechen came out in 2020. Translated and published in English in 2022 as "Art & Crime," this work explores the hidden dark history of art thefts and the usage of art for fraud and manipulation. Stefan Koldenhoff is a German journalist who specializes in
- [IFAR: In lieu of an Obituary](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/ifar-in-lieu-of-an-obituary/) - By Irina Tarsis On September 27, 2024, International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR) notified its mailing list of the plans to close. The email, entitled “Important News from IFAR,” stated that “After 55 years of championing the principles of authenticity and ethical ownership in the art world, the International Foundation for Art Research has made
- [Select Resources to Help Artists Navigate the Legal Landscape](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/resources-to-help-artists-navigate-the-legal-landscape/) - By Alexa Donovan “No matter your educational journey, there are a couple of things that artists just don’t learn about the profession… Chief among these massive knowledge gaps? Any guidance in contracts or trademark and copyright for artists, two intimidatingly legal tent-poles that hold up any sturdy tent of an artistic career.” ~ Suzy Kopf,
- [WYWH: “The Reckoning: Summer Salad of War and Art” (London, UK)](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-the-reckoning-summer-salad-of-war-and-art-london-uk/) - By Juliette Groothaert and Jagna Schmude Between 29 May and 28 June 2025, Arcola Theater in London served some food for thought – a play with multi-sensory components (smells and tastes included) as well as after-performance conversations with many UK-based writers, lawyers, thinkers grappling with the meaning and toll of the ongoing war in
- [Spotlight: Commission for Art Recovery (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-commission-for-art-recovery-ny/) - The Commission for Art Recovery is a non-profit organization which seeks justice for Holocaust victims of Nazi art theft. It encourages provenance research for works of art whose ownership histories show gaps in the years between 1933 and 1945. The Commission also supports events that highlight restitution efforts and strive to facilitate policy changes internationally.
- [OXFAM Volunteer Recovers and RETURNS a 16th-century Venitian Publication](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/oxfam-volunteer-recovers-and-returns-a-16th-century-venitian-publication/) - What would YOU do if you found one of the two known surviving copies of the 1556 Italian History of the Dukes of Ferrara, Commentario Delle Cose di Ferrara? Hopefully, you too would return it to its rightful owner. OXFAM volunteer Andrew Chapman, a rare book specialist for the charity's bookshop in St. Giles, returned
- [Temporary Return Is No Small Victory: Mexico Negotiates over Moctezuma's Headdress](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/temporary-return-is-no-small-victory-mexico-negotiates-over-moctezumas-headdress/) - The headdress attributed to the last Mexico ruler is on display in Austria. For three years, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have been negotiating for the return of the headdress before the Austrian Government. ArtDaily called it "an unprecedented collaboration project between museums headed
- [In The Hunt for Falt: ICE seizes two paintings from New York Auctioneers](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/in-the-hunt-for-falt-ice-seizes-two-paintings-from-new-york-auctioneers/) - @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Federal authorities seized two Julian Falt paintings stolen
- [Round Three: Grosz v. MOMA Decision Petitioned for Rehearing and/or Rehearing En Banc](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/round-three-grosz-v-moma-decision-petitioned-for-rehearing-and-or-rehearing-en-banc/) - On December 16, 2010, New York Court of Appeals affirmed holding in Grosz v. MoMA that the three-year statute of limitations had passed by the time suit was brought denying plaintiff's equitable tolling claim. Works in dispute, currently at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, include Hermann-Neisse with Cognac, Self-Portrait with Model,
- [On Nonprofit Governance: The Jon Stewart Case Study](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/on-nonprofit-governance-the-jon-stewart-case-study/) - The 9/11 Memorial, or the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, is a private not-for-profit foundation, in charge of overseeing the design, fundraising, programming and operating the Memorial & Museum under construction at the World Trade Center site. New York City Mayer, Michael Bloomberg, is the current chairman of the foundation. Members of the
- [Term of Art: Art for Tax Purposes (Part 1)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/term-of-art-art-for-tax-purposes-part-1/) - This story appeared in The Cardozo Jurist (February 2011): When you look at a Flavin creation, do you see a “light installation” or light fixtures and fluorescent bulbs? Dan Flavin is a famous American minimalist artist and pioneer of using fluorescent light fixtures to create sculpture. In 2006, contemporary art gallery Haunch of Venison contested
- [Bolshevik-Looted Art?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/bolshevik-looted-art/) - Pierre Konowaloff is claiming to be the owner of a painting that was looted by Russia's Bolshevik regime, unlawfully sold to an American collector, and willed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Konowaloff is the great-grandson of a Russian art collector, and the painting is "Portrait of Madame Cezanne", made in 1891 by Cezanne.
- [Certified Forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/certified-forgeries/) - Over 100 forged paintings were seized in a raid in Portugal last week. Most of the paintings were done in the style of famous artists, although some were imitations of known works by the artists. Such forgeries require great artistic skill and knowledge of art. The criminals must also have had great knowledge of the
- [Spotlight: Cultural Heritage Partners, Inc (VA) -- UPDATED](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/spotlight-cultural-heritage-partners-inc-va-updated/) - Established in 2010, Cultural Heritage Partners, LLC fills a market niche: cultural heritage, corporate law, business strategies, preservation and non-profit governance. The partnership was originally made up of Marion Werkheiser, Greg Werkheiser and Donald F. Craib. The partners believe that "Tangible cultural heritage, including buildings, historic places, monuments, and artifacts, as well as . .
- [That's cool: ICE returns archival materials to the Russian Federation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/thats-cool-ice-returns-archival-materials-to-the-russian-federation/) - In a ceremony at the Russian Embassy on December 3, 2010, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton presented 21 historical documents to the Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak of the Russian Federation to the United States. According to the ICE News Release, the documents dating as far back as the 18th century
- [Repatriation at the Brooklyn Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/repatriation-at-the-brooklyn-museum/) - While it is becoming more common for museums in the western world to return antiquities to their country of origin, it is still rather uncommon for such museums to do so by choice, without any legal obligation. Nonetheless, the Brooklyn Museum is attempting to return objects exported from Costa Rica by the founder of the
- [Remix!](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/remix/) - The Henry Art Gallery in Seattle explores art appropriation this winter with its new exhibit, "Image Transfer: Pictures in a Remix Culture" The exhibition is curated in association with the Independent Curators International. "Artists, as both producers and consumers in today’s vast image economy, freely adopt and adapt materials from myriad sources. Images culled from
- ["An Object of Beauty"](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/an-object-of-beauty/) - Steve Martin made an appearance this evening at the Barnes & Noble on Union Square, a few blocks from Cardozo. Martin read from his new book, An Object of Beauty. The book offers promising new reading material for art lawyers in NY... The book takes place from 1993 to 2009, during "the greatest inflation of
- [For Better or Worse: Yale and Peru Commit to the Return of Thousands of Incan Artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/for-better-or-worse-yale-and-peru-committ-to-the-return-of-thousands-of-incan-artifacts/) - On Feb. 11, 2011, Yale University signed an agreement to send back to Peru thousands of Incan artifacts, ceramic pieces, animal and human bones, and metal and stone objects, removed from the Machu Picchu citadel between 1911 and 1913. The long running dispute as to "whether they would or they would not" was resolved in
- [The Responsibilities of Art Ownership](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/the-responsibilities-of-art-ownership/) - It has taken over three decades for Michael Bakwin to regain possession of his art collection. In 1978, somebody broke into Bakwin's Massachusetts home and stole seven paintings worth millions of dollars. In 2008, Robert M. Mardirosian, a retired criminal defense lawyer, was convicted in federal court in Boston for possessing six of the stolen
- [MCA Denver's Approach to the Problem of Orphan Works](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/mca-denvers-approach-to-the-problem-of-orphan-works/) - Last fall, this blog reported on a panel about the problem of Orphan Works. The Panel, "Lost & Found: A Practical Look at Orphan Works", was hosted by the New York City Bar Association in October 2009. A Congressional Bill addressing the issue had died out in 2009, due to the financial crisis, and the
- [Simon C. Dickinson Ltd v. Luxembourg Art Ltd: Are Dealers Wolfs in Lamb's Skin?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/simon-c-dickinson-ltd-v-luxembourg-art-ltd-are-dealers-wolfs-in-lambs-skin/) - The Art Newspaper (February 2011) reports that two of London’s most powerful dealers are about to be locked in a legal battle. The dispute centres around Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawing of the Madonna and Child with St Anne and a Lamb, sold via Simon C. Dickinson Ltd and Luxembourg Art Ltd. for $7M to US
- [Westfield v. Federal Republic of Germany -- FSIA schields Germany from defending the case on the merits](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/westfield-et-al-v-federal-republic-of-germany-fsia-schields-germany-from-defending-the-case-on-the-merits/) - The heirs of Walter Westfield, a prominent German art dealer in the 1930s, sought to recover the value of Westfeld’s art collection from the Federal Republic of Germany. On Feb. 2, 2011, 6th Cir. Court of Appeals dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction. Westfield v. Fed. Republic of Germany, 2011 FED App. 0026P (6th
- [Spain, Thyssen-Bornemisza Seek Review of Ninth Circuit FSIA Decision](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/spain-thyssen-bornemisza-seek-review-of-ninth-circuit-fsia-decision/) - By Josh Wolkoff The battle over Pissarro’s Rue Saint-Honoré, après-midi, effect de pluie wages on for Claude Cassirer and his family. On December 14, 2010, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, together with the Kingdom of Spain, filed their petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming that the U.S. District Court lacked personal and
- [Abu Dhabi and Qatar Use Cultural Institutions for Change but not Without Problems](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/abu-dhabi-and-qatar-use-cultural-institutions-for-change-but-not-without-problems/) - "[O]n a barren island on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, workers have dug the foundations for three colossal museums: an $800 million Frank Gehry-designed branch of the Guggenheim 12 times the size of its New York flagship; a half-billion-dollar outpost of the Louvre by Jean Nouvel; and a showcase for national history by Foster &
- [British Museum to Manage Portable Antiquities Scheme, as Exciting New Finds Go on Display](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/british-museum-to-manage-portable-antiquities-scheme-as-exciting-new-finds-go-on-display/) - "Culture Minister Ed Vaizey confirmed that the future funding of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) has been secured with a reduction of 15% in real terms over four years. From April 2011 it will be managed directly by the British Museum. Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, said: ‘Following the Spending Review settlement we
- [The Museum, version 2.0](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-museum-version-2-0/) - A recent article in the Huffington Post, written by Arianna Huffington herself, has ignited a debate about museums and technology. Huffington, a self-proclaimed "evangelist for new media" admits to feeling "oddly reticent" about museums using social media to reach out to its audience. "That's because museums deliver what has become increasingly rare in our world:
- [Return of Looted Artifacts Requires Diplomacy](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/return-of-looted-artifacts-requires-diplomacy/) - The worlds of diplomacy, law, and art converge on the Oegyujanggak, a royal Korean text currently on display at the National Library in France. South Korea has been trying to get the text, looted by French troops in the 19th century, back for years. In a bilateral accord that drew disapproval from the “culture industry”
- [Yale To Return Artifacts to Peru](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/yale-to-return-artifacts-to-peru/) - "Yale will return all of the Inca artifacts it has held for nearly 100 years to the nation of Peru, according to a memorandum of understanding signed by University President Richard Levin and the Peruvian minister of foreign relations Tuesday. All of the artifacts — of which there are about 40,000 by Peru’s estimate, and
- [Pennsylvania Museum Told to Return Alaska Tlingit Artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/pennsylvania-museum-told-to-return-alaska-tlingit-artifacts/) - A federal committee has ruled that the Hoonah T'akdeintaan clan, which was largely wiped out by tidal wave, is the owner of spiritual and artistic artifacts currently held by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Marlene Johnson, a T'akdeintaan elder, started working for the return of the objects after seeing
- [Accession by Colombia to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/accession-by-colombia-to-the-second-protocol-to-the-hague-convention/) - "Accession by Colombia to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague, 26 March 1999) On 24 November 2010, Colombia deposited with the Director-General its instrument of accession to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the
- [Term of Art: Restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/term-of-art-restitution/) - "Despite international efforts to recover displaced art during World War II, museums in the U.S. still fight assertions of ownerships from Holocaust victims and their heirs. The argument that museums make is that claimants waited too long to bring their claims. However, many restitution claims could not have been brought earlier because the property’s whereabouts
- [Picasso's Electrician](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/picassos-electrician/) - In October, French investigators seized 271 Picasso works from a small house in southern France. How had an elderly electrician come to have such great objects amassed in his home? That's simple, Picasso gave them to him as gifts. Or is it so simple? The Daily Telegraph reports that, "Claude Picasso insisted that his father
- [Art this Week: Boring or Exciting?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/art-this-week-boring-or-exciting/) - Recent allegations that art is "boring" are troublesome for an art law blog... Two weeks ago, this blog reported on a reading by Steve Martin at Barnes & Noble. Martin continued on the NY literary circuit to the 92Y, where he and Deborah Solomon held a discussion on ART. As Martin Schneider writes, they spoke
- [Appraisal in Action](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/appraisal-in-action/) - Last night on the Colbert Report, Steve Martin sought to dispel any misconceptions that he, or that Art, is boring. Martin was joined by Frank Stella, Shepard Fairey, and Andre Serrano in giving an appraisal of a portrait of Stephen Colbert. Watch the clip at The Huffington Post
- [The Met gets a Velazquez for Christmas](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/the-met-gets-a-velazquez-for-christmas/) - The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired a portrait of King Philip IV in 1913, as a bequest from Benjamin Altman. The portrait of the 18-year-old monarch was said to have been done by Diego Velazquez. Unfortunately, Philip's reign at the Met was cut short in 1973, when the Museum reconsidered his Majesty and declared the
- [Frazetta's kids feud over control of the artist's works (again)](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/frazettas-kids-feud-over-control-of-the-artists-works-again/) - Frank Frazetta might now be better known not for his fantasy works but for the fighting over his estate. The family seemed to settle a dispute over the estate in the spring 2010. But now, ArtDaily reports that children of the artist are feuding again over the works. On December 22, Frank Frazetta Jr., son
- [More on ICE: The Nereid Sweetmeat Stand to Be Returned to Heirs of Former German Prime Minister](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/more-on-ice-the-nereid-sweetmeat-stand-to-be-returned-to-heirs-of-former-german-prime-minister/) - According to a Press Release from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States has entered into a settlement agreement with the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio that provides for the return to a royal family in Germany of the "Nereid Sweetmeat Stand," a famed Swan Service collection's centerpiece. The story is both common and atypical: "During
- [Spotlight: Columbia’s Kernochan Center for Law, Media and The Arts reveals new Visual Art Infringement Database](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/kernochan-center-visual-art-infringement-database/) - By Ava Mandele The legal concepts in copyright cases can be complicated to understand. Lawyers, students and academics alike can struggle to come up with a definitive criteria for what constitutes copyrightable material. Consequently, intensive case research is required in order to achieve a robust understanding of copyright in the US. However, with dozens of
- [Museum Organizations Act to Prevent Sale of Pollock](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/museum-organizations-act-to-prevent-sale-of-pollock/) - The Association of Museum Directors and the American Association of Museums are preemptively calling out the University of Iowa. There have been calls for the sale of Jackson Pollack’s “Mural” in order underwrite University costs. Such a sale would violate a fundamental ethical principal of museum management: that accessioned works of art are held in
- [Abramovic Victory](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/abramovic-victory/) - Can performance art be appropriated? How can there even be a reproduction of something so transient? Unlike 'performance art', the other ephemeral artform of dance is actually grounded in technique that is hundreds of years old, and systems of recordation have been developed to enable reproduction. Performance art seems the most transient of all, designed
- [New Takes on Old Fakes](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/new-takes-on-old-fakes/) - Museums should embrace the fakes in their collections. This summer in London, the National Gallery pieced together a fantastic exhibition, "Close Examination: Fakes, Mistakes and Discoveries", using a variety of pieces with dodgy provenance. This winter, the Detroit Institute of Arts is following suit and turning its worries about authenticity into a money-making opportunity with
- [Real Estate & Art](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/real-estate-art/) - The Chelsea Art Museum opened on West 22nd Street in 2002, committed to exploring "art within a context." Soon the context of the Chelsea Art Museum's collection must change. This month in bankruptcy court, the museum's building was sold for $19.35 million to a New York developer, Albanese Development Corp. The sale also goes to
- [Technology & Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/technology-art/) - This winter, we are reminded that technology and art make great partners ... Technology needs art. John Maeda told the Guardian that design is what enables technological innovations to become integrated into our lives. And art needs technology. The International Business Times tells us that the creation of an online searchable database will use technological
- [Turning the Light Off on Contemporary Art or Flavin is a work of art only when it is switched on. . .](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/turning-the-light-off-on-contemporary-art-or-flavin-is-a-work-of-art-only-when-it-is-switched-on/) - The European Com­mis­sion (EC) has reversed a decision made in a UK tax tribunal, and refused to classify works by Dan Flavin and Bill Viola as “art.” Given that the the decision is binding on all member states, for now, UK galleries and auction houses will have to pay full VAT (value added tax) and
- [Metropolitan and Egypt Announce Initiative to Recognize Egypt's Title to Objects from Tut's Tomb](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/metropolitan-and-egypt-announce-initiative-to-recognize-egypts-title-to-objects-from-tuts-tomb/) - "Thomas P. Campbell, Director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, announced jointly today that, effective immediately, the Museum will acknowledge Egypt’s title to 19 ancient Egyptian objects in its collection since early in the 20th century. All of these
- [A "Deaccession-in-Disguise"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-deaccession-in-disguise/) - Two years ago, the Brooklyn Museum transferred items that had fallen outside the scope of its collection to the Metropoltian Museum of Art. The deal had been praised as an example of collection-sharing and as a means of avoiding deaccessioning. However, it has recently emerged that the Met sold the items at auction and gave
- [Ratification by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/ratification-by-saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines-of-the-convention-on-the-protection-of-the-underwater-cultural-heritage/) - "On 8 November 2010, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. In accordance with the terms of its Article 27, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines three months
- [Marion True's defence lawyer speaks out](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/marion-trues-defence-lawyer-speaks-out/) - “'In the sense of trying to comprehend all that’s happened I am in shock. That it has been five years, with never the possibility of airing the defence—it was a very long time,' Marion True, former antiquities curator of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, told the New Yorker. Last month in Rome, she saw
- [RSS Feed Protecting Nicaragua's Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/rss-feed-protecting-nicaraguas-heritage/) - "The cultural heritage of Nicaragua will continue to be protected by the United States thanks to the extension of the "Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological Material from the Pre-Hispanic Cultures of the Republic
- [ACE unveils “biggest transformation of arts funding for a generation"](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/ace-unveils-biggest-transformation-of-arts-funding-for-a-generation/) - "Arts Council England has today unveiled the ten-year strategy that will inform a complete overhaul of the organisations it funds in early 2011, leading to as many as 100 companies being cut. ACE chair Liz Forgan described the changes as “the biggest transformation of arts funding for a generation”. Meanwhile, ACE chief executive Alan
- [Title Insurance Concept Spreads Into Art Sales](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/title-insurance-concept-spreads-into-art-sales/) - "On Wednesday a major publicly traded insurance company, Argo Group, showed confidence in that fledgling market, announcing that it had bought ARIS, a small insurance firm that has been selling art title insurance since 2006. Argo, based in Bermuda, has total assets of $6.7 billion and currently provides property and casualty insurance to companies around
- [U.S. Amends and Extends M.O.U. with Colombia](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/u-s-amends-and-extends-m-o-u-with-colombia/) - On March 1, 2011, the U.S. and Colombia completed an exchange of diplomatic notes that extends the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which protects the cultural patrimony of Colombia, for another five years. The original MOU was created in response to a request by the Colombian government under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention. The
- [Property Outlaws](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/property-outlaws/) - On October 28, 2010, the Eyebeam Art + Technology Center in Chelsea hosted a panel discussion on “Disobedience and Innovation: Inspiring Change.” The event itself was inspired by the book, “Property Outlaws: How Squatters, Pirates, and Protesters Improve the Law of Ownership,” released in February of this year. The book was written by Professor Eduardo
- [Art collector settlement allows repatriation of 2 rare ceramic antiquities to Peru](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/art-collector-settlement-allows-repatriation-of-2-rare-ceramic-antiquities-to-peru/) - "Two rare ceramic pieces can now be returned to the Government of Peru following an agreement by the United States and a New York-based collector of Peruvian pre-Columbian antiquities on Nov. 2. The settlement resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)." For more
- [Expert Handwriting Analysis Concludes "Secret Mark" Not a Forgery](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/expert-handwriting-analysis-concludes-secret-mark-not-a-forgery/) - "Expert handwriting analysis has concluded that Morton Smith did not forge the document known as “Secret Mark.” More than fifty years ago in a Judean desert monastery, Columbia University professor Morton Smith discovered a previously unknown letter from Clement of Alexandria, a second-century church father, which contained passages of a lost “secret” gospel of Mark.
- [WikiLeaks and Art Law?! Black Swan Affair Gets Wind to its Sail](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/wikileaks-and-art-law-black-swan-affair-gets-wind-to-its-sail/) - On January 6, 2011, Bloomberg news reported that Florida-based deep-sea explorer, Odyssey Marine Exploration, is using documents released on WikiLeaks to force the U.S. government out of their legal battle with Spain over a shipwreck treasure -- 17-tons of gold and silver coins. Wikileaks, supposedly revealed that the U.S. State Department had offered to help
- [Old World Keeps Art Close](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/old-world-keeps-art-close/) - The ArtDaily.org reported that the Art Fund, the National Trust and National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) raised enough, or £2.72 million, to keep Pieter Brueghel the Younger’s ‘The Procession to Calvary’ (on the left) in the UK.
- [Koons' Balloons](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/koons-balloons/) - Jeff Koons has sent cease and desist letters to Park Life, a gallery in San Francisco, for selling dog balloon-shaped bookends. Does the appropriation artist have the exclusive right to sell things in the shape of balloon animals? Read the article at ArtInfo. See a comparison of one of Koons' Balloon Dog (1994-2000) sculptures and
- [A Red-Carpet Jeweler Is Charged With Fraud](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/a-red-carpet-jeweler-is-charged-with-fraud/) - “A Duchess of Newcastle diamond brooch, circa 1887. A gilded album commissioned by Marie Antoinette in 1781. A carved ivory, enamel and jeweled case made at the request of Czar Nicholaa II in 1893. Taken together, these intricate pieces and sparkling objects are valued at about $3 million. But they make up only a fraction
- [Taxi Cabs: perfect getaway vehicles for art heists?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/taxi-cabs-perfect-getaway-vehicles-for-art-heists/) - During a raid in Sweden in October, police discovered three paintings. The paintings were wrapped in plastic bags and labeled “Malmö Art Museum.” This was strange, because no thefts had been reported by the museum. It was even more strange because the paintings, one by Edward Munch, are rather valuable. The raid was part of
- [The Deaccession Debate: Another Loophole](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/the-deaccession-debate-another-loophole/) - Last week, we learned of an "innovative arrangement" that avoided deaccessioning violations. The Brooklyn Museum had "transferred" some items from its collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, only to have the Met auction the items and transfer the proceeds back to Brooklyn. This week, we learn of another loophole in museums' standard deaccessioning policies.
- [Monthly Biggest Troublemaker Award goes to... Andy Warhol](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/monthly-biggest-troublemaker-award-goes-to-andy-warhol/) - More than 100 Brillo boxes, said to be works by Andy Warhol, have been declared “copies” by the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board after a three-year investigation. The boxes in question were produced by the late Pontus Hultén (1924-2006), the founding director of the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the
- [Cultural Branding at the Guggenheim](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/cultural-branding-at-the-guggenheim/) - Last week, Richard Armstrong, Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum, announced that Samsung will be funding a position as part of the museum's Asian Art Program. Alexandra Munroe has held the position of "Senior Curator of Asian Art" since 2006, and will now hold the position of "Samsung Curator of Asian Art."
- [The Warhol Market](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/the-warhol-market/) - Last week, a Warhol sold for $63.4 million at a Phillips de Pury auction. Andy Warhol's works are in such high demand that even his friends seem to have difficulty getting hold of any. This week, "Baby Jane" Holzer recently testified that she had paid $220,000 for a stolen Warhol. Holzer had been one of
- [American Charged with Stealing Stuffed Birds in UK](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/american-charged-with-stealing-stuffed-birds-in-uk/) - "British police say they have arrested and charged an American man for stealing hundreds of rare bird skins from a British museum outside London. Detectives investigating the theft of nearly 300 brightly colored stuffed birds from the Natural History Museum in Tring arrested Edwin Rist on Friday. Police said Monday the 22-year-old has been charged
- [Egypt Army Does not Lose Head and Secures Cairo Museum with Pharaos Treasures after Museum is Vandalized (a little)](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/egypt-army-does-not-lose-head-and-secures-cairo-museum-with-pharaos-treasures-after-museum-is-vandalized-a-little/) - The ArtDaily reported that Egyptian army units secured the Cairo Museum, which houses priceless cultural heritage against looting. However, rebels were able to break into the museum on Sunday, January 30, 2011 and destroy some of the cultural objects, including about ten small statuettes and two mummies. The Telegraph quoted Dr Zahi Hawass, the
- [The State of Egyptian Antiquities Today: An Update](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-state-of-egyptian-antiquities-today-an-update/) - Yesterday, Dr. Zahi Hawass was appointed as the Minister of Antiquities, a newly created department that will be charged with the care and protection of all Egyptian monuments and museums. This department will absorb the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Dr. Zahi will continue excavating, writing books, and representing his country. The following statement
- [Digitizing Europe's Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/digitizing-europes-cultural-heritage/) - The European Commission launched Europeana in 2008, in order to create a digital archive of cultural materials. Jennifer Baker reports that Europeana currently offers free access to more than 15 million digitized books, maps, newspapers, paintings, photographs and other artifacts. Those involved with the project are aiming to turn Europeana into the main digital resource
- [Must See Exhibit: Balenciaga-Spanish Master](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/must-see-exhibit-balenciaga-spanish-master/) - Located at the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute until February 19, 2011 Gallery Hours: Mon. - Tues.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. ; Wed.-Fri.: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. ; Sat.: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors, and Institute members "BALENCIAGA: Spanish Master considers the influences on
- [Exit Through the Gift Shop: Anonymous Art & Attribution](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/exit-through-the-gift-shop-anonymous-art-attribution/) - Graffiti is a curious art form. Works of graffiti are usually ignored, or worse, criticized for invading our public space and often destroyed. For example, a whitewashing of an outdoor mural has caused protesting in Los Angeles..This is in contrast to advertising, which not only invades but dominates public space, and which we largely accept
- [Fairey & Fair Use](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fairey-fair-use/) - Shepard Fairey supporters will be glad to know that AP's lawsuit against him is finally over. Anyone out there seeking clarification on Fair Use will have to wait for the next lawsuit. Fairey used a photograph of President Obama to create his iconic "HOPE" image. In 2009, he sought a declaration from the court that
- [The UCL Panopticon and Protests: A lack of arts funding in the UK?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-ucl-panopticon-and-protests-a-lack-of-arts-funding-in-the-uk/) - University College London [UCL] has recently dropped what The Art Newspaper has called "one of the UK's most ambitious university museum projects" due to a lack of funding. UCL's Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archeology houses 80,000 pieces of "pottery, sculpture, jewelry and mummy cases." The University's special collections have a number of important objects of
- [The Case of the Charitable Forger](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-case-of-the-charitable-forger/) - A forger is generally portrayed as a greedy figure. He has just enough technical skill to imitate a real artist's creative genius, and then he capitalizes on the success of the original artist for his own financial gain. Mark Landis presents a rather different figure. First of all, he often poses as a Jesuit Priest.
- [Seller's beware -- Landlords Never Sleep](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/sellers-beware-landlords-never-sleep/) - The story is simple: one New York City landlord, Mark Arrow, had been unable to collect $21,000 (+) in rent from his former Manhanttan tenant, Biond Fury. Fury is a collector and seller of memorabilia, including items related to the Beatles and Marilyn Monroe. In January, he sold a suit worn by the late
- [Lawsuit Proceeds Against Art Dealer](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lawsuit-proceeds-against-art-dealer/) - Norman Waitt is the co-founder of computer maker Gateway, a multimillionaire and a serious art collector. So serious that the Wall Street Journal reports that, between 1996 to 2008, he spent more than $13 million for about 50 works from the Gerald Peters Gallery. His habit couldn't have been fed without the help of Gerald
- [Do Modern Trends Require Us To Rethink Rules Governing Cultural Heritage?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/do-modern-trends-require-us-to-rethink-rules-governing-cultural-heritage/) - Earlier posts on this site have noted the incongruity between rules governing street art and laws governing the art world. Citing an article in The New Yorker, Caroline Camp, in her post on Anonymous Art & Attribution, shed light on this disjunction vis-à-vis Exit Through the Gift Shop, the recent documentary on the renowned
- [Framing the Future? Disney and Universal Challenge Midjourney over AI-Generated Imagery](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/framing-the-future-disney-and-universal-challenge-midjourney-over-ai-generated-imagery/) - By Lulu Yang Earlier this month, Disney and Universal filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Midjourney, Inc., an AI image-generation platform, alleging both direct and secondary copyright infringement.[1] The core allegation is that Midjourney’s generative AI tools unlawfully reproduce and distribute images incorporating the plaintiffs’ copyrighted
- [Can Living Art be Granted Copyright Protection?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/can-living-art-be-granted-copyright-protection/) - Chapman Kelly is a well-known artist, who is famous for his landscape paintings and woodworks. In 1984, the Chicago Park District approached him to create an outdoor display of wildflowers. Kelly envisioned two large ellipses containing native wildflowers surrounded by gravel and steel. By 2004, Kelly's creation was in disrepair and the city made arrangements
- [Art Loss Register Recovers Stolen Print in Less than Three Weeks](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/art-loss-register-recovers-stolen-print-in-less-than-three-weeks/) - Working through diplomatic channels and with police, the Art Loss Registry (ALR) quickly recovered a famous stolen photograph. The Wave by Frantisek Drtikol was stolen from the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague on March 13, 2011. Four days later, after being approached by someone selling the print, renowned photography dealer Joseph Bellows submitted a
- [Famous Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei detained by Authorities](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/famous-chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-detained-by-authorities/) - Mr. Weiwei is well known for his involvement as a co-designer of Beijing's Bird Nest Olympic Stadium. He, also, has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London. Acclaimed as the most famous Chinese artist known to outsiders, Mr. Weiwei is also a strong social critic of the Chinese Communist Party. He was detained under
- [Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa To Yale University: Return Artifacts to Peru!](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ecuadorean-president-rafael-correa-to-yale-university-return-artifacts-to-peru/) - Ecuador's president is supporting demands by neighboring Peru for Yale University to return thousands of artifacts removed from the Inca site of Machu Picchu a century ago for study at the U.S. university. The Peruvian government filed a lawsuit in 2008 against Yale, which is located in New Haven, Connecticut, seeking to recover more than
- [Artist Alleges Restoration Work Runs Afoul of VARA](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/artist-alleges-restoration-work-runs-afoul-of-vara/) - Artist David Ascalon alleges that in restoring his Holocaust memorial sculpture, David Grindle has significantly altered the meaning of the artwork. One change is the substitution of stainless steel for rusted steel. The material is used to depict a serpent and was meant to contrast with stainless steel representing the character of the Jewish people.
- [Artists and museums get the red carpet treatment](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/artists-and-museums-get-the-red-carpet-treatment/) - "Documentaries featuring Ilya Kabakov, Magritte, the Rijksmuseum and London’s National Gallery show in Canada. Montreal’s reputation as an underground city, with its labyrinthine connections between shopping centres, hotels, stations, museums and civic centres, is enhanced this month as it tries to convince citizens and visitors to spend even more time in artificially lit spaces—contemplating the
- [US Government Returns Art Work Stolen Over Three Decades Ago to Owner](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/us-government-returns-art-work-stolen-over-three-decades-ago-to-owner/) - "The last of seven pieces of valuable artwork, stolen on Memorial Day in 1978 from a home in Stockbridge, are were returned to their owner by authorities. In November of 2008, retired Massachusetts attorney, Robert R. Mardirosian, of Falmouth, was sentenced to seven years in prison following a jury conviction on August 18, 2008, for
- [Members of Congress weigh in on CPIA concerns](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/members-of-congress-weigh-in-on-cpia-concerns/) - "Within the past year, requests for import restrictions on coins have been received from Italy and Greece and Memorandums of Understanding are likely to be announced in the near future. The concerns of the collecting community have not only been expressed through significant public comment, but through a growing stack of letters from both the
- [Everybody's a Critic: Art Vandal accused of Criminal Mischeif](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/everybodys-a-critic-art-vandal-accused-of-criminal-mischeif/) - A Montana woman accused of taking a crowbar to controversial artwork for religious reasons pleaded not guilty Friday in Colorado. Kathleen Folden, 56, of Kalispell, Mont., was arrested at the Loveland, Colo., Museum and accused of destroying a controversial artwork. According to police she used a crowbar to smash a display case containing a print
- [Statute of Limitations are a Girl's Best Friend: Five-year Trial of Marion True Ends](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/statute-of-limitations-are-a-girls-best-friend-five-year-trial-of-marion-true-ends/) - The groundbreaking criminal trial of former Getty Museum antiquities curator Marion True ended in a bureaucratic whimper on October 13, 2010 in Rome when the judged ended the proceedings, ruling that the statute of limitations had expired on the criminal charges that she had conspired to traffic in looted art. True was charged by an
- [Forgeries Entangle Christie's](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/forgeries-entangle-christies/) - "Panic is spreading through the art world following the discovery of forgeries among major 20th-century paintings sold in recent years by leading auctioneers and dealers worldwide, including Christie's in London. More than 30 paintings, thought to be by artists including Max Ernst, Raoul Dufy and Fernand Léger, have been unmasked as forgeries, theObserver has learned.
- [A Moving Museum: The Merce Cunningham Collection](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-moving-museum-the-merce-cunningham-collection/) - A dance is a lot more than just a lot of steps. Choreographers, dancers, composers, musicians, lighting designers, set designers, costumers, visual artists and others perform import roles, on stage and off, and add integral elements. All of these elements will be tied to the choreography, and a dance company's collection will move with the
- [A Museum in the Making: The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/a-museum-in-the-making-the-guggenheim-abu-dhabi/) - New York, Berlin, Bilbao, Venice ... Abu Dhabi? "The new Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be located in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry, the 450,000-square-foot museum will house its own major modern and contemporary art collection and
- [Art Dealer Convicted of Fraud](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-dealer-convicted-of-fraud/) - Leigh Morse, former Director of the Salander O'Reilly Galleries, was found guilty on April 6, 2011 of one count of scheming to defraud in the first degree. She was found not guilty of a second count of grand larceny. The trial was by jury in New York: People v. Morse, 09-03581, New York State Supreme
- [A Tobacco Warehouse in DUMBO: Public Park or Public Theater?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-tobacco-warehouse-in-dumbo-public-park-or-public-theater/) - New York might be rather enormous, but there's not much space here. Who should decide how a space is used? A recent court case causes us to ask, who should decide how an old Tobacco Warehouse in the Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO is used? DUMBO is a sort of mecca for artists in New York,
- [Twitter it or Not: Agence France Presse v. Morel Held in Favor of Photographer](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/twitter-it-or-not-agence-france-presse-v-morel-held-in-favor-of-photographer/) - How could we have overlooked the first legal victory involving a Haitian photographer and his work taken from Twitter's Tweet Pics?! We did not, we just forgot to tell you about it. Here it goes. Earlier this year, Judge Alison Nathan, ruled that Agence France Presse (AFP) and The Washington Post infringed copyright of Daniel
- [Post Co-Authorship and Past Congeniality: Creative Relationship Spoils](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/post-co-authorship-and-past-congeniality-creative-relationship-spoils/) - By Colby A. Meagle Synergy is the sharing of talent and ideas, the combining of two or more minds in order to produce a product superior to anything one is capable of creating alone. Partnerships may look like a constructive arrangement, one where everyone benefits, and maybe that is the case at the beginning, but How might disputes over authorship between collaborators (spouses or business partners) have been avoided?By Colby A. Meagle Synergy is the sharing of talent and ideas, the combining of two or more minds in order to produce a product superior to anything one is capable of creating alone. Partnerships may look like a constructive arrangement, one where everyone benefits, and maybe that is the case at the beginning, but
- [Perelman’s Art Damage Case Continued to Burn Through Court Last Week](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/perelmans-art-damage-case-continued-to-burn-through-court-last-week/) - By Renée Vara June 18, 2025 marked yet another trial day in the closely watched case of Ronald Perelman versus a group of reinsurers (AGP Holdings v. Insurers).¹ After attending court during the trial’s first week, it became even more apparent that the case offers allied professionals a rare inside look into the world of
- [Mardi Gras Costumes: Apparel or Art?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/mardi-gras-costumes-apparel-or-art/) - Law professors have much to say about copyrighting Mardi Gras Costumes. Case on point, Ashlye Keaton, adjunct law professor at Tulane University, is working with Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians to help preserve intellectual rights to their costumes. In light of the fact that costumes are not copyrightable, Keaton is defining them as art.
- [Case Review Update: Thaler v. Perlmutter (2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-update-thaler-v-perlmutter-2025/) - By Shelby Jorgensen A Recent Entrance to Paradise is enjoying more than 15 minutes of attention. The Center has previously covered the District Court decision for this case back in 2023, which can be found here. In March 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit confirmed the District Court and
- [Case Review: Hayden v. Koons (2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-hayden-v-koons-2025/) - By Emily Ko In Jeff Koons’s Made in Heaven series, the artist and his first wife, Ilona Staller, better known by her stage name Cicciolina, embrace in sexually explicit poses. Koons, with a parodic spirit, is confrontational in his literal presentation of decadent (yet simultaneously “natural” in its conspicuous reference to Adam and Eve) sexuality.
- [WYWH: “Art and Antiquities Part 2: Art and the Holocaust”](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-art-and-antiquities-part-2-art-and-the-holocaust/) - By Emily Ko On February 27, 2025, the Federal Bar Council hosted Art and Antiquities Part 2: Art and the Holocaust. Moderated by The Honorable Gary Stein, the panel featured five speakers who offered a rich variety of perspectives. The panelists were Lucian Simmons, the Head of Provenance Research at The Metropolitan Museum of Art;
- [Intellectual Property Protections and the Art Market in Japan](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/intellectual-property-protections-and-the-art-market-in-japan/) - By Anjali Krishna As visitors flock to Japan in the throng of post-pandemic travelers, they travel not only in search of a cultural education: Tourists seek the opportunity to purchase authentic designer goods under the protection of strict anti-counterfeiting laws. While the ubiquity of designer “dupes” grows with the popularity of sites like DHGate, Japan
- [Case Review in Brief: Art Historian Found Liable for Incorrect Authentication (2013)](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/art-historian-found-liable-for-incorrect-authentication/) - By Center for Art Law Werner Spies, former director of the Pompidou Center and renowned Max Ernst expert, was found liable for an incorrect authentication of Ernst's Earthquake (1948) on May 24, 2013. The Tribunal de Grande Instance of Nanterre in France ruled that Spies and dealer Jacques La Beraudiere owed Louis Reijtenbagh €652,883 in
- [WYWH: “Artist Legacy and Estate Planning” Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic/) - By Alexa Donovan On June 11, 2025, Center for Art Law hosted one of its virtual Artist Legacy and Estate Planning clinics. Artists, attorneys, appraisers, and accountants joined together to learn about and discuss the steps that artists can take to safeguard their their legacies after death — and the essential planning that comes before.
- [Is Body Art Free Speech?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/is-body-art-free-speech/) - Tattoos, piercings, and other forms of body art have a long history. There is firsthand physical evidence of tattoos on a 5,200-year-old frozen corpse, and second-hand archeological evidence that the Egyptians wore tattoos as early as circa 4000 B.C. There have been body art exhibitions at renowned institutions like the May 2000 exhibition at the
- [Pop Goes the Auction](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/pop-goes-the-auction/) - As evidenced by two auctions this week, there is a high demand for Andy Warhol and other pop artists. On Monday, November 8, Phillips de Pury held its inaugural "Carte Blanche" auction. Pury invited an outsider, Private art adviser and former Christie's employee Philippe Segalot, to curate the event. Andy Warhol's "Men in Her Life"
- [A Resale Right for Artists ... in Canada?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-resale-right-for-artists-in-canada/) - “The whole value of an art work is not made on the original sale,” said April Britski, national executive director of the Canadian Arts Representation [CARFAC]. “Visual artists are at a great disadvantage compared to writers or musicians who keep getting money from recordings or books. [With art,] you sell it once and it’s gone.”
- [From Medici to Deutsche Bank](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/from-medici-to-deutsche-bank/) - "Why do banks buy so much art? To earn prestige apparently. Yet that prestige may come at a cost as banks do not want to be seen spending extravagantly in the wake of the mortgage crisis and bailouts. Few banks collect art to make money. A liquidation auction of art from collapsed investment bank Lehman
- [China Wants its Rabbit and Rat Back](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/china-wants-its-rabbit-and-rat-back/) - "China looks to be redoubling its efforts to repatriate the bronzes from the Summer Palace, enlisting Jackie Chan, erecting a statue of Victor Hugo who decried the looting in 1860, and circulating a petition." More information at Illicit Cultural Property.
- [MFA to keep Kokoschka Painting](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/mfa-to-keep-kokoschka-painting/) - The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued its decision in the case determining ownership of Oskar Kokoschka’s painting Two Nudes (Lovers) (painted about 1913). The decision affirmed United States District Judge Rya Zobel’s May 28, 2009, ruling that the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) is the rightful owner of the
- [Ansel Adams Publishing Trust v. Norsigian -- Legal Circus disputing Adams 'Performance'](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ansel-adams-publishing-trust-v-norsigian-legal-circus-disputing-adams-performance/) - On August 23, 2010, The Ansel Adams Publishing Trust, which controls the licensing rights to Adams’s work, filed a federal trademark infringement suit in San Francisco as part of an effort to block the sale of prints by Rick Norsigian, a painter in a school maintenance department, who bought the negatives 10 years ago for
- [Ratification by Honduras of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (Paris, 2 November 2001)](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/ratification-by-honduras-of-the-convention-on-the-protection-of-the-underwater-cultural-heritage-paris-2-november-2001/) - "On 23 July 2010, Honduras deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. In accordance with the terms of its Article 27, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to Honduras three months after the date of the deposit of this
- [Munch gets stolen all the time, so ...](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/munch-gets-stolen-all-the-time-so/) - A Swedish museum says it was not aware that three of its paintings, including a $1.5 million artwork by Norwegian expressionist Edvard Munch, had been stolen until police stumbled on the canvases during another investigation. For the full story, read https://web.archive.org/web/20101010160056/http://www.cbc.ca:80/arts/artdesign/story/2010/10/07/theft-munch-malmo.html
- [Recent Developments on the Herzog Collection -- Nixon Peabody Advises Hungary with Restitution Issues](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/recent-developments-on-the-herzog-collection-nixon-peabody-advises-hungary-with-restitution-issues/) - Nixon Peabody, firm with an Arts and Cultural Institutions Team led by Thaddeus J. Stauber, is representing the Republic of Hungary and the Hungarian National Gallery in a case involving the Herzog Collection. On Feb. 15, 2011, the firm moved to dismiss a complaint filed by United States citizen David L. de Csepel and two Italian
- [Ask the (virtual) Art Lawyer](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ask-the-virtual-art-lawyer/) - The Matisse Foundation has made a $20,000 donation to Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts [VLA], for its new art law website, Ask the Lawyer. The Matisse Foundation was created by the widow of Pierre Matisse, a successful New York art dealer and the son of painter Henri. Since its inception in 1995, the Foundation has
- [Sotheby’s Vice Chair Opening New York gallery](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/sothebys-vice-chair-opening-new-york-gallery/) - "Former Sotheby’s vice chairman Emmanuel Di Donna is teaming up with London dealer Harry Blain to open a gallery in uptown New York. The duo officially start trading in mid-November, and hope to sign the lease on a new space off Madison Avenue shortly. The gallery, Blain Di Donna, will focus on secondary market sales."
- [A Studio Party in China](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/a-studio-party-in-china/) - Whereas many artists might worry about copyright infringement, Ai Weiwei has been facing a rather unusual set of legal issues. Two years ago, the Shanghai government had asked Ai to create a studio for its new arts district. The municipal government recently issued an order to demolish the site, citing Ai's alleged failure to timely
- [Art Law Mixer at Mixed Greens!](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/art-law-mixer-at-mixed-greens/) - Cardozo Art Law Society is hosting the FIRST EVER Art Law mixer event this Friday night (November 12) at Mixed Greens Gallery http://www.mixedgreens.com/ Art Law students from Brooklyn Law, Cardozo, Columbia, Fordham, Hofstra, and NYU have come together to help create this event. The party is open to everyone - artists, lawyers, and art law
- [Ratification by Belgium to the Second Protocol](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ratification-by-belgium-to-the-second-protocol/) - Ratification by Belgium to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague, 26 March 1999) "On 13 October 2010, Belgium deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the
- [FBI Seizes a Fake of Andrew Wyeth's Painting "Snow Birds" from an Auction House](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fbi-seizes-a-fake-of-andrew-wyeths-painting-snow-birds-from-an-auction-house/) - "David C Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today the seizure of a fraudulent Andrew Wyeth painting from a New York auction house, and the seizure of Mesopotamian antiquities from a California antiquities dealer. The seizures resulted from two separate investigations. Forged Andrew Wyeth Painting Seized In July of this year,
- [EXTRA EXTRA: the ALR recovers Zoffany painting](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/extra-extra-the-alr-recovers-zoffany-painting/) - On Oct 28, 2010, the Art Loss Register issued a press release on recovery of the 18th century portrait by Johann Zoffany, stolen in 1979 from the private collection of John and Patience Sheffield in London. ". . .In March 2009, John Sheffield's daughter Belinda Pomeroy, saw an article about the painting in the Evening
- [United States and Nicaragua Extend Agreement to Protect Archaeological Heritage of Nicaragua](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/united-states-and-nicaragua-extend-agreement-to-protect-archaeological-heritage-of-nicaragua/) - "Effective October 20, 2010, this extension signifies a continuation of cooperation that began in 2000 following Nicaragua’s request for assistance from the United States pursuant to Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The United States demonstrates
- [Warhol Foundation Kills Antitrust Lawsuit Over Authentication](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/warhol-foundation-kills-antitrust-lawsuit-over-authentication/) - The closely watched federal lawsuit in which a private collector is suing the Andy Warhol Foundation and its subsidiary Art Authentication Board is about to reach an abrupt and unexpected end. Joe Simon, the London-based American whose 2007 complaint challenges the board's rejection of the authenticity of the 1964 Warhol self-portrait that he owns, says
- [Records show 10,000 unreturned Nazi-looted artworks](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/records-show-10000-unreturned-nazi-looted-artworks/) - A new online database recording more than 20,000 works of art looted by the Nazis from Jews in France and Belgium during World War Two shows that at least half have yet to be returned to their original owners. The database, a joint project between the U.S.-based Claims Conference and the United States Holocaust Memorial
- [Underground Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/underground-art/) - A large-scale exhibition has been mounted, illegally, under the streets of New York City in an old, unfinished subway station. Anyone who is caught defacing MTA property (perhaps by painting over it), is subject to arrest and to fines. Merely to visit the exhibition space, one must illegally trespass through MTA property. Those who participate
- [Antiquities and Crimes](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/antiquities-and-crimes/) - Last month, charges against Marion True for conspiring to receive antiquities that had been illegally excavated and exported from Italy were dismissed. The case has taken over a decade to come to a close and has raised a number of issues regarding the acquisition of cultural property. In response to the case, the Association of
- [Nazi Degenerate Art Rediscovered in Berlin](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/nazi-degenerate-art-rediscovered-in-berlin/) - While working on the new subway lines in Berlin, workers unearthed eleven sculptures that were thought to have been lost forever. These art objects were labeled as degenerate art by the Nazis and were thought to be destroyed. Workers found these during the initial phases of building a subway stop in front of the Berlin
- [[Lee Jae-min] Law on the return of artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/lee-jae-min-law-on-the-return-of-artifacts/) - "One of the current issues that arouses a heated emotional response from the people involved is the repatriation of cultural properties. The issue attracted global attention when the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York decided to return to Turkey, after a lengthy legal battle, the so-called Lydian Hoard, which comprises 363 jewels and
- [THE PHIL COWAN MEMORIAL/BMI SCHOLARSHIP](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/the-phil-cowan-memorial-bmi-scholarship/) - Take note of this publishing and scholarship opportunity: The Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association (EASL), in partnership with BMI, the world’s largest music performing rights organization, has established the Phil Cowan Memorial/BMI Scholarship! Created in memory of Cowan, an esteemed entertainment lawyer and a former Chair of
- [Russia does what? “Russia takes the lead in regulating…”](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/russia-does-what-russia-takes-the-lead-in-regulating/) - There is an apparent push to regulate “Art securitization” and Art Investments in Russia. But isn't there notorious lack of oversight of the Russian Art market? Read: https://web.archive.org/web/20101230221405/http://www.artworldsalon.com/blog/2010/09/russia-takes-the-lead-in-regulating/
- [Will the Supreme Court Take Up Nazi-era Limitations Periods?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/will-the-supreme-court-take-up-nazi-era-limitations-periods/) - The U.S. Supreme Court has asked the Solicitor General to submit a brief on the issue of whether states can enact more permissive limitations rules when they may conflict with the foreign affairs doctrine. Marei Von Saher has been pursuing her claim against the Norton Simon Museum over these two works by Lucas Cranach the
- [Just Another Art Restitution Case? Think again](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/just-another-art-restitution-case-think-again/) - By Todd Grabarsky Spain may have achieved ultimate glory at this summer's FIFA World Cup, but ended up on the losing end of a landmark Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act (FSIA) and art restitution decision out in the 9th Circuit. The Federal Court of Appeals issued an en banc opinion on Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza yesterday. The
- [New York officials sue Christie's to regain British architect's drawings](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/new-york-officials-sue-christies-to-regain-british-architects-drawings/) - On August 12, the Guardian ran a brief note about a $1M lawsuit lodged at the New York Supreme Court against Christie's, auction house. Parties to the suit disagree over ownership of architectural drawings executed by Jacob Wrey Mould, a British architect and city planner. For the complete story, read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/12/new-york-architect-drawings-mould
- [Argentina Ratifies Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/argentina-ratifies-convention-on-the-protection-of-the-underwater-cultural-heritage/) - On 19 July 2010, Argentina deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The instrument contained the following declaration: "DECLARACION La REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA opta por el procedimiento de transmisión de información previsto en el inciso ii) del apartado b) del párrafo 1 del artículo
- [U.S. - Italy MOU under review -- to renew or not to renew](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/u-s-italy-mou-under-review-to-renew-or-not-to-renew/) - "The State Department Cultural Heritage Center has announced it wants public comments on the potential renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Italy. There will be a meeting of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee on Thursday, May 6, 2010, from 9 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m., and on Friday, May
- [UN-FAIR USE](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/un-fair-use/) - By Stephanie Spangler Matthew Bloomgarden came to speak with CALS on April 19, 2010. He spoke on the topic of fair use, which he recently wrote about for the New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Journal. Bloomgarden is a solo practitioner who advises artists, particularly in the field of appropriation art. Whereas
- [Art Pension Trust (APT): A Savvy Method for Ensuring the Artists' Financial Futures](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/art-pension-trust-apt-a-savvy-method-for-ensuring-the-artists-financial-futures/) - A recent article in The Art Newspaper discusses the Art Pension Trust (APT) as a nest egg for visual artists...if it works. It all depends on the future value of the works contributed to the Trust, which of course depends on the volatility of the art market. See article here.
- [Scientists at the Louvre have discovered the secret to the Mona Lisa’s face](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/scientists-at-the-louvre-have-discovered-the-secret-to-the-mona-lisas-face/) - Scientists, using a new technology, discovered how Da Vinci achieved his signature sfumato effect on the Mona Lisa. Read the article in the Economist: http://www.economist.com/node/16635928?story_id=16635928
- [Hungary Sued in Holocaust Art Claim](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/hungary-sued-in-holocaust-art-claim/) - In what has been called the largest unresolved Holocaust art claim, the heirs of a world-renowned Jewish collector have filed suit against the Hungarian government for the return of dozens of works from masters including El Greco, Zurburan, van Dyck, Velazquez and others. See the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/arts/design/28lawsuit.html
- [Another Odyssey Decisions from FL courts](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/another-odyssey-decisions-from-fl-courts/) - ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC., Plaintiff, v. UNIDENTIFIED, WRECKED, AND ABANDONED SAILING VESSEL, Defendant. Case No. 8:08-cv-1044-T-23MAP. United States District Court, M.D. Florida, Tampa Division. July 30, 2010. ORDER STEVEN D. MERRYDAY, District Judge. The plaintiff, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., recovers artifacts from sunken wrecks. In this case, the plaintiff seeks title to artifacts recovered from
- [Picasso on Tour: Musée Picasso raises money for renovation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/picasso-on-tour-musee-picasso-raises-money-for-renovation/) - How should a museum raise money? This question becomes particularly pressing as more cuts are made to public spending and as museums struggle with restrictions on deaccessioning. This week in The Art Newspaper, Anne Baldassari, Director of the Musée Picasso, defends her decision to raise money for the museum's renovation by organising an international touring
- [Archaelogical Business Models to Grow Economic Development](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/archaelogical-business-models-to-grow-economic-development/) - According to Miliken Institute Report, Israel needs to explore archaeological business models to increase its economic development. On Feb. 2, 2011, the economic think tank issued its recommendation with the following preamble: "Two-thirds of Israel's 64 developed archaeological sites are operating in the red, creating an unsustainable future for the country's incredibly rich and potentially
- [Confirmed Missing from Egyptian Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/confirmed-missing-from-egyptian-museum/) - On Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, Zahi Hawass, Egypt's antiquities minister, said that looters stole several artifacts from Cairo's Egyptian Museum. V&A News reported that "an inventory of the museum's collection revealed that 18 objects were missing, including a gilded wooden statue of King Tutankhamun being carried by a goddess. Parts of another gilded wooden statue
- [Legislative Proposal to Cut Funding for the Arts Threatens NEA](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/legislative-proposal-to-cut-funding-for-the-arts-threatens-nea/) - This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is bringing a Continuing Resolution appropriation proposal which includes cutting millions from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) budget. According to the Alliance for the Arts, the amount will be about $22.5 million. According to the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriation Committee page, the amount is about
- [Where can future lawyers meet with artists? Check out the new space at the Lincoln Center.](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/where-can-future-lawyers-meet-with-artists-check-out-the-new-space-at-the-lincoln-center/) - The David Rubenstein Atrium, located on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd streets, is the Upper West Side’s hottest new spot for students to study, grab a bite to eat with friends or get a great deal on day-of discount tickets to Lincoln Center performances. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, this cultural
- [Google, trade marks, and European Court of Justice](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/google-trade-marks-and-european-court-of-justice/) - "PARIS—The European Union's highest court ruled Tuesday that Google Inc. has the right to sell ads linked to the Louis Vuitton name and other famous brands, a landmark judgment that clears search engines of trademark liability in Europe and protects a crucial revenue stream. The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled that Google is
- [THE EVER-CHANGING LEGAL CANVAS: AN EXAMINATION OF LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE VISUAL ARTS COMMUNITY FOR ARTISTS AND THE LAWYERS WHO HELP PROTECT THEM](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/the-ever-changing-legal-canvas-an-examination-of-legal-issues-affecting-the-visual-arts-community-for-artists-and-the-lawyers-who-help-protect-them/) - Don't Miss: An Art Law and Culture Symposium The Cornell Club The Ivy Room 6 East 44th Street, New York City April 9, 2010, 12:00pm-5:00pm The Art Law and Culture Society, in association with cardozo art law society is pleased to announce a ground-breaking event, The Ever-changing Legal Canvas. The Symposium will bring together diverse
- [Nefertiti to Remain in Berlin, Natürlich](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/nefertiti-to-remain-in-berlin-naturlich/) - In 1913, the year Ernst Ludwig Kirchner finished his Berlin Street Scene, an Egyptian beauty came to the German capital. Now, almost a hundred years later, Egypt’s antiquities chief, Zahi Hawass, is seeking to return Nefertiti’s bust from the German foundation and the Neue Museum which displays it. The epic sculpture (left) reportedly draws over
- [Museum Wants to Return Objects, How Refreshing](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/museum-wants-to-return-objects-how-refreshing/) - In the late 19th and early 20th century, Minor C. Keith, a railroad magnate and a founder of the United Fruit Company exported thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts out of Costa Rica. The Brooklyn Museum ("Museum") acquired the Keith collection in 1934, five years after Keith’s death. Costa Rica had never claimed these artifacts. However, The
- [Painting the Town Red](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/painting-the-town-red/) - Melanie Gold came up with an idea for an art project in Greenwood Lake, New York. She wanted to create a mural on a white barn at the entrance to the town. She overcame the financial obstacles by obtaining a grant from the 2010 County of Orange Arts Grant Program, and seeking additional funding from
- [Legal Status of Egyptian Mask Under Dispute](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/legal-status-of-egyptian-mask-under-dispute/) - Who owns the ancient Egyptian mummy Mask of Ka-Nefer-Nefer? The mask, which belonged to a noble woman who lived over 3,000 years ago, was found in 1952. The museum, which bought it in 1998, is seeking to enjoin seizure by U.S. authorities. The museum, represented by Jeffrey Simon with Husch Blackwell in Kansas City, says
- [Legal Issues for Dance Companies](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/legal-issues-for-dance-companies/) - On February 12, the Entertainment Arts and Sports Law [EASL] Section Pro Bono Committee of the New York State Bar Association and the New York Foundation for the Arts [NYFA] presented "Legal Issues for Dance Companies" at NYU Law School. The event was directed toward applicants for NYFA's BUILD [Building Up Infrastructure Levels in Dance]
- [Art & Bribery in the U.K.](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-bribery-in-the-u-k/) - What's on the radar for 2011? Corruption and bribery! According to the Huffington Post, The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 has seen a steady increase in criminal sanctions over recent years. The U.K. Bribery Act will go into effect in the new year. However, the UK Act will be "far more draconian than
- [Cleopatra's Kneedle Does not Weather Well in NY](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cleopatras-kneedle-does-not-weather-well-in-ny/) - New York is abuzz with the news that Zahi Hawass, Secretary General for Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, is threatening to take back an iconic obelisk in Central Park unless New York City takes steps to restore hieroglyphics that are almost completely worn away. The obelisk, one of a pair, has been in its present
- [1-2-3 Lawyer Takes a Look at the Legal and Practical Lessons Learned at Art Basel Miami Beach 2010](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/1-2-3-lawyer-takes-a-look-at-the-legal-and-practical-lessons-learned-at-art-basel-miami-beach-2010/) - Brian Frankel, attorney and art collector, attended the Art Basel Miami Beach earlier this month. His observations on three events dealing with law and the arts appeared in the ArtDaily. "1. The Art Salon Discussion on Authenticity and the Law. John Cahill, Donn Zaretsky, and Jo Backer Laird discussed issues involving authenticity of art. The
- [Season to be stealing](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/season-to-be-stealing/) - With art collectors sunbathing and sightseeing, this is a great season to diversify your art portfolio on a shoe string. Case on point: while Robert Romanoff, a New York art collector and heir to a beef company fortune, was away during the Thanksgiving weekend, somebody drilled a hole into his apartment in the Meatpacking District
- [A DaVinci Deal De-coded](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-davinci-deal-de-coded/) - A High Court in London has ruled that two art dealers took an unlawful commission on the sale of a work by Leonardo DaVinci. The Accidia Foundation hired Luxembourg Art Ltd. to find buyers for "Madonna and Child with St. Anne and a Lamb". Luxembourg then hired Simon C Dickinson Ltd., art dealers, for assistance.
- [A Merger for the Arts](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-merger-for-the-arts/) - There is a need for M&A Lawyers for the Arts! When an arts institution focuses on artistic success and runs into administrative difficulties, a merger with an administrative-minded body may present a wonderful opportunity to create a sustainable arts entity. And so the Washington National Opera [WNO], facing a number of administrative difficulties and debts,
- [VARA Claim for the Right of Paternity](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/vara-claim-for-the-right-of-paternity/) - David Ascalon, an Israeli-born sculptor living in Cherry Hill, N.J., create a Holocaust memorial in Harrisburg, Pa. after the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg selected his design for the memorial in 1993. In 2010, Ascalon sued the federation and the Harrisburg Department of Parks and Recreation in federal court in July under the Visual Artists'
- ["A Revolution in Museum Practice"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-revolution-in-museum-practice/) - "What's in a name?" A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, or so we're told, but artists might argue that a work displayed under any other name would not be sweet at all. Attribution, the right of an artist to have his or her name attached to his or her work, is
- [Zimmerli returns Grien](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/zimmerli-returns-grien/) - On January 14, 2011, the Zimmerli Art Museum returned a portrait by Hans Baldung Grien, “Portrait of a Young Man” (1509) (right) to Simon Goodman, grandson of Friedrich and Louise Gutmann, Holocaust victims and previous owners of the painting. Heirs were looking for the painting since 1946. In 2009, Goodman found the lost long painting
- [Italian Prosecutor Ferri Interviewed About Recovery of Antiquities](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/italian-prosecutor-ferri-interviewed-about-recovery-of-antiquities/) - In its January issue, the ArtNewspaper published excerpts of Fabio Isman's interview with Paolo Giorgio Ferri, state prosecutor in the Marion True case (Marion True on her Trial and Ordeal). Ferri is now an "expert in international relations and recovery of works of art" working with Italian Ministry of Culture to curb theft of antiquities.
- [Boy George gives Bishop of Porfyrios of Neapolis an Icon](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/boy-george-gives-bishop-of-porfyrios-of-neapolis-an-icon/) - In 1985, Boy George, the former Culture Club singer, bought an icon from an art dealer in London. At the time it did not matter where the icon came from and how it got to England. In January 2011, he agreed to return the icon to the Church of St. Charalambos (New Chorio-Kythrea, Cyprus) from
- [Fabrication and Conservation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fabrication-and-conservation/) - It is a well-established fact that, in general, copyright lasts for seventy years after the death of the author [17 USC 302]. However, the practices regarding fabrication and conservation of a work, after the death of the author, are not yet established at all. This year, a symposium will be held in New York and
- [EASL Presents Recent Nazi-Era Looted Art Claims and Legal Rights in Life Stories](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/easl-presents-recent-nazi-era-looted-art-claims-and-legal-rights-in-life-stories/) - On January 24, 2011, Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association held its annual meeting at Hilton New York. The program included two panels: Nazi-Era Art Restitution: Recent Case Developments and Whose Life is It Anyway? Life Stories in Media. During the panel dedicated to the recent art
- [Estate Tax and Museums in 2011](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/estate-tax-and-museums-in-2011/) - Estate tax can have huge consequences for museums, which rely in large part upon bequests. In December 2010, the Obama administration signed new tax legislation into law. The new law lowers estate taxes, and may thereby have a negative effect on museums. Whatever its failures will be, the new estate tax marks an improvement from
- [The Fate of the Deux Danseuses](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-fate-of-the-deux-danseuses/) - By Caroline Camp This year, Britain is grappling with severe funding cuts in the arts . These cuts have affected many organizations across the board. Arts Council England had its budget for 2010/11 reduced by a total of £23 million, from £468 million to £445 million. However, it is still a mystery how exactly all
- [The Art World: Business as Usual?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-art-world-business-as-usual/) - A recent article in the Economist prompts a review of recent changes in the art market. As the Economist points out, a number of artists have displayed impressive entrepreneurship throughout history. They can change the art market around them by targeting new customers, opening up new channels of distribution, and finding more cost-effective methods of
- [Creative American Folk Art Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/creative-american-folk-art-museum/) - Why can I not get my mortgage loan approved? Because some borrow more money than they can pay back. In June 2009, the American Folk Art Museum defaulted on payments for the $32 million loan they borrowed to construct a new building. According to a Bloomberg report, the museum "has missed a total of $3.7
- ["Nereid Sweetmeat Stand" Repatriated to Dresden State Art Collection](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/nereid-sweetmeat-stand-repatriated-to-dresden-state-art-collection/) - An investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has resulted in the return of German art stolen during World War II. One part of a porcelain dinner service, the Nereid Sweetmeat Stand was manufactured in Meissen, Germany, from the famed Swan Service. A forensic investigation by ICE determined that the
- [Artists Raising Human Rights Concerns](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artists-raising-human-rights-concerns/) - Freedom of expression is supported by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Art. 19), the European Convention on Human Rights (Art. 10), and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But when do protected acts of artistic self-expression cross over into unsupportable criminal activity? Voina, radical art group in Russia, has based its works on
- [More Legal Issues for Dance Companies](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/more-legal-issues-for-dance-companies/) - Dance/NYC held it's Mid-Season Symposium today at 3LD Art and Technology Center in downtown New York. Four main panels were presented on fundraising, dance and diplomacy, collaborative efforts, and spaces for dance making. Underpinning all of these topics was the issue of funding. To help audience members navigate the funding process, U.S. Senator Kirsten E.
- [Art Industry Summit at the Park Avenue Armory](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-industry-summit-at-the-park-avenue-armory/) - Yesterday at the Park Avenue Armory, alongside "the Art Show", the Art Dealers Association of America [ADAA] and The Art Newspaper presented a panel on "Transparency in the market: can we have more of it..." The panel included art dealers, an art consultant, an art lawyer, the chairman of Christie's International, and the founder of
- [Celebrate Canada and Canadian Heritage (and learn)](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/celebrate-canada-and-canadian-heritage-and-learn/) - The story begins: "Thanks to a generous contribution from the Department of Canadian Heritage's Movable Cultural Property Program, the National Gallery of Canada has acquired a unique and highly-significant vase for its international art collection. The Ptarmigan Vase, made of copper, silver and gold, was designed by the exceptionally-talented American Tiffany & Co. designer George
- [Cultural Property Advisory Committee (1983-2025): Its History, Implementation, Separation of Powers Considerations, and Proposed Amendments](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cultural-property-advisory-committee-1983-2025-its-history-implementation-separation-of-powers-considerations-and-proposed-amendments/) - By Devin Dowling Since the Center’s latest edition of Keeping up with the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, the Cultural Property Advisory Committee’s (“CPAC” or the “Committee”) February 2025 meeting has been postponed indefinitely, as of this article’s publication.[1] The public meeting was expected to address a new request for cultural property import restrictions
- [Recent Developments in AI, Art & Copyright: Copyright Office Report & New Registrations](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/recent-developments-in-ai-art-copyright-copyright-office-report-new-registrations/) - By Atreya Mathur In January 2025, the U.S. Copyright Office released Part 2 of its report, Copyright and Artificial Intelligence: Copyrightability (“the 2025 Report”) providing a detailed legal and policy analysis of how copyright law applies to AI-generated content.[1] Part 2 builds on foundational principles of copyright law, reaffirming that human authorship remains the cornerstone
- [Interview with Anna B. Rubin, Director, Holocaust Claims Processing Office (NYS)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/interview-with-anna-rubin-holocaust-claims-processing-office/) - MEET ANNA RUBIN Anna B. Rubin started her career at the Holocaust Claims Processing Office (HCPO) in 2001 as a Holocaust Claims Specialist, later advancing to Deputy Director before assuming the role of Director in 2007. As Director at the New York State Department of Financial Services, Anna has overseen the organization's daily operations for
- [Repatriation in Context: The Case for Cooperation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/repatriation-in-context-the-case-for-cooperation/) - By John Freeman Cultural heritage is contentious.[1] Recent litigation between the Getty Museum and Italy is a testament to the polarized nature of these disputes, which pit museums against nation states.[2] While Italy argues that the ancient bronze statue known as the “Victorious Youth” should return to Italy, the Getty Museum contends that the work
- [New York City is the Capital of Art Law!](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/new-york-city-is-the-capital-of-art-law/) - By the Center for Art Law Editorial Team From May 12-16, the Center for Art Law hosted its inaugural summer school—an intensive five-day program packed with lectures, field trips, and memorable encounters. The week included visits to TEFAF, Sotheby's, Brooklyn Museum, MSCHF HQ, a gallery crawl crowned with an arrest of an artist, not to
- [Custodians of Controversy: The Legal and Ethical Battle Within the Hilma af Klint Foundation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/custodians-of-controversy-the-legal-and-ethical-battle-within-the-hilma-af-klint-foundation/) - By Julia Beeson The legacy of Hilma af Klint, a visionary Swedish artist and mother of western abstractionism, has become the center of a commercial, legal and philosophical dispute within the Hilma af Klint Foundation (the Foundation). Originally established to preserve her work and spiritual vision, the Foundation is now divided over how her art
- [What's a Law Student to Do?](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/whats-a-law-student-to-do/) - For a story of one J.D. going to Cambodia to work with Heritage Watch, please read here. Excerpt: "After my first year of law school, I spent a month in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with Heritage Watch, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Cambodian cultural heritage sites and fostering sustainable development. As an intern, my job
- [Live Nude Art!](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/live-nude-art/) - Brian Reed's recent exhibition entitled "Through the Heart of It All" featured a living, breathing nude woman (who, oddly enough, also happens to be my high school classmate with whom I lost touch a decade ago-life is full of surprises) standing in the window of Chair and the Maiden Gallery in the West Village. As
- [Congratulations to the Art Law Society's Moot Court Team!](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/congratulations-to-the-art-law-societys-moot-court-team/) - Congratulations to Josh Wolkoff, Kiko White, and Stephanie Spangler for proceeding to the Quarterfinals in the First Annual Cultural Heritage Law Moot Court Competition at Depaul Law School in Chicago. A special thanks to the team's coach Lucille Roussin for her guidance and support. See here for information regarding the competition.
- [THE BIG EVENT: Google, Technology and the Future of the Music Industry](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-big-event-google-technology-and-the-future-of-the-music-industry/) - Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Art Law & IP Law Societies proudly present Panel Discussion on Google, Technology and the Future of the Music Industry Featuring Jim Griffin & Prof. Frank Pasquale Moderated By Prof. Felix Wu Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location: Moot Court Room The discussion
- [GLOBAL PIRACY WATCH: AUSTRALIA'S ISP LIABILITY TEST CASE](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/global-piracy-watch-australias-isp-liability-test-case/) - On Oct. 6, 2009 the Federal Court of Australia began trial in the case of Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) v. iiNet Ltd. In Australia, AFACT is considered a major test case, raising the question of whether an internet service provider (ISP), as the service through which infringers gain access to illegally copied materials,
- [Protecting Egypt's Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/protecting-egypts-cultural-heritage/) - The recent political upheaval in Egypt is not without effect on the country’s cultural property. Reports of theft, vandalism, and looting have resulted in calls for international law enforcement to guard against illegally trafficked cultural artifacts. In the States, the agency charged with seizing illegally imported cultural property is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
- [The Return of a 900 year old Benevento text will not open the floodgates](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/the-return-of-a-900-year-old-benevento-text-will-not-open-the-floodgates/) - The British Library recently returned a 900-year-old manuscript to its place of origin Benevento, Italy. The manuscript was believed to have been taken after Nazi troops fled the area from allied forces. The 12th-century manuscript is the first item to be returned by Britain under The Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act. Mr. Scott,
- [Russia on Loan(s) again](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/russia-on-loans-again/) - On Feb. 2, 2011, The New York Times reported that Gauguin exhibit at the National Gallery of Art will not have all the canvases expected. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, organizing an exhibition of Cézanne’s famous card player paintings, too, might be missing at least one table of players. The shows are suffering from a
- [Con Art Dealer on Trial for Fraud](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/con-art-dealer-on-trial-for-fraud/) - Spring is in the air. What could be better than a trial of an art dealer convicted of tax fraud?! The Associated Press reported that the former art dealer from Rhode Island, Rocco DeSimone, stands trial for mail fraud beginning Mar. 2, 2011. DeSimone was convicted of tax fraud in 2005 but has pleaded not
- [Dances With Bisons Starring Costner and Detmers -- UPDATED 5/15/12](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/dances-with-bisons-starring-costner-and-detmers-updated-5-15-12/) - Rapid City Journal reported on the case brought by Pegy Detmers, an artist who created a bronze sculpture for Kevin Costner, against the latter to force the actor/singer to sell her work of art. The first hearing took place on Feb. 22, 2011. Detmers allegedly she spent more than six years creating the sculpture, titled
- [Art Dealers Under Review: The Wildensteins](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-dealers-under-review-the-wildensteins/) - Transparency in the art market is a hot topic at the moment. Shady art dealers are receiving most of the blame for various obfuscations and deals gone wrong, and the Wildenstein family is doing little to improve their image. The Los Angeles Times discusses the controversy surrounding the family in a recently published article entitled,
- ["Limited Edition" Murakami Lawsuit Settled ...](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/limited-edition-murakami-lawsuit-settled/) - In 2007, artist Takashi Murakami made the bold move of incorporating a boutique into his exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, "(c) Murakami". It was the first time anyone had incorporated a boutique into a formal exhibit this way. The New York Times reported that "visitors were indeed snapping up the
- [Stolen Rodin Sculpture Found but Disappearance Still a Mystery](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/stolen-rodin-sculpture-found-but-disappearance-still-a-mystery/) - Three years ago, the Israel Museum reported that Balzac Nude with Arms Crossed was missing. Though the sculpture was recovered shortly afterwards, neither museum officials nor Jerusalem police had much to say by of explanation. Reportedly, the bronze sculpture is so heavy that it would have been nearly impossible to remove it without a vehicle.
- ["The Desert of Forbidden Art"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-desert-of-forbidden-art/) - It is rather difficult to wrap one's mind around the idea that one of the world's most impressive art collections is in a desert in Uzbekistan. Since yesterday's film screening of "The Desert of Forbidden Art" at the Museum of Modern Art, this is what I have been attempting to do. Igor Vitalievich Savitsky, a
- [Unrest Against Gaddafi Spares Libya's Roman Sites (for now)](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/unrest-against-gaddafi-spares-libyas-roman-sites-for-now/) - It may be too early to tell but so far Libyans appear determined to safeguard their rich cultural heritage during the popular unrest against leader Muammar Gaddafi. Looting seen in neighboring Egypt's revolution suggested that no change of authorities would occur without affecting archaeological sites. Yet, the ArtDaily reported that cultural artifacts in Libya appeared
- [Re-visiting Barnes -- One more time with feeling](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/re-visiting-barnes-one-more-time-with-feeling/) - On March 18, 2011, a Montgomery County judge will hear from the Barnes Foundation and the state Attorney General's office their reasons why the case of the Barnes Foundation's move from its home in Lower Merion Township to the Parkway in Philadelphia should not be reopened. "The judge's move follows the filing of a petition
- [Tribal Art Hunter, Esq. or not](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/tribal-art-hunter-esq-or-not/) - Tribal Art Hunter, with Stacey A. Giulianti, Esq. as it's Managing Director, is an art consultancy business for nationwide clients. The new business specializes in ethnographic art and will "will assist clients in purchasing historical artwork of the highest provenance, negotiating prices, appraising artifacts, and assembling collections for customers of all levels and interests." The
- [Hot Shot](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/hot-shot/) - Blake Gopnik at the Daily Beast has pointed out that the cover of this weekend's New York Times Style magazine featured nearly the same composition as a photograph first exhibited in 2003 by Josephine Meckseper. Is this a coincidence, an homage, a rip off? For legal purposes - is this a copy? For the artist
- [Danish Cultural Treasure in the United States Seeking Political Asylum?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/danish-cultural-treasure-in-the-united-states-seeking-political-asylum/) - "Man rejser sig fra bordet", a.k.a. "The Anniversary Dinner at Adelaide" is a 105 yrs old painting by the Danish painter Laurits Tuxen. Ten years ago, in 1991, the Danish National Cultural Treasures Committee decided that it was of such major cultural importance for Denmark that it could not leave the country without a permission.
- [No Statute of Limitation on Doing What's Right: First of Korean Royal Books Come Home 145 Years After Looting](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/no-statute-of-limitation-on-doing-whats-right-first-of-korean-royal-books-come-home-145-years-after-looting/) - On April 14, 2011, some of Korean royal books looted by the French in 1866 were received by National Museum of Korea in Seoul, South Korea. The books were not returned but rather sent per "renewable lease" agreement based on the French law on cultural assets. As reported by Korea.net, the lease means that the
- [UPDATED: Knoedler & Co: thanks for ALL the memories](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/updated-knoedler-co-thanks-for-all-the-memories/) - After 165 in business, Knoedler & Co gallery is now closed. The website for the gallery has the following announcement “It is with profound regret that the owners of Knoedler Gallery announce its closing, effective today. This was a business decision made after careful consideration over the course of an extended period of time. Gallery
- [Bungling Burglars Sentenced for Durham University's Oriental Museum Theft](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/bungling-burglars-sentenced-for-durham-universitys-oriental-museum-theft/) - Two men cut their way into the Durham University Oriental Museum the night of April 4th, 2012. Labelled by the British press as a "crack team," they ran off with a Qing Dynasty porcelain sculpture and an 18th century carved jade bowl, together valued at over £2 million ($3 million). The thieves spent 40 minutes
- [Starrs not Paying Taxes?! You can't be serious!](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/starrs-not-paying-taxes-you-cant-be-serious/) - Tell me what side you are on, so I know what side I am on. To start, in December 2010, Wesley Snipes reported to a federal prison in Philadelphia to serve a three-year sentence for tax evasion. Now, Accounting Today and various tabloids have broken the story that some other film industry icons, namely Martin
- [Google Art Project](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/google-art-project/) - It's official. According to Michael Humphrey, blogging for Forbes, Google is the coolest company on earth because it just rolled out an amazing resource -- Google Art Project. The new portal powered by Google allows you to "explore museums from around the world, discover and view hundreds of artworks at incredible zoom levels, and even
- [Artist Vending Rules in NYC](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artist-vending-rules-in-nyc/) - The Big Apple is seeking to stifle creativity and artistic expression by limiting and restricting "expressive matter" vending in Central Park, Union Square Park, Battery Park and the High Line. A law to this effect was passed in July 2010. Now, artists are suing to take back their streets and hot spots. There are two
- [Copyrighting Che](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/copyrighting-che/) - In 1968, shortly after Che Guevara's death, Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick published an image of Che. Fitzpatrick allowed other revolutionary groups to use the image, free of copyright assertions. Today, it is not uncommon for American teenagers to have T-Shirts and posters bearing this image. Are these Western teens supporters of Che's communist ideas? Probably
- [Conserving Van Gogh's Sunflowers](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/conserving-van-goghs-sunflowers/) - As scientists make new discoveries about artists' materials, and as art historians make new discoveries about artists' intentions, more efforts can be made to conserve and restore works. Do these efforts create new, derivative works? It is still unclear what the effect of these efforts on authorship and authenticity of works will be. Through new
- [Next Chapter in the Seaport Museum History?](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/next-chapter-in-the-seaport-museum-history/) - In Feb. 14, 2011, the Seaport Museum New York furloughed* 32 employees (curatorial and development department), reportedly half of its staff. That's not all, the New York Times reported that in January and February, seven of the 21 trustees resigned from the board and all future exhibitions have been put on hold. On Feb. 17,
- [Delaware Officials Return Stolen Artifacts to Iraq](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/delaware-officials-return-stolen-artifacts-to-iraq/) - During the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq looting of the Iraqi National Museum received significant media coverage. Last summer, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware recovered 25 Iraqi artifacts from a California antiquities dealer. On Friday, the items were formally repatriated. In a brief ceremony, U.S. Attorney for Delaware Charles M. Oberly III presented them
- [Run DMC, Transformed? A street artist claims fair use](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/run-dmc-transformed-a-street-artist-claims-fair-use/) - Is Thierry Guetta (AKA Mr. Brainwash) for real? Only real legal persons can be sued... Like Shephard Fairey, Guetta has thrown off the cloaks of anonymity typically worn by street artists and has exposed himself to claims of copyright infringement. Street art is based on the use of popular images from the cultural mainstream, but
- [China Displaces Britain as the World's Second Largest Art and Antiques Market](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/china-displaces-britain-as-the-worlds-second-largest-art-and-antiques-market/) - One of our Most Favored Nation, China is now the world's second largest art and antiques market, overtaking Britain. It is possible that the EU tariffs on art imports planned for 2012 would further shake its position in the art market. The report, commissioned by the European Fine Art Foundation, estimated the value of the
- [Government sues to seize St. Louis museum's mummy mask](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/government-sues-to-seize-st-louis-museums-mummy-mask/) - According to St. Louis Today, the U.S. attorney's office moved to seize a 3,200-year-old mummy mask that was stolen from Egypt before being bought for display in the St. Louis Art Museum. The museum is not taking this lightly and had moved to preempt the government's taking of the mask.Effectively, "the government wants custody of
- [Parties in Adams Photo Dispute Settle](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/parties-in-adams-photo-dispute-settle/) - The parties in Ansel Adams Publishing Trust v. Norsigian have settled. While details are secret, no money appears to have changed hands and both sides will bear their own legal costs. The issue began 10 years ago when Rick Norsigian bought 65 plate-glass negatives at a garage sale in Fresno. The Adams Trust disputed that
- [UPDATE: NYTimes Covers Recent Developments in Ongoing Federal Case Against Sotheby's for Return of Cambodian Statue](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/update-nytimes-covers-recent-developments-in-ongoing-federal-case-against-sothebys-for-return-of-cambodian-statue/) - Federal prosecutors, endeavoring to secure the return of an ancient three-million dollar statue of a Hindu warrior to Cambodia, have accused Sotheby's of conspiring with the artwork's owner to cover up information relating to its illicit removal from a temple in 1972 during the bloody regime of the Khmer Rouge. As proof, prosecutors claim that
- [Eden Burgess (DC) and Jan Hladik (Paris) Visit Big Apple](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/eden-burgess-dc-and-jan-hladik-paris-visit-big-apple/) - Spring is an exciting time in New York: people wear slightly less black, streets look cleaner thanks to flowers, and art law blossoms. Last year, Cardozo ended its Art Law semester with an all day Cultural Heritage and Human Rights Symposium. This year, we may be outdoing ourselves. Four speakers in March. This week alone,
- [Angola Joins UNESCO's "Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/angola-joins-unescos-convention-for-the-protection-of-cultural-property-in-the-event-of-armed-conflict/) - On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, Angola was added to UNESCO's "Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict." The African nation will officially enter into the Convention three months following this date, on May 7, 2012. The "Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed
- [Nazi-Era Art Litigation: Orkin v Swiss Confederation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/nazi-era-art-litigation-orkin-v-swiss-confederation/) - On October 4, Orkin v Swiss Confederation was heard at the court of appeals for the second circuit in downtown Manhattan. Plaintiff Andrew Orkin's great-grandmother, Margarethe Mauthner, had sold a work by Vincent Van Gogh to Swiss art collector Oskar Reinhart in 1933. Orkin claims that his Jewish great-grandmother sold the pen-and-ink drawing under duress,
- [Shaping History: Monument-Toppling, Racial Justice and the Law](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/shaping-history-monument-toppling-racial-justice-and-the-law/) - By Center for Art Law Two years after the 2017 “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, including the terror killing of counter-protestor Heather Heyer, the culprit confederate statues of Robert E. Lee (Henry Shrady and Leo Lentelli, 1924) and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (Charles Keck, 1921) (the “Statues”) have been allowed to stay in
- [They did WHAT? -- Rurik Dynasty Lawsuit Forces Russia to Prove Kremlin Ownership](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/they-did-what-rurik-dynasty-lawsuit-forces-russia-to-prove-kremlin-ownership/) - On Aug. 17, 2010, Bloomberg's Anastasia Ustinova reported that " A Moscow court gave the government a month to prove it owns the Kremlin, after descendents of the country’s founding dynasty sued for the right to use the property that their forefathers built and inhabited. The Moscow Arbitration Court yesterday ordered the Federal Property Management
- [$19 million settlement frees "Portrait of Wally" after 13 year of legal disputes](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/19-million-settlement-frees-portrait-of-wally-after-13-year-of-legal-disputes/) - On July 20, 2010, the United States Government, the Estate and the Leopold Museum Privat-Stiftung (the “Leopold Museum”) have agreed to settle the long-pending case of United States of America v. Portrait of Wally, which was going to trial in Manhattan on July 26, 2010. The case involved a painting by Egon Schiele, stolen from
- [I was in the Royal Court of Justice in July . . .](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/i-was-in-the-royal-court-of-justice-in-july/) - Wanted: government work of art legs it from UK's supreme court Web only -- Published online 30 Jul 10 The UK's Government Art Collection has suffered the misfortune to have had one of its works stolen or lost in the Royal Courts of Justice, in London's Strand. In response to a Parliamentary Question this month,
- [Phillips de Pury & Co. to sell art works of the now-defunct, Dreier LLP law firm](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/phillips-de-pury-co-to-sell-art-works-of-the-now-defunct-dreier-llp-law-firm/) - When Dreier LLP filed for Chapter 11 protection in bankruptcy court in Manhattan, claiming to have liabilities tallying between $10 million and $50 million, they knew they would have to part with their collection of 20th Century Master prints. Credits waiting satisfaction include, landlord of 499 Park Ave. ($908k); West Publishing ($441k); American Express ($323k);
- [Cardozo sponsors International Law and Film Conference](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cardozo-sponsors-international-law-and-film-conference/) - Cardozo School of Law and NYU with the participation of the Institut d’histoire du temps présent (CNRS, Paris) will host: "Making History in the Courtroom: From the Soviet Show Trials to the Khmer Rouge Trials" Wednesday-Friday, September 15 - 17. Events at Cardozo School of Law and NYU. Cardozo Professors Peter Goodrich and Christian Delage,
- [California Bill Could Alter the Restitution of Nazi-Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/california-bill-could-alter-the-restitution-of-nazi-looted-art/) - On August 30, 2010, a bill was approved by California lawmakers allowing for the extension of the amount of time during which citizens in that state can sue museums, galleries, and auction houses for the recovery of stolen works of art. ... "The incensed members of the California Association of Museums, however, believe that the
- [Where does Tax Law meet Art Law meet T&E law? In museums perhaps?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/where-does-tax-law-meet-art-law-meet-te-law-in-museums-perhaps/) - If you are thinking of being a tax lawyer, you might find this interesting. If you are not thinking of being a tax lawyer, think again. Take a look at two very interesting articles on inheritance tax and tax reform. 1. "If people begin to get used to the idea of no or low inheritance
- [FAIR USE?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/fair-use/) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled on February 25, 2010 in Gaylord v U.S. that a postage stamp infringed a sculptor's copyright in the Korean War Memorial. Read Peter Friedman express his disappointment and find a link to the decision here.
- [SHEPARD FAIREY V. ASSOCIATED PRESS (PICTURE'S WORTH SOMETHING)](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/shepard-fairey-v-associated-press-pictures-worth-something/) - STATEMENT BY SHEPARD FAIREY ON ASSOCIATED PRESS FAIR USE CASE OCTOBER 16, 2009 “In an effort to keep everyone up to date on my legal battle to uphold the principle of fair use in copyright laws, I wanted to notify you of a recent development in my case against The Associated Press (AP). On October
- [A Museum's Online Image Library](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/a-museums-online-image-library/) - Carol Vogel at the New York Times has reported that the Los Angeles County Museum of Art [LACMA] will provide high-resolution images in its online Image Library. The images will be available free of charge and free of restrictions on use. What about copyright? "So far about 2,000 images — only those in the public
- [Loyola hosts a conference on "Reclaiming Art and other Heirlooms Lost in Atrocities"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/loyola-hosts-a-conference-on-reclaiming-art-and-other-heirlooms-lost-in-atrocities/) - On March 11, 2011, Loyola Law School organized a symposium entitled "Remnants of Genocide: Reclaiming Art and other Heirlooms Lost in Atrocities." The panelists discussed Nazi Era Looted Art, and the growing number of legal cases involving art looted during the Armenian genocide, as well as the ramifications of looting on cultural heritage. One of
- [Scotland Yard Research Shows Van Meegeren’s Secret Supplies](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/scotland-yard-research-shows-van-meegerens-secret-supplies/) - A secret Scotland Yard report shows that the notorious Dutch forger Han van Meegeren bought rare lapis lazuli paint for his “Vermeers” from Winsor & Newton. Early in 1931 he purchased what may have been the equivalent of eight years’ total sales of the pigment by the UK firm, which was one of the few
- [YouTube copyright case in Spain -- Google cleared](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/youtube-copyright-case-in-spain-google-cleared/) - "Google has been cleared in a YouTube copyright-infringement case filed by a Spanish broadcaster. In its lawsuit against the search giant, Spanish broadcaster Telecinco claimed that YouTube should be held responsible for people who upload videos that infringe on Telecinco's copyrights. But a federal court in Madrid rejected those claims today, ruling that it is
- [Controversy over Michelangelo's "David"](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/controversy-over-michelangelos-david/) - A brewing controversy over whether Michelangelo's "David," long considered a symbol of Florence, is owned by the city of Florence or the state of Italy was reported in yesterday's NY Times. Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/world/europe/01david.html?_r=1
- [Opinion on taking American Indian artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/opinion-on-taking-american-indian-artifacts/) - Another Sentenced In 4 Corners Artifacts Case PAUL FOY, Associated Press Writer SALT LAKE CITY (AP) ¯ A Utah man who once bragged about taking American Indian artifacts from federal lands avoided jail time Thursday after a federal judge said he decided to show leniency after reading letters from the man's two daughters. U.S. District
- [Thomas Kline for The Wall Street Journal on US v. Wally](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/thomas-kline-for-the-wall-street-journal-on-us-v-wally/) - Lots of writing has seen the light and much more will come out following the $19 million settlement of U.S. v Portrait of Wally. If you missed an important article by Thomas R. Kline, a partner at Andrews Kurth LLP and famed art lawyer, here is the opening paragraph: "In the decades following World War
- [Largest Graffiti Tag in the World in New York City?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/largest-graffiti-tag-in-the-world-in-new-york-city/) - Have you ever noticed the thin orange line on many streets throughout the East and West Villages? This just might be the largest graffiti tag in the world. Read more and see an image in the New York Time's article, "An Artist’s Alfresco John Hancock": http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/18/arts/design/18momo.html
- [Art in the Time of Chaos: Soviet Propaganda Art v. Nonconformist Art](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/art-in-the-time-of-chaos-soviet-propaganda-art-v-nonconformist-art/) - On Feb. 22, 2010, Cardozo hosted a Russian art (law) event with Mark Kelner, Washington D.C.-based art dealer and curator, specialist in post-War Russian art. The presentation centered around the history of subversive Russian art, censorship in the Soviet Union and modern Russia, and the current-day legal issues associated with forgeries and theft of these
- [The Aesthetics of the Contract and the Contract of Aesthetics” by LMCC](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/the-aesthetics-of-the-contract-and-the-contract-of-aesthetics-by-lmcc/) - The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council is hosting a series of presentations that may be of interest. In particular, at the NYCBA on Friday, March 5 at 6:30pm, curator/lawyer Daniel McClean will speak on “The Aesthetics of the Contract and the Contract of Aesthetics” ("how Post-Conceptual artists use the medium of the contract to create artworks,
- [Estate Plannig and "an Art GRAT"?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/estate-plannig-and-an-art-grat/) - Estate Planning: Is it Time for an Art GRAT? by Michael Arlein Disappointing as the economic downturn has been, it may present an estate planning opportunity for many art collectors. The depressed value of art means that outright gifts generate less gift tax than they would in a stronger economy, so for collectors who believe
- [Sotheby's Controversial Sale of Pre-Columbian Artifacts Yields Low Sales Figures and Highlights the Increased Efforts of Countries to Repatriate Artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/sothebys-controversial-sale-of-pre-columbian-artifacts-yields-low-sales-figures-and-highlights-the-increased-efforts-of-countries-to-repatriate-artifacts/) - Sale of pre-Columbian artifacts predominantly from the Barbier-Mueller collection, conducted over March 22-23 at Sotheby's in Paris, proved an anti-climactic end to a controversial story. Though estimated to bring in a total of $19 to 23 million, the sale only made $13.3 million and 165 of the 313 lots were unsold. An unwelcome spotlight had
- [Access Restricted @ Cardozo on March 10, 2010](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/access-restricted-cardozo-on-march-10-2010/) - On March 10, 2010, Cardozo Art Law Society, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts & Lower Manhattan Cultural Council hosted a mock lecture based on "No Country for Old Men."
- [Google Now Facing Visual Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/google-now-facing-visual-artists/) - The end of Google's trials and tribulations will not end with Judge Chin's ruling on the settlement with authors and publishers (hopefully to come over the next few months). Visual artists are now threatening to sue Google. “We are seeking justice and fair compensation for visual artists whose work appears in the 12 million books
- [Lesley Rosenthal -- Lincoln Center -- Dean's Speaker Series](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/lesley-rosenthal-lincoln-center-deans-speaker-series/) - This Monday (4/12) at noon in room 407 the Dean's Speaker Series in partnership with the Cardozo Art Law Society welcome Lesley Rosenthal Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Kimberly Ayers Shariff, Deputy General Counsel of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to the Law School. Lunch will be served. MUST RSVP TO CARDOZOARTLAW@GMAIL.COM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- [One Point for Deaccessioning Regulation Advocates](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/one-point-for-deaccessioning-regulation-advocates/) - Recently, the Blanden Memorial Art Museum (Fort Dodge, Iowa) deaccessioned many works in an auction. The lack of transparency in the process and the shockingly low opening bids attracted stark criticism by the AAM. This is one example of why some feel the need for deaccessioning legislation. Thoughts? Should the well-behaved museums suffer for the
- [Access Restricted: “A New Era in Sentencing?”](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/access-restricted-a-new-era-in-sentencing/) - Upcoming VLA event: Wednesday March 31, 2010 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Guest speaker Douglas Berman, co-author of a leading casebook, Sentencing Law and Policy and managing editor of the Federal Sentencing Reporter and the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law, will present various alternatives to sentencing guidelines from within a landmarked centerpiece of New
- [THE MUSIC BUSINESS -- FROM THE TRENCHES](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-music-business-from-the-trenches/) - By Chris Rinken, (Cardozo, Class 2012) On April 22, SELSA and NARIP, the National Assn. of Record Industry Professionals, presented “Art of the Music Deal – The Management Deal” at the Law School. The panel included Tess Taylor, the president of NARIP, as mediator; Joe Hegleman from Ron Shapiro Management, representing the personal manager
- [Kustodiev's Odalisque under review](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/kustodievs-odalisque-under-review/) - Russian Tycoon Viktor Vekselberg is set to sue Christie's over a painting he alleges is a fake. As reported by The Telegraph, Vekselberg (net worth:$6.4 billion) bought the painting, “Odalisque” by Boris Kustodiev, in 2005 for $2.6 million. A year later, Aurora Fine Arts, an investment vehicle belonging to Vekselberg, contacted Christie's asking for the
- [Arts v. Ads -- something light in this part of the city](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/arts-v-ads-something-light-in-this-part-of-the-city/) - Five people were arrested yesterday for defacing billboards in an effort to replace ads with art. The five were among dozens armed with paint and brushes who spread out over lower Manhattan and whitewashed billboards to "reclaim" public space as part of a protest organized by the Public Ad Campaign. Three of the artists were
- [Nazi Looted Paintings Discovered at Southern Methodist University](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/nazi-looted-paintings-discovered-at-southern-methodist-university/) - Monuments Men Foundation Announces that Famous Murillo Paintings Stolen from Rothschild Family in Paris, Later Discovered by the Monuments Men during World War II, have Been Identified at SMU's Meadows Museum DALLAS, Oct. 22, /PRNewswire- USNewswire/ -- BREAKING NEWS: Based on new evidence about the systematic looting of art from Jewish owners in the course
- [Bulgarian Cultural Property Law: Case Study](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/bulgarian-cultural-property-law-case-study/) - From: The Sofia Echo, October 30, 2009 Bulgaria's new law on cultural heritage is about to face one of its first tests in the prosecution of Dimitar Draganov, a professor in numismatics from the town of Rousse on the Danube. On October 23, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) said that prosecutors had accused Draganov of participation
- [DOJ Urges 7th Circuit to Shield Iranian Artifacts From Seizure by Terrorism Victims](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/doj-urges-7th-circuit-to-shield-iranian-artifacts-from-seizure-by-terrorism-victims/) - While the United States and Iran heatedly battle over nuclear disarmament on the world stage, they joined forces last week before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court heard arguments on Oct. 26 in a case asking whether the Field Museum in Chicago and the University of Chicago must give up artifacts
- [Stolen Cultural Property: Brown Bag Lunch with Alice Segal (2009)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/stolen-cultural-property-brown-bag-lunch-with-alice-segal-2009/) - Alice Segal is an immigration specialist with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of the Department of Homeland Security. Although an immigration specialist seems an unlikely guest speaker for the Cardozo Art Law Society, Segal has been assigned to Cultural Property and Art Law investigations. Although it’s not the Thomas Crown Affair, the work
- [U.S. Museums’ Use of Declaratory Judgments to Preempt Nazi-Looted Art Claims](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/u-s-museums-use-of-declaratory-judgments-to-preempt-nazi-looted-art-claims/) - Brown Bag Lunch with Jennifer Anglim Kreder - November 18, 2009 Jennifer Anglim Kreder, an Associate Professor of Law at NKU Chase College of Law, focuses in restitution claims for Nazi-stolen artwork. Her current research involves prior adjudication claims by museums to effectively bar potential claims for restitution for illegally acquired artwork during WWII and
- [Museums Take Pro Sports Gambling to the Next Level](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/museums-take-pro-sports-gambling-to-the-next-level/) - A new kind of transaction to spice up the art market: "A tale in 13 tweets: the head honchos of the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Indianapolis Museum of Art have reached an agreement in a high stakes art exchange based on the outcome of the Superbowl. Both museums responded to a dare
- [Remodelling the UK’s ‘Gold-Plated Copyright Regime’ and its Impacts on Creative Industries and AI Training](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/remodelling-the-uks-gold-plated-copyright-regime-and-its-impacts-on-creative-industries-and-ai-training/) - By Aminah Asif On the 17th of December, 2024, the UK government published an open consultation paper on ‘Copyright and Artificial Intelligence (“AI”)’ which evaluated several proposals for how existing copyright law could be changed.[1] The government recognises the AI sector and creative industries as essential to the UK’s economic development and intends to develop
- [Yes Rasta: Richard Prince loses copyright suit](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/yes-rasta-richard-prince-loses-copyright-suit/) - Patrick Cariou spent many years living in Rastafarian communities, immersing himself in Rasta culture and snapping hundreds of photographs. He published his work in a book titled, "Yes, Rasta" in 2000. Richard Prince probably spent a fraction of that time altering Cariou's photographs by painting over them with guitars and shapes. In 2008 he exhibited
- [NPS Withholds Grant Money from Mexican-American Museum Pending Dispute over Native-American Remains](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/nps-withholds-grant-money-from-mexican-american-museum-pending-dispute-over-native-american-remains/) - The National Park Service is withholding $104,000 of grant money from a Mexican-American museum pending resolution of a dispute over tribal remains found during the museum's construction. Los Angeles County supports the museum. The remains, which were found by construction crews working on a garden, appear to be part of a cemetery originally thought to
- [Art Authentication: another foundation comes under scrutiny](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-authentication-another-foundation-comes-under-scrutiny/) - The Dedalus Foundation was created by Robert Motherwell, and it now owns the copyright to his works and operates to preserve his legacy. Two recent lawsuit have brought the Foundation under scrutiny for its authentication practices. "Regardless of their legal outcomes, the two cases shed light on the closed world of artist foundations and the
- [Human Rights and Cultural Heritage: From the Holocaust to the Haitian Earthquake](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/human-rights-and-cultural-heritage-from-the-holocaust-to-the-haitian-earthquake/) - The American Society of International Law, the Lawyers' Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation, the Art Law Society of Cardozo Law School, and the Hofstra Law School Art and Cultural Heritage Club presented "Human Rights and Cultural Heritage: From the Holocaust to the Haitian Earthquake" at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law on March 31st.
- [Ossip Zadkine: Who Owns the Sculptor's Estate?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ossip-zadkine-who-owns-the-sculptors-estate/) - Ossip Zadkine was a Russian Jewish artist that lived and worked in France until his death in 1967. Over 40 years later, a legal battle ensues over the rights to his estate. Zadkine had a wife, Valentine Prax, and she inherited the estate upon the artist's death. Zadkine also had a son, Nicolas Hasle, but
- [Brush Up on Your Spanish and Art Crime Prevention -- Spain Publishes Catalog of Stolen Art and Robert Wittman Inc. Offers Lectures on The Same](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/brush-up-on-your-spanish-and-art-crime-prevention-spain-publishes-catalog-of-stolen-art-and-robert-wittman-inc-offers-lectures-on-the-same/) - To reunite art owners and stolen art, Spanish police have published a 192 page catalog of high value objects retrieved during various raids. These works include drawings by Pablo Picasso, sculpture, rare archaeological objects, watches, coins and medals. As for those not in Spain, who's art has not been recovered yet, or stolen for that
- [National Endowment for the "Arts", including Video Games?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/national-endowment-for-the-arts-including-video-games/) - It was recently announced that the National Endowment for the Arts will be renaming its "Arts on Television and Radio" program "Arts in Media." The new program will include grants for video-game creators, as well as for artists who create mobile and interactive platforms. This is tantamount to federal recognition of video games as "art,"
- [Inspiration or Infringement: Gordon v McGinley](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/inspiration-or-infringement-gordon-v-mcginley/) - This July, NY photographer Janine Gordon filed a lawsuit against another NY photographer, Ryan McGinley, for copyright infringement. Her suit alleged that the copyright in 150 of her photographs had been infringed, and she demanded $30,000 in statutory damages per instance of copyright infringement. New York is a big city, but the art world is
- [Copyright Protection, Freedom of Expression, and Fashion Show Photographs?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/copyright-protection-freedom-of-expression-and-fashion-show-photographs/) - Barry Werbin a Partner at Herrick Feinstein LLP wrote a review of the Ashby Donald and others v. France [ECtHR (5th section), 10 January 2013] decision for the EASL Blog. Claimants were photographers -- Robert Ashby Donald (USA), Marcio Madeira Moraes (Brasil) and Olivier Claisse (France). Following is an excerpt: "A fascinating and unusual decision of first
- [The Performing Arts Businesses](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-performing-arts-businesses/) - "It's no longer enough for performing arts centers to focus on what's on stage," said Lawrence P. Goldman, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's founder, president and CEO. So what else should they focus on? Two major performing arts centers are looking for new business opportunities. Last week, Lincoln Center announced plans to act as
- [Timing is everything: Ai Weiwei detained on his way to Hong Kong](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/timing-is-everything-ai-weiwei-detained-on-his-way-to-hong-kong/) - On April 3, 2011, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who designed Beijing's iconic Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium, was detained at immigration control when traveling to Hong Kong. His studio was raided and Chinese officials have not released him or commented on his whereabouts. Perhaps he was coming to Hong Kong to attend an art auction, perhaps
- [New York Gallery Closures and Legal Impacts for Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/new-york-gallery-closures-and-legal-impacts-for-artists/) - By Carla Frade Home to more than 760 galleries with at least one paid employee, as well as the top-tier and highest-end galleries in the US, the New York gallery scene is estimated to account for up to 90% of global sales’ value.[1] Despite the superlative numbers, the City has seen a wave of gallery
- [The Real Banksy: Anonymity and Authenticity in the Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-real-banksy-anonymity-and-authenticity-in-the-art-market/) - By Alexandra Even Banksy’s anonymity is as a part of his brand as his art. But it now appears the artist’s long-held secret may be in jeopardy: Banksy has recently been involved in a number of legal battles with a greeting card company over a trademark dispute and now a libel lawsuit. The lawsuits have
- [Artificial Intelligence versus/& Human Artists: AI as a Creative Collaborator in Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artificial-intelligence-versus-human-artists-ai-as-a-creative-collaborator-in-art/) - Photo: Regen 1.0.2 by Colleen Hoffenbacker By Atreya Mathur “Recently, I've integrated artificial intelligence into my digital process to harmonize the cutting-edge technology with timeless human values, creating a blend that's uniquely mindful and full of wonder.” ~ Colleen Hoffenbacker, Artist In the realm of contemporary art, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a groundbreaking
- [Can a Duct-taped Banana be a Copyrightable Work of Art?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/can-a-duct-taped-banana-be-a-copyrightable-work-of-art/) - By Alanna Pitre Emerging into public consciousness in the late 1960s, conceptual art was developed by artists as a means of anti-institutional expression.[1] Rather than adhering to the traditional art-making process, where craftsmanship, aesthetics, and high-end materials come together to create a tangible– often commercialized– product like a sculpture or a painting, conceptual artists give
- [Prison Sentence for Leader of Giacometti Forgery Ring](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/prison-sentence-for-leader-of-giacometti-forgery-ring/) - Last year, a bronze made by Alberto Giacometti broke the world record price for sale at auction. It sold for $104.3 million. If that is the price of buying a Giacometti, then what is the cost of forging one? A German art dealer has just been given a prison sentence of seven years for commercial
- [Art Investment Funds](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-investment-funds/) - When we think of the art market, we are likely to think of primary sales from artists to dealers, or secondary sales from galleries and auction houses to collectors. But we should not overlook the practice of investing in art. According to Noah Horowitz, "There is no better metric of [the health of the art
- [How do you solve the problem like Orphan Works?](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/how-do-you-solve-the-problem-like-orphan-works/) - [NOTE: THIS EVENT OCCURRED IN 2012] On December 3, 2012, the ABA Committee on Copyright Policy will host a webinar on the topic of orphan works, entitled “The Orphan Works Problem: Recent Developments, Proposed Legislation, and Alternative Solutions.” The program will examine the history of the problem surrounding works whose copyright owners are unknown, including
- [Performance Art on Trial](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/performance-art-on-trial/) - In 1964, Joseph Beuys staged “Das Schweigen von Marcel Duchamp wird überbewertete” (The Silence of Marcel Duchamp is Overrated) in a live television broadcast. The only record that exists is a number of photographs taken by Manfred Tischer. In a recent ruling by a German court in Düsseldorf, the Stiftung Museum Schloss Moyland has been
- [Van Gogh Painting Stolen in Cairo](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/van-gogh-painting-stolen-in-cairo/) - Egypt's Minister of Culture reported that a Van Gogh painting estimated worth $50 million was stolen from a Cairo museum on Saturday. Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/arts/design/23arts-VANGOGHPAINT_BRF.html?_r=1
- [Paint by Con -- Co-Owner of Missing Corot Painting Charged with Fraud](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/paint-by-con-co-owner-of-missing-corot-painting-charged-with-fraud/) - Thomas Doyle was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud in the dealings over a century-and-a-half-old painting by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot entitled "Portrait of a Girl." . . . A criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Manhattan said Doyle convinced the investor to pay him the $880,000 for the circa
- [The Case Against a Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/the-case-against-a-museum/) - "The Art of the Steal", Dir. Don Argott, 2009 On Wednesday night the Art Law Society took a trip to see "The Art of the Steal" at the Independent Film Center. "The Art of the Steal" is a compelling documentary that chronicles the half-century long battle over the rights to the Barnes art collection. The
- [Canada dumping ground for stolen art](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/canada-dumping-ground-for-stolen-art/) - "Art thieves and black market dealers in cultural heritage material have a better chance of unloading their valuable booty — and avoiding prosecution — in Canada than almost anywhere else, say two prominent stolen art experts. "It's impossible to know just how much art is stolen and resold in Canada because there's virtually no one
- [Digital Archives: Navigating the Legal Shoals Symposium](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/digital-archives-navigating-the-legal-shoals-symposium/) - Digital Archives: Navigating the Legal Shoals Columbia Law School Friday, April 16, 2010 Presented in conjunction with the Rockefeller Archive Center FREE for law students if you register by APRIL 2! (http://www.law.columbia.edu/kernochan/symposia/digital-archives) On Friday, April 16, 2010, Columbia Law School’s Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts will host a day-long symposium on the
- [Review of "Reality Hunger" by David Shields in NYT](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/review-of-reality-hunger-by-david-shields-in-nyt/) - Copyright of ideas and text -- taking on the system. "In his deliberately provocative — and deeply nihilistic — new book, “Reality Hunger,” the onetime novelist David Shields asserts that fiction “has never seemed less central to the culture’s sense of itself.” He says he’s “bored by out-and-out fabrication, by myself and others; bored by
- [UNESCO chief concerned by auction of ancient artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/unesco-chief-concerned-by-auction-of-ancient-artifacts/) - "Director general of UNESCO Irina Bokova has expressed concern about negotiations to sell a large number of artifacts salvaged from the wreck of a 10th century ship lying off the coast of Java, saying Indonesia may lose a valuable heritage." Read more: https://web.archive.org/web/20100509122806/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/06/unesco-chief-concerned-auction-ancient-artifacts.html
- [Picasso Sale Sets a New Record](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/picasso-sale-sets-a-new-record/) - "A painting that Picasso created in a single day in March 1932, “Nu au Plateau de Sculpteur (Nude, Green Leaves and Bust),” sold for $106.5 million, a world record auction price for a work of art, at Christie’s Tuesday night. The painting, more than 5 feet by 4 feet, shows Picasso’s mistress Marie-Thérèse Walter, both
- [Google book scanning: Cultural theft or freedom of information?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/google-book-scanning-cultural-theft-or-freedom-of-information/) - I don't know about you, but I like Google Books. Recent article on the topic, reads in part: London, England (CNN) -- A proposed partnership between the French government and Google is stoking fears in France that the country's literary treasures will fall under commercial control of a U.S. technology company. Frederic Mitterand, the French
- [Guggenheim Settles With Malevich Heirs](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/guggenheim-settles-with-malevich-heirs/) - An untitled painting by Kazimir Malevich. The foundation that runs the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum said on Monday that it had reached an agreement with the heirs of the artist Kazimir Malevich over the ownership of an untitled work by him that the museum plans to include in an exhibition this month. In a joint
- [Insider Job -- Theft in Hôtel Drouot, the central Paris auction venue](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/insider-job-theft-in-hotel-drouot-the-central-paris-auction-venue/) - Two high-profile art thefts in France over the Christmas holidays brought the illegal trafficking of cultural treasures to the world’s attention. In the first, the Impressionist painter Edgar Degas’s The Choir Singers was stolen from The Cantini Museum in Marseilles. The delicate pastel, with an estimated value of €800,000, had simply been unscrewed from the
- [LOST & FOUND: ORPHANED WORKS -- New York City Bar](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lost-found-orphaned-works-new-york-city-bar/) - Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 6:00 - 8:00 pm Meeting Hall, New York City Bar Association 42 West 44th Street How should the law treat “orphan works”? Please join us as we discuss proposals that would enable copyrighted works to be used when their owners cannot be located to obtain necessary permissions. What should be the
- [LEGAL CONCERNS FOR DESIGNERS, ILLUSTRATORS, CARTOONISTS, AND ARTISTS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/legal-concerns-for-designers-illustrators-cartoonists-and-artists-what-you-need-to-know/) - This panel discussion is geared towards artists, however, the panel speakers are mostly art lawyers. One of the panelists, Carol Steinberg, is a Cardozo alumni. This event is great for anyone interested in gaining more insight into the practical applications of the law to artists. Legal Concerns for Designers, Illustrators, Cartoonists, and Artists – What
- [NAZI ART LITIGATION ALERT: SEIZED SCHIELE PAINTING CASE CLEARED FOR...](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/nazi-art-litigation-alert-seized-schiele-painting-case-cleared-for/) - Nazi Art Litigation Alert: Seized Schiele Painting Case Cleared for By David Bario Am Law Litigation Daily October 08, 2009 One Schiele painting in New York has been off limits to art lovers ever since it was seized by Manhattan's district attorney in 1997 while on loan from Vienna. The 1912 painting "Portrait of Wally"
- [LEGAL ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY ART: COPYRIGHT](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/legal-issues-in-contemporary-art-copyright/) - "Very creative and engaging presentation of important issues in copyright." "Very well taught class with extremely useful information." "Thank you - this was fun and Sergio is fantastic." "Thank you Sergio. This was a great introduction to VLA. You made the subject very interesting even after a very long day." When: Thursday, November 12th, 2009
- [On Andrei Rublev: as Russian Military and Russian Cultural Treasures swap places in Ukraine](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/on-andrei-rublev-as-russian-military-and-russian-cultural-treasures-swap-places-in-ukraine/) - Putin's decision to seek authorization to dispatch and actual deployment of Russian military onto the territory of Ukraine, a sovereign nation, can be described as ... unorthodox. Chronology is well-documented: three months of Maidan occupation in Kiev, escalations of hostilities capped by shooting and deaths of douzens of people in Kiev on February 20th, followed
- [LOST & FOUND: A PRACTICAL LOOK AT ORPHAN WORKS](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lost-found-a-practical-look-at-orphan-works/) - New York City Bar Association Tuesday, October 20, 2009 How should the law treat “orphan works”? The speakers discussed proposals that would enable copyrighted works to be used when their owners cannot be located to obtain necessary permissions. What should be the obligations of potential users with respect to searching for copyright owners? How should
- [Season to be giving (with a little help from your transactional attorney)](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/season-to-be-giving-with-a-little-help-from-your-transactional-attorney/) - ArtDaily reported that the Ulla and Heiner Pietzsch, officially signed a donation agreement with the state of Berlin to gift their their internationally renowned collection to the city. The Pietzsch Collection contains Surrealist works from Paris and Abstract Expressionist works by the New York School, including works by Max Ernst, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Salvador
- [Introducing: ART IN BRIEF (aka our podcast)!](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/introducing-art-in-brief-aka-our-podcast/) - By Center for Art Law Editorial Team Warfare of Art and Law (with artist and attorney Stephanie Drawdy), The Art Law Podcast (with Steve Schindler and Katie Wilson-Milne, the art law power-couple from SCH), The ALA Podcast (from the fabulous Art Lawyers Association in the UK) -- there is a lot of terrific content out
- [Competition Law: The Last Pioneer for Eradicating Institutional Dominance?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/competition-law-the-last-pioneer-for-eradicating-institutional-dominance/) - By Renée Ramona Robinson If the adage “apart from drugs, art is the biggest unregulated market in the world” is true, then what better way to fix it than with the regulatory force of competition law?[1] The art market has been critiqued as one of the most unregulated, obscure areas of the global economic market—rife
- [Spotlight: Tondo, Inc.](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-tondo-inc/) - Association for Research into Crime against Art [ARCA] brings to our attention a new company, Tondo Inc., that specializes in complex painting analysis for attributions and forgery research. Tondo has provided services to cultural institutions and art collectors since it was founded in 1998. Its Complex Painting Analysis Method (CPAM) combines five techniques to help
- [As I sit studying: Art is getting its own “stock exchange”](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/as-i-sit-studying-art-is-getting-its-own-stock-exchange/) - For those who have been in seclusion and oblivious, the art market rebounded and many new outlets have been springing about to help art dealers and collectors fund their expensive habits. That's old news, what's new is that there is now a stock exchange for art. A&F Markets will allow investors to buy and
- [Term of Art: Authenticity](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/term-of-art-authenticity/) - By Irina Tarsis. This story was originally published in The Cardozo Jurist: "Double Denied” is not a story of a prospective student failing to get admission to a prestigious law school: it is an art market nickname describing a cautionary tale about the legacy of Andy Warhol, the most controversial, influential, and prolific artist of
- [Censorship in Museums](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/censorship-in-museums/) - Museum curators devote much time to piecing together meaningful exhibits. They are guided not only by their own artistic tastes and principles but also by those of art critics, artists, the consuming public, and sponsors. Federally funded institutions, like the National Portrait Gallery, are also guided, and perhaps largely controlled, by politics. The NPG was
- [Better laws to halt looting of ancient Indian artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/better-laws-to-halt-looting-of-ancient-indian-artifacts/) - Two hours after wearing a surveillance wire in a pot-hunting investigation, I placed a loaded .38 Colt revolver in my pickup. Just in case. I told my wife to lock the doors and windows, shut the blinds, and keep our small sons inside. The young pothunter I had just helped the feds bust knew I
- [CHANEL - the event and the afterthoughts.](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/chanel-the-event-and-the-afterthoughts/) - By Ilona Logvinova This past week the Art Law Society hosted an exciting lunch time speaker event that I thought would be worthy of a posting - Rachel Waranch, Associate Counsel at CHANEL, Inc. and a fellow Cardozo Alumnus, presented at Cardozo and gave a presentation about her career and related experiences. It was a
- [Current Reincarnation of Sublime Legally Prevented from Using the Band Name](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/current-reincarnation-of-sublime-legally-prevented-from-using-the-band-name/) - The Estate of Bradley Nowell, the late frontman and driving force behind the Southern California group, Sublime, filed suit against the remaining two band members, Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, to prevent them from using the band name while touring, selling new merchandise, or naming new websites. Initial News of Lawsuit: https://web.archive.org/web/20220129201311/https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/2009/10/23/brad-nowells-estate-threatens-legal-action-against-sublime-reunion/ [Rolling Stone has archived
- [Copyright Study](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/copyright-study/) - As some of you already know, the nonprofit Creative Commons has released data from a research study exploring the U.S. online population's understanding of "noncommercial use" in the context of copyrighted materials. The findings may be of interest. http://creativecommons.org/weblog/entry/17127
- [Photographers of the World Unit (Under US Copyright Law)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/photographers-of-the-world-unit-under-us-copyright-law/) - On Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, jury awarded damages for willful infringement of copyright to Daniel Morel. The case was almost four years pending. Leonard v. Stemtech: Weeks earlier, another jury ended litigation that lasted about five years ... in U.S. District Court in Delaware, last month photographer Andrew Paul Leonard received a jury award of
- [Trove of Cultural Property Laws: Where Would You Rather Find a Treasure Trove?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/trove-of-cultural-property-laws-where-would-you-rather-find-a-treasure-trove/) - Before you get out your spade, take stock of where you will be digging. Andreas K. from Wiener Neustadt located south of Vienna, was digging in his back yard when he discovered hundreds of pieces of centuries-old jewelry and other precious objects that Austrian authorities described simply "as a fairy-tale find." This find consists of
- [Larry Kaye of Herrick's Art Law Group to Receive Turkish American Business Forum Award](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/larry-kaye-of-herricks-art-law-group-to-receive-turkish-american-business-forum-award/) - On May 19, 2011, Larry Kaye will receive the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Turkish American Business Forum in recognition of his service on behalf of Turkey, including the recovery of the Lydian Hoard antiquities from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For more information about Herrick's Art Law Group and the Award, visit www.herrick.com.
- [Those on the Market for a Graduation Gift Nota Bene -- Leopold Museum is to sell a Schiele](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/those-on-the-market-for-a-graduation-gift-nota-bene-leopold-museum-is-to-sell-a-schiele/) - On May 31, 2011, Cardozo will graduate its 33rd class of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed lawyers-in-the-making. One of these soon-to-be-grads once wrote an admission essay declaring that after getting a masters in art history she would go on to study law in order to litigate cases such as the seminal case dealing with ownership of Egon
- [Digital Art as Cultural Heritage?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/digital-art-as-cultural-heritage/) - There is a multitude of cultural groups around the world, and each group struggles to preserve its unique heritage and cultural creations as history proceeds. Many of these cultures have embraced new technologies, both as functional tools and as artistic media. How should digital creations be preserved, especially as the underlying technologies become obsolete? Digital
- [Art Terrorized in DC, Encore](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-terrorized-in-dc-encore/) - Who: Susan Burns -- Repeat Offender When: August 2011 What: Arrested slamming Henri Matisse's painting against a wall at Washington's National Gallery of Art At first, Burns, 53-year old of Alexandria, VA was arrested in April for attacking a Paul Gauguin painting "Two Tahitian Women" and as a condition of her release in the spring,
- [Lawless Cultural Property Policy? US: where Con Law meets Cultural Law](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lawless-cultural-property-policy-us-where-con-law-meets-cultural-law/) - Stephen Urice, Director of the Project for Cultural Heritage Law & Policy, and Andrew Adler, both professors at University of Miami School of Law, co-authored a working paper titled "Resolving the Disjunction between Cultural Property Policy and Law: A Call for Reform." To say that our cultural property policy is lawless is probably an overstatement,
- [Feeling Generous: Who Will Return Goudstikker Paintings?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/feeling-generous-who-will-return-goudstikker-paintings/) - On March 28, 2011, The J. Paul Getty Museum announced that it would deaccession Landscape with Cotttage and Figures, an old master painting by Peter Molijn in order to return it to the heirs of Jacques Goudstikker, a Jewish art dealer who fled Holland in 1940. Leaving his collection behind, Goudstikker took a little black
- [Another Art Dealer Under Review: "The Gagosian Effect"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/another-art-dealer-under-review-the-gagosian-effect/) - This blog has focused many of its posts on the legal issues surrounding the practices of art dealers. Dealers have been accused of exploiting their relationships with collectors (Gerald Peters), tax evasion (the Wildensteins), taking unlawful commissions (Simon C. Dickinson Ltd), mail fraud (Rocco DeSimone), and more. Last week, this blog reported that dealer Larry
- [“Who Gave the Order?”: Art Censorship and Restorative Justice in Colombia](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/who-gave-the-order-art-censorship-and-restorative-justice-in-colombia/) - By Maria Chica Jimenez Military officers stand among neon red skulls and digits: the number of civilian assassinations that occurred under their command. Quien Dio La Orden?, Spanish for “Who Gave the Order,” interrogates and points to the guilt of the men in the mural. Five thousand seven hundred sixty-three was the number on the
- [James Cuno at the Getty](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/james-cuno-at-the-getty/) - Museums are treasure chests full of artifacts with questionable histories. Who is the rightful owner of these precious objects - the museums that have acted as their custodians, or the cultures that produced them? Museums walk a delicate line between sharing cultures and exploiting them. The Getty Museum is in a particularly precarious position. In
- [2011 Legal Issues in Museums Conference](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/2011-legal-issues-in-museums-conference/) - The annual conference on legal problems in museum administration took place on March 22-24, 2011. It was organized by the American Law Institute-American Bar Association and sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and the American Association of Museums. The Art Newspaper provides a good overview of several legal issues addressed at the conference. First, problem gifts
- [Art and Commerce, United in Hong Kong](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/art-and-commerce-united-in-hong-kong/) - Hong Kong is known as a great commercial center, but could it become a great cultural center? "Hong Kong has no facilities that come close to the iconic theater districts, opera houses or museums of New York, London, Paris or Tokyo." To remedy this, the government in Hong Kong has set aside 21.6 billion Hong
- [Get Back: Arbitration Award Threatens Art Loans](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/get-back-arbitration-award-threatens-art-loans/) - What does a blood plasma business have to do with art law? Well, after a 2008 Czech arbitration court ruling on the verge of enforcement against the Czech Republic for $500 million in compensation for thwarting trading perspectives of Diag Human, a firm dealing in blood plasma, the Czech Republic is rushing to recall its
- [Congress on Something -- Why not Resale Rights?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/congress-on-something-why-not-resale-rights/) - le droit de suite (the resale right) - VA from Pierre-Emmanuel Lyet on Vimeo. US Congress' approval rating is low and to get some brownie points why not pass a federal law for artists' resale rights?* Recently, the Artists’ Rights Society (ARS), a copyright and licensing collecting agency in the US, has renewed efforts to
- [Cultural Diplomacy: Engaging a Changing World](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cultural-diplomacy-engaging-a-changing-world/) - On March 7, 2011 at the TimesCenter, Alliance for the Arts presented an Arts Forum on "Cultural Diplomacy: Engaging A Changing World." What is cultural diplomacy? Vishakha N. Desai, speaker and President of the Asia Society, explained the differences and connections between cultural exchange, engagement and diplomacy. Despite their important differences, these are not mutually
- [How could one be "causing the theft of" a painting?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/how-could-one-be-causing-the-theft-of-a-painting/) - On April 21, 2011, an Egyptian court sentenced five state officials, including Mohsen Shaalan, former head of the state's fine arts department, to serve time in jail in relation to the theft of Van Gogh's "Vase with Viscaria." The painting, estimated at $55 million, was stolen in August 2010 from Mahmoud Khalil museum in Cairo. According
- [Art Dealer Charged with Selling Fakes](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-dealer-charged-with-selling-fakes/) - With all these blog posts regarding corrupt art dealers, the art world is looking somewhat sordid this week... Here's the latest from Chicago. Alan Kass, president of Kass-Meridian Gallery dba Allegro Art, in downtown Chicago, has just been charged with 13 counts of mail and wire fraud by a grand jury. For nearly 2 decades,
- [Mike Tyson's Face as Art?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/mike-tysons-face-as-art/) - It might be unusual to feature "Hangover II" and Mike Tyson on these pages, but it seems impossible to omit the copyright controversy that blew up around the film and the figure. In 2003, S. Victor Whitmill designed and tattooed Mike Tyson's face. The creators of "Hangover II" thought it would be funny if one
- [Fashion: Intellectual Property, Good Business, and Human Rights](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fashion-intellectual-property-good-business-and-human-rights/) - The month of May saw a number of interesting intersections between fashion and law. Nathalie Atkinson at the National Post wrote an impassioned argument in favor of 'designer duplication.' She had previously received a note from Chanel's legal department: "A note of information and entreaty to fashion editors, advertisers, copywriters and other well-intentioned mis-users of
- [Solomonic Decision In Labor Disputes at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Site](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/solomonic-decision-in-labor-disputes-at-the-guggenheim-abu-dhabi-site/) - "If we build, it they will come," is a motto of the Abu Dhabi and Dubai developers. One of the ambitious projects in the United Arab Emirates (the UAE)is to bring art treasures to the region by collaborating with the small museums like the Louvre, Getty, and the Guggenheim in hopes of attracting more travelers
- [Let's Make Law! Proposed Amendment to the NY Arts and Cultural Affairs Law to Protect Consignments](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/lets-make-law-proposed-amendment-to-the-ny-arts-and-cultural-affairs-law-to-protect-consignments/) - On April 15, 2011, Assembly Member Bing and other members of the New York Senate introduced an Act to amend the NY Arts and Cultural Affairs Law in an effort to protect the artists and their heirs when consigning art to galleries. The amendment was proposed by the Art Law Committee of the New York
- [A Pissarro, Stolen and Forfeited](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-pissarro-stolen-and-forfeited/) - Here is a tale of an art theft gone wrong. Unfortunately, things have actually gone quite well for the thief. In 1981, “Le Marché”, a work by Camille Pissarro, disappeared from the Museé Faure in Aix-les-Bains. Four years later, Sharyl Davis bought the work from J. Adelman Antiques and Art Gallery, a Texas gallery, which
- [SAFEConnect: The Cultural Heritage Network](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/safeconnect-the-cultural-heritage-network/) - Saving Antiquities for Everyone (SAFE) has created an online cultural heritage network, SAFEConnect, "that enables individuals and organizations around the world to work together to save cultural heritage." The new portal is designed as a "meeting place" for individuals and organizations working to save cultural heritage. One of the events listed on SAFEConnect now is
- [Looting of Cultural Heritage Sites Remains a Problem in Latin America](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/looting-of-cultural-heritage-sites-remains-a-problem-in-latin-america/) - How far has Western civilization come since the colonization of the Americas? Like the archeologists and conquistadors that came before them, gangs of looters known as huaqueros are removing cultural artifacts from historic sites in Peru and other Latin American countries. In Peru, this is happening at some lesser-known sites. Besides the Incas, Peru
- [When Fine Art and Cartoons Mix: Spongebob Lawsuit](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/when-fine-art-and-cartoons-mix-spongebob-lawsuit/) - Spongebob Squarepants appears to be a fairly docile creation, one that is more commonly found on toddler's paraphernalia than it is on the walls of galleries. However, Spongebob's creator has recently been accused of committing a “a malicious and brutal assault and robbery" against a gallerist. The characters on "Spongebob Squarepants" were designed by cartoonist
- [VLA fils an amicus brief in support of Kelley](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/vla-fils-an-amicus-brief-in-support-of-kelley/) - Six months ago, on February 15, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held that artist Chapman Kelley's sculpture, Wildflower Works, was "neither 'authored' nor 'fixed' in the senses required for copyright." Kelley v. Chi. Park Dist., 635 F.3d 290, 304 (7th Cir. 2011). It reasoned that "...gardens are planted and
- [Cariou v Prince: a continuing controversy](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cariou-v-prince-a-continuing-controversy/) - In March, this blog reported on the 2nd circuit's ruling on Patrick Cariou's lawsuit against appropriation artist Richard Prince. Batts granted summary judgment in favor of Cariou on the issue of copyright infringement. The court ordered Prince to destroy millions of dollars worth of his own artwork. Prince appealed. On September 15th, The United States
- [No One is Innocent but the Cow, or The Tale of a Callous Son](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/no-one-is-innocent-but-the-cow-or-the-tale-of-a-callous-son/) - Meet Cowless Met In 2009, Monaco-based British collector Robert Wylde purchased Mark Tansey's "The Innocent Eye Test" for $2.5 million. Little did he know that this transaction would test more than his financial soundness and artistic taste. The painting turned out to be a promised gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art ("the Met") from
- ['Chasing Aphrodite' Co-Authors Felch and Frammolino to Receive 2011 SAFE Beacon Award](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/chasing-aphrodite-co-authors-felch-and-frammolino-to-receive-2011-safe-beacon-award/) - New York, NY (October 12, 2011) – SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone, a New York City-based non-profit, will host a dinner honoring the recipients of the 2011 SAFE Beacon Award Jason Felch and Ralph Frammolino, co-authors of Chasing Aphrodite: The Hunt for Looted Antiquities at the World’s Richest Museum (Houghton Mifflin, 2011) in recognition of their
- [ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS LAW SEMINAR -- NYS Bar -- Entertainment, Arts & Sports Section](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/entertainment-business-law-seminar-nys-bar-entertainment-arts-sports-section/) - Friday, October 23, 2009 New York University -- All Day Event "The New Deal: Music and Film in a Brand New Environment" The Entertainment Arts & Sports Law (EASL) Section of The New York State Bar Association, in association with CMJ Network, Holland & Knight LLP and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, will once again
- [AS SEEN THROUGH THESE EYES, opens at Cinema Village on October 2, 2009](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/as-seen-through-these-eyes-opens-at-cinema-village-on-october-2-2009/) - In AS SEEN THROUGH THESE EYES (opens at Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th St, NYC, NY) narated by Maya Angelou, reveals the story of a brave group of people who fought Hitler with the only weapons they had: charcoal, pencil stubs, shreds of paper and memories etched in their minds. These artists took their fate
- [Early Review of the Art of the Steal](https://itsartlaw.org/film-review/early-review-of-the-art-of-the-steal/) - The Art of the Steal is a new documentary on the Barnes foundation and its planned move from Merion. Scott Tobias has a review for the AV Club: As a forward-thinking art collector in the ‘20s, Dr. Albert Barnes snapped up an extraordinary wealth of post-impressionist and modernist paintings from the likes of Matisse, Picasso,
- [Clicking "Refresh": A New Look at Fair Use in the Digital Age](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/clicking-refresh-a-new-look-at-fair-use-in-the-digital-age/) - Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 6:30 PM House of the Association, 42 West 44th Street Registration: The program free. Registration is required. This panel discussion will address the ways in which copyright lawĄŚs fair use doctrine has evolved (or may be tested) in an era in which the rise of news aggregation, social networking, and a
- [The Spiral Jetty Lease](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-spiral-jetty-lease/) - Disputes often arise as to title of artwork, but title to the land on which the artwork sits rarely comes into play. In 1970, Robert Smithson created the "Spiral Jetty", which extends 460 meters into the Great Salt Lake of Utah. The Utah Department of Natural Resources administers a lease for this work, which sits
- [MoMA Down Under](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/moma-down-under/) - The Museum of Modern Art in New York [MoMA] and the Art Gallery of Western Australia [AGWA] have recently entered into a unique agreement. AGWA will be showcasing items from MoMA's collection in a series of six exhibitions scheduled over three years, as if it were an international outpost. The two museums have entered into
- [Supreme Court Nonplussed by Claimant Endeavor to Recover Art in Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/supreme-court-nonplussed-by-claimant-endeavor-to-recover-art-in-von-saher-v-norton-simon-museum-of-art/) - Yesterday, on June 27, 2011, the United States Supreme Court denied Marei von Saher's, heir of the famous art dealer, Jacques Goudstikker (1897-1940), petition to review the U.S. Court of Appeals of the 9th Circuit decision invalidating California statute extending time period for Holocaust victims to bring claims for return of Nazi-era looted art. Von
- [Walters Art Museum: Now Available Online](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/walters-art-museum-now-available-online/) - Although it does not have a modern art collection, the Walters Art Museum is a very modern museum. In 2006, it adopted a free admission policy and since then has not charged visitors to view its permanent collection. Now, the museum has decided to make nearly all of its collection, almost 30,000 works, available online.
- [New Copyright Bill in Canada](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/new-copyright-bill-in-canada/) - As copyright is extended in Europe and restored in the U.S., it is set to be modernized in Canada. Recognizing that digital technologies have outdated a lot of language and legal provisions in the Canadian Copyright Act, the current government plans to introduce the Copyright Modernization Act before Christmas, according to the CBC. The Heritage
- [The Friends of the Barnes: A Last-Ditch Effort Denied](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/the-friends-of-the-barnes-a-last-ditch-effort-denied/) - As this blog reported in September, the Friends of the Barnes made a last-ditch effort to stop the Barnes Collection from moving to a new museum, which is set to open on May 19, 2012. On Thursday October 6, Judge Stanley Ott ruled, again, that they have no legal standing to challenge the move. Ott
- [Stolen Art Databases, Bridging Gaps, and Balancing the Need for Private Policing](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/stolen-art-databases-bridging-gaps-and-balancing-the-need-for-private-policing/) - By Eleanor Gartstein The older a given artwork or artifact is, the more likely it has a long and complicated ownership history. Records of this ownership history become increasingly difficult to track with time, often suffering from inescapable gaps due to lost documents, fading memories, and the rise and fall of businesses such as galleries
- [Revisiting the 2017 Nicosia Convention](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/revisiting-the-2017-nicosia-convention/) - By Eleanor Gartstein A number of key frameworks are often cited as foundational to the field of international cultural heritage law. The 1954 Hague Convention focuses on cultural property protection during times of armed conflict, the 1970 UNESCO Convention tackles the issue via import-export controls, and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention answers to private claimants and
- [Drawing Boundaries in the Art Market, since when?](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/drawing-boundaries-in-the-art-market-since-when/) - Not so long ago, somebody bright and curious could be an art collector, an art dealer and an art curator all at once. Take the late Stuart Cary Welch for example. However, the practices as well as the mores in the art field have changed over the last few decades and now one could
- [Klimt Stolen by Gestapo Returned to Victims' Heir](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/klimt-stolen-by-gestapo-returned-to-victims-heir/) - Salzburg's Museum of Modern Art is returning a famous Klimt painting stolen by the Gestapo in 1941. According to the provincial government, Litzlberg on the Attersee is one of Klimts's best and most valuable works. While the Austrian government finds it hard part with such masterpieces, having given up other Klimt works as recently as
- [Weisberg Appointed to the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/weisberg-appointed-to-the-commission-for-the-preservation-of-americas-heritage-abroad/) - Richard H. Weisberg, Walter Floersheimer Professor of Constitutional Law at Cardozo School of Law was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. In this position, Professor Weisberg accesses the state of culturally important sites and the means to protect and preserve such historic buildings, collections
- [The New Barnes to Open on May 19, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/the-new-barnes-to-open-on-may-19-2012/) - The Barnes Foundation is expecting to open its new doors in the new museum on May 19, 2011 regardless of the fact that there is yet another lawsuit by the Friends of the Barnes Foundation pending. As always, the Friends are demanding that the masterpieces should not be moved from their original suburban home to
- [Counterfeit Logos and Fine Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/counterfeit-logos-and-fine-art/) - The law continues to grapple with counterfeit fashion. What Intellectual Property rights or other legal rights can fashion houses wield against those who appropriate their logos and designs? Last week, major fashion house Chanel filed a lawsuit for cyberpiracy and trademark infringement against 399 internet retailers that were selling counterfeit items under its name. However,
- [Libya's antiquities department recovers and displays looted Roman antiquities](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/libyas-antiquities-department-recovers-and-displays-looted-roman-antiquities/) - Arab Spring has not been too gentle to cultural heritage. Not surprising, some artifacts have been stolen in the aftermath of Libyan civil war. It has been reported by the new Libyan leaders that "Moammar Gadhafi's forces tried to flee Tripoli with a sack of ancient Roman artifacts in hopes of selling them abroad to
- [Homeland Security IDs Greek Cultural Property for Import Restrictions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/homeland-security-ids-greek-cultural-property-for-import-restrictions/) - On December 1, 2011, Federal Register published the final rule on import restrictions imposed on Certain Archaeological and Ethnological Materials from Greece. The report was approved by the commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Treasury. The
- [Clooney buys the rights to Edsel's "The Monuments Men"](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/clooney-buys-the-rights-to-edsels-the-monuments-men/) - George Clooney's new directorial project is based on Robert M Edsel's The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. It is an account of government efforts to retrieve artworks stolen by the Nazis during World War II. The Monuments Men were "a group of 345 or so men and
- [Fading Elephant in the Room: Extinguishing the Market for “White Gold”](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/fading-elephant-in-the-room-extinguishing-the-market-for-white-gold/) - By Lukiana Pilyugin. The earth’s largest land mammals are irreplaceable, and so are their ivory tusks. The demand for ivory in international markets serves as the driving force behind poaching in African nations. Up to 33,000 elephants are killed for their tusks every year and certain subspecies are at the brink of extinction.[1] In the
- [A Revised NAGPRA: Evaluating Progress Towards Repatriating Native American Ancestral Remains and Belongings in the Wake of Revised Federal Regulations](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/a-revised-nagpra-evaluating-progress-towards-repatriating-native-american-ancestral-remains-and-belongings-in-the-wake-of-revised-federal-regulations/) - By Emily Yan One year ago, on January 12, 2024, the Department of the Interior (DOI) implemented historic updates to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).[1] These updates aim to close loopholes in the original regulation that allowed for a glacial rate of repatriation. The act was originally passed in 1990 for
- [Case Review: Getty v. Italy (2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-getty-v-italy-2024/) - By Livia Solaro While cultural heritage disputes have often proved heralds of international tensions, very few cases have caused quite the stir as the one revolving around Victorious Youth, a rare example of a life-size bronze statue from the classical Greek period. After sinking in the Adriatic Sea during its transportation, the statue remained on
- [Religious Symbols in Art as Hate Speech](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/religious-symbols-in-art-as-hate-speech/) - With The Andy Warhol Foundation's Dec. 2010 letter to G. Wayne Clough, the head of the Smithsonian, threatening to reject future grant requests unless the Smithsonian returns "A Fire in My Belly" to the current "Hide/Seek" exhibition, it seems that everyone is weighing in on the Worjnarowicz/Smithsonian controversy--a controversy which has quickly resurrected the culture
- [Who will Sketch the Plaintiff? Courtroom Sketch Artist's Resale Rights Violated](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/who-will-sketch-the-plaintiff-courtroom-sketch-artists-resale-rights-violated/) - H. Jay Spiegel of H. Jay Spiegel & Associates, P.C. of Mt. Vernon, VA is representing Patricia ("Pat") Lopez, a long-time freelance courtroom sketch artist in a suit against the Associated Press (AP) and stock photo agency Getty Images for reselling her work in violation of her copyright. According to Spiegel, Lopez earns $300 to
- [Are Artists Avoiding Taxes Everywhere?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/are-artists-avoiding-taxes-everywhere/) - Following a 9-year tax investigation, this August, the Norwegian artist, Odd Nerdrum, was sentenced to two years in prison without bail because he was found him guilty for tax evasion. According to the ArtDaily, critics claim that Nerdrum’s sentence was "surprisingly more severe than the punishment recently imposed in a similar case in China concerning
- [Body Painting in NY](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/body-painting-in-ny/) - Body painter Andy Golub has been attracting crowds in Times Square by using topless women as canvases. In New York, women are allowed to be topless in public. However, on July 30, Golub was arrested for public lewdness charges when two of his models were completely naked on the street. According to New York Penal
- [Framing Fiduciary Duty in Marchig v. Christie's](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/framing-fiduciary-duty-in-marchig-v-christies/) - Oral arguments that took place on June 24, 2011 at 500 Pearl Street, a.k.a. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals could have been dealing with two unconnected cases. Richard Altman, attorney for Mrs. Jeanne Marchig, argued that in certain circumstances auction houses owe fiduciary duty to their regular clients lasting so long as the relationship between
- [Patty Gerstenblith Presidential Appointee to Chair CPAC](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/patty-gerstenblith-presidential-appointee-to-chair-cpac/) - On June 24, 2011, Office of The Press Secretary issued an announcement that Patty Gerstenblith, Distinguished Research Professor and Director of the Center for Art, Museum and Cultural Heritage Law at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago is the newly appointed Chairman of the as a member of the United States Cultural Property Advisory
- [Copyright Fees: another riot in Canada?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/copyright-fees-another-riot-in-canada/) - What if museums had to keep paying fees to display art that they have acquired and art that they have on loan? Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des Artistes Canadiens (CARFAC) and the Regroupement des Artistes en Arts Visuels du Québec (RAAV), are currently seeking to establish copyright fees for any works by Canadian artists displayed
- [Google Goggles & Getty](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/google-goggles-getty/) - The team behind Google Goggles has partnered with the Getty Museum to provide information on paintings from the permanent collection, and the project has the potential to change the museum-going experience and to address the problems of orphan works. Google Goggles has the ability to provide consumers with information about items they photograph using image
- [Who knew the MPAA could do this? An entire town's WiFi shut down for one download.](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/who-knew-the-mpaa-could-do-this-an-entire-towns-wifi-shut-down-for-one-download/) - https://web.archive.org/web/20091114054844/https://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20091109/UPDATES01/91109015 See the article above.
- [Stolen Monet was in Poland](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/stolen-monet-was-in-poland/) - According to the Polish police, they recovered a Monet painting that was stolen from a museum in western Poland a decade ago. Poznan police spokesman Romuald Piecuch said today that officers detained a 41-year-old man in the southern city of Olkusz after the painting, Beach in Pourville , was found in his possession. Mr Piecuch
- [Read it again, Sam: Google, copyright and our future?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/read-it-again-sam-google-copyright-and-our-future/) - Read the article at http://www.tnr.com/article/the-love-culture. " There has been a rage of attention to the recently revised proposal for a settlement by Google of a lawsuit brought against it by the Authors Guild of America and the Association of American Publishers (AAP). In 2004, Google launched the sort of project that only Internet idealists such
- [VARA Applies to Unfinished Works](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/vara-applies-to-unfinished-works/) - Christoph Buchel's claims survive appeal, First Circuit holds VARA applies to unfinished works. https://web.archive.org/web/20111221055359/https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/getopn.pl?OPINION=08-2199P.01A "On cross-motions for summary judgment, the district court assumed that VARA applies to unfinished works of art, but it nonetheless ruled for the Museum in all respects because, even granting VARA's applicability, it found no genuine issues of material fact. Massachusetts
- [Germany rules Hans Sachs’s looted poster collection need not be returned](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/germany-rules-hans-sachss-looted-poster-collection-need-not-be-returned/) - "A German court has ruled that Hans Sachs’s poster collection that was looted by the Nazis can stay on display in a Berlin museum and need not be returned to the Jewish family from which it was stolen. The ruling by the Berlin court of appeals left Sachs family members stunned, and came despite Germany’s
- [UNESCO calls for ban on trade in Haitian artifacts to prevent pillaging of the country’s cultural heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/unesco-calls-for-ban-on-trade-in-haitian-artifacts-to-prevent-pillaging-of-the-countrys-cultural-heritage/) - UNESCO has launched a campaign to protect Haiti’s moveable heritage, notably art collections in the country’s damaged museums, galleries and churches, from pillaging. “This heritage is an invaluable source of identity and pride for the people on the island and will be essential to the success of their national reconstruction.” -- quoting Director-General of UNESCO,
- [Consignment Dispute or Private Property in St. Petersburg](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/consignment-dispute-or-private-property-in-st-petersburg/) - Sergey Bugaev, aka Afrika and the Museum of the Academy of Art are defending themselves in St. Petersburg court against accusations the members of the "New Artists" association, Oleg Zaika, Evgenii Kozlov and Oleg Maslov. The 25 works in dispute were allegedly deemed lost before they appeared in an exhibition, entitled "ASSA: Last Works of
- [Insurance when it Rains (or Poors, or Floods)](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/insurance-when-it-rains-or-poors-or-floods/) - FRELINGHUYSEN MORRIS FOUND. v. AXA ART INS. CORP., 2013 N.Y. Slip Op 33607 (Sup. Ct. 2013). Zurich Am. Ins. Co. v. Felipe Grimberg Fine Art, http://business-bankruptcies.com/cases/surroundart-storage-llc
- [Curious case of Mardirosian from MA](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/curious-case-of-mardirosian-from-ma/) - The criminal bar must be proud. Robert Mardirosian, a retired criminal lawyer who is already serving time for possession and transport of stolen paintings, is ordered to pay over $3 million towards costs paintings' owner incurred, recovering his stolen works. The Saga The Art Loss Register (ALR), London-based world’s largest private database of lost and
- [In US v. Khouli, Leave to Attend a Coin Show Sought and Granted](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/in-us-v-khouli-leave-to-attend-a-coin-show-sought-and-granted/) - Cultural Heritage Lawyer, Rick St. Hilaire is closely following the US v. Khouli case. He noted that the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York held a status conference in the criminal matter of Khouli, an antiquities trafficking matter, on November 17, 2011. A federal grand jury in New York alleged that Khouli's antiquities
- [What To Do When Museums Face Tough Times: The American Folk Art Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/what-to-do-when-museums-face-tough-times-the-american-folk-art-museum/) - Disaster has been averted for the American Folk Art Museum. The fate of the fifty-year-old institution has looked bleak since last spring. Word of its dire financial situation spread in early September, when the Board of Trustees contemplated closing permanently and ceding its collection to the Brooklyn Museum and the Smithsonian. To the relief of
- [More About the Public Domain: Golan v Holder](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/more-about-the-public-domain-golan-v-holder/) - Last week, this blog discussed copyright extension in Europe. A new E.U. Directive grants a longer term of protection to sound recordings, and would, amongst other things, prevent a trove of Beatles tunes from entering the public domain over the next few years. However, the proper scope of copyright protection is a perennial issue for
- [What should we do with "our" antiquities?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/what-should-we-do-with-our-antiquities/) - In the latest issue of the Art Newspaper, Erica Cooke asks on behalf of the museums and collectors, "What should we do with "our" antiquities?" The question is posed on the five-year anniversary of the commencement of Marion True trial in Rome. To remind the readers, True, the former antiquties curator of the Getty museum
- [Getty on Folios from Zeytun Gospel -- To Return or Not To Return?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/getty-on-folios-from-zeytun-gospel-to-return-or-not-to-return/) - In 1994, the J. Paul Getty Museum bought eight pages belonging to an Armenian medieval illuminated manuscript known as the Zeyt'un Gospels. Reported purchase price was just under $1 million. According to Elizabeth Morrison, the Getty's acting senior curator of manuscripts, nobody asked questions about the legitimacy of the folios' ownership until the mid 2000s,
- [Artifact Case Ends in Probation Order, Lesson Learned?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artifact-case-ends-in-probation-order-lesson-learned/) - In 2009, David A. Lacy, a school teacher, was indicted on nine counts of selling, stealing or offering to sell a number of archeological artifacts taken in violation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). He pleaded guilty to selling Native American artifacts and was sentenced to probation in U.S. District Court
- [Forgery and Fraud in the Art Market, As Usual](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/forgery-and-fraud-in-the-art-market-as-usual/) - At the end of October, ArtInfo reported that "One of the world's largest art forgery scandals" had ended in a Cologne courtroom when Wolfgant Beltracchi, leader of a forgery ring, was sentenced to six years in prison. But putting Beltracchi behind bars has not put forgery in the art world to rest. On December 1,
- [Two Hundred Years' Prequel to a Legal Battle](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/two-hundred-years-prequel-to-a-legal-battle/) - According to a BBC report, France has laid claim to a 17th Century painting displayed by a London gallery, the Weiss Gallery, at an art fair in Paris. The painting in dispute is a Nicolas Tournier's The Carrying of the Cross which was purchased in 2010 for 400,000 euros ($550,000) at the Maastricht art fair.
- [The Hunt for the Benghazi Treasure](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/the-hunt-for-the-benghazi-treasure/) - On May 25, 2011 the "Benghazi Treasure" was looted from a bank vault in Libya. The "treasure" had been returned to Libya from Italy in 1961. Although there was documentation of the items returned, no photographs were taken. Now, this is problematic because it will be difficult to prove provenance on items such as individual
- [Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei is back in the news](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-is-back-in-the-news/) - The Chinese artist, who was held at an undisclosed location earlier this year, is back in the news for tax evasion. Previously, Weiwei, an artist critical of the Chinese government, was released after 81 days of detention. In his bail agreement, he was to stay off twitter and to remain in the capital for a
- [Underwater Controversy: An Amendment to the Alabama Cultural Resource Act Sparks Heated Debate](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/underwater-controversy-an-amendment-to-the-alabama-cultural-resource-act-sparks-heated-debate/) - A proposed amendment to the Alabama Cultural Resources Act may give relic-hunters easier access to artifacts lying beneath the surface of the state’s rivers, lakes, and bays. In Montgomery, Alabama Senator Cam Ward has introduced a bill to amend the Act, currently requiring underwater explorers to obtain a permit from the Alabama Historical Commission before
- [The Kunstmuseum Basel and Malevich Heirs Settle](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-kunstmuseum-basel-and-malevich-heirs-settle/) - In a joint press release dated January 20, 2012, the heirs of the famous Russian artist Kazimir Malevich (1878-1935), the Kunstmuseum Basel and the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt announced terms of a settlement agreement resolving the Heirs’ claim to works by Malevich (two gouaches “Landscape with Red Houses” and “The Washing Woman” and
- [Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act from the House to the Senate](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/foreign-cultural-exchange-jurisdictional-immunity-clarification-act-from-the-house-to-the-senate/) - On March 19, 2012,the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act. This legislation, introduced by Judiciary Committee member Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) and co-sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TX), seeks to protect foreign artwork on loan to American museums by
- [A Museum "Tax" in Boston?](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/a-museum-tax-in-boston/) - The Mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, has announced plans for a new Payment in Lieu of Taxes scheme ("PILOT"). Under the scheme, non-profit organizations are tax-exempt but must pay certain amounts toward City services in order to retain certain privileges that come with their non-profit status. Organizations that will be affected by the revised rules
- [Warhol Foundation Urges Protection for Appropriation Art as Experts Debate](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/warhol-foundation-urges-protection-for-appropriation-art-as-experts-debate/) - Earlier this month, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts submitted a brief urging New York federal appeals court to reverse the holding in Cariou v. Prince, 784 F.Supp.2d 337 (2011) (ruling that thirty some paintings by Richard Prince have infringed copyrights in photographs owned by Patrick Cariou). The decision created confusing in art
- [Intl Law Gift: Israeli museum refuses to return WWII spoils](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/intl-law-gift-israeli-museum-refuses-to-return-wwii-spoils/) - Dutch News reported that the Israel Museum in Jerusalem is refusing to return a Tora cover stolen by the Nazis during World War II to the Jewish community in Leiden, Netherlands. According to the report, the 17th century cover for religious scrolls has been at the centre of a dispute over ownership for years and
- [Everybody is a Critic but Scrapping Decisions Better Made by Artists and Collectors](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/everybody-is-a-critic-but-scrapping-decisions-better-made-by-artists-and-collectors/) - Christopher A. Marinello, Executive Director & General Counsel at the Art Loss Register and Jerome Hasler, Student at the Courtauld Institute and Intern at The Art Loss Register have written about the rise in the value of metal prices that accelerates loss of public sculptures. Here is an excerpt: "Every morning on their way to
- [Wine Steward Accused of Art Theft](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wine-steward-accused-of-art-theft/) - "The best things in life are free, but you can keep them for the birds and bees..." One Mark Lugo, a wine steward is suspected of bicoastal art-theft spree. He did take a few bottles of wine that did not belong to him also. In October, Lugo plead guilty to grand theft for the San
- [Keeping Up with the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act: Proposed Cultural Property Import Restrictions from Lebanon and Mongolia and an Extension for El Salvador](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/keeping-up-with-the-convention-on-cultural-property-implementation-act-proposed-cultural-property-import-restrictions-from-lebanon-and-mongolia-and-an-extension-for-el-salvador/) - By Emily G. Finch On November 14, 1970, member states signed the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, an effort to combat international issues related to the illicit trafficking of cultural property.[1] To date, 147 countries have ratified or accepted
- [The Clash: Staying Power of Small Museums and Cultural Institutions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/clash-staying-power-of-small-museums-and-cultural-institutions/) - By Max Beckwith Why are small museums closing or changing their business models across America? How are small museums like, The Rubin in New York, adapting (or not)? Since the pandemic, challenges have arisen for cultural institutions across the United States. Debates over selling artwork to remain financially viable have also emerged for many. The
- [WYWH: “ABCs of Art Law: E is for Ethics”](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-abcs-of-art-law-e-is-for-ethics/) - By Emily Yan On November 20, 2024, the Center for Art Law hosted an online CLE program about the ethical principles guiding art market, with a focus on the law, appraisal, authentication, and auction practices. This event, titled “E is for Ethics,” is the latest installment of the Center’s “ABCs of Art Law” series.[1] The
- [Whoa! Santa Cruz Company in big trouble for copying Beatles music.](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/whoa-santa-cruz-company-in-big-trouble-for-copying-beatles-music/) - https://web.archive.org/web/20110107031643/https://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/11/bluebeat-claims-to-own-new-copyrights-to-old-beatles-songs/ "A federal judge on Thursday ordered a Santa Cruz company to immediately quit selling Beatles and other music on its online site, setting aside a preposterous argument that it had copyrights on songs via a process called “psycho-acoustic simulation.”" Pleadings are up on the website too.
- [From Museum to Museum: Strogonov Spiro "The Duet" for Sale Again](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/from-museum-to-museum-strogonov-spiro-the-duet-for-sale-again/) - Dutch Master Gerrit van Honthorst was a prolific artist but few of his paintings have lead as a exiting existence as "The Duet." Painted in 1624, in the 19th century it resided in St. Petersburg, in the company of Rembrandts, van Dycks and Lucas Cranachs. "The Duet" was once a part of the illustrious collection of Count Strogonov. Stroganov
- [Spotlight: UNESCO and World Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-unesco-and-world-heritage/) - By Lindsay Dekter* We must construct the defenses of peace in the minds of women and men. -UNESCO Motto What are the history, framework, and impact of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention (established in 1972) and the work of the World Heritage Committee (established 1978) as UNESCO celebrates seventy years of success? Historical Background In
- [Swan Song of Dance New Amsterdam?](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/swan-song-of-dance-new-amsterdam/) - By this time next week Dance New Amstrdam may be no more.
- [Oy May! Taking stock 70 years after World War II](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/oy-may-taking-stock-70-years-after-world-war-ii/) - This week countries around the world are celebrating 70 year anniversary of the end of World War II. On May 4, 1945, Denmark was liberated from the Nazi occupation. On May 3, 2015, General Chancellor Angela Merkel joined survivors and liberators of the Dachau concentration camp to mark the end of the War and to
- [Oy Vey: East and West Split along the Ai Weiwei Line](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/oy-vey-east-and-west-split-along-the-ai-weiwei-line/) - Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, remains under arrest more than two months after being detained on his way to Hong Kong last April. He is accused of economic crimes, specifically of tax evasion. However, the charges are unconvincing in light of Weiwei's criticism of the government and defiance of the mainland authorities. Artists and critics
- [Lincoln Center To Advise Chinese Developers](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/lincoln-center-to-advise-chinese-developers/) - On April 28, Lincoln Center announced plans to enter into a three-year agreement with the developers of a performing arts complex in Tianjin, China’s fifth largest city. The plans are currently embodied in a memorandum of understanding, and are subject to the completion of a binding agreement. What services will Lincoln Center be providing under
- [He Paints and Therefore He is on Display in CA and in Jail in NY](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/he-paints-and-therefore-he-is-on-display-in-ca-and-in-jail-in-ny/) - According to Artnet Magazine and ArtDaily, Angel Ortiz, a graffiti artist who's works were featured this April at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, was unable to attend the exhibition opening because he was sent to Rikers Island Jail in New York for spray paining buildings in downtown Manhattan. Ortiz confessed to the
- [Europe Extends Copyright](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/europe-extends-copyright/) - On September 12, the European Commission passed a Directive extending the copyright on music recordings from 50 years to 70 years. Each member state must implement the Directive through its own legislative measures. Eight EU member states voted against the measure. According to the New York Times, Belgium dissented: “A term extension is not an
- [Gagosian Takes on Avedon](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/gagosian-takes-on-avedon/) - Gagosian Gallery is to become the exclusive, worldwide representative of the Avedon Foundation. Richard Avedon, who passed away in 2004, has been hailed as one of the greatest photographers of all time. From his glamorous fashion photography to his revealing portraits of the American West, Avedon left behind an impressive body of work. The Avedon
- [Art Fraud Case ends with a Six-Year Sentence](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-fraud-case-ends-with-a-six-year-sentence/) - Remember her? some $1.35 million painting, "Portrait of a Girl" by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, painter of the Barbizon school in France? She was purchased by Thomas Doyle in 2010 for a reported $775,000 and became a pawn in a scheme to defraud another art investor, Gary Fitzgerald, of $880,000. Doyle had led this investor believe that
- [Picasso drawing stolen in San Francisco](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/picasso-drawing-stolen-in-san-francisco/) - Picasso's "Tête de Femme" a pencil drawing, which is estimated at $200,000, was stolen from a San Francisco art gallery on Tuesday. The suspect was caught on surveillance video walking away with the drawing in hand. Police officials hope that by making this information available to the public it will increase the chances of
- ["Phony And Overvalued Russian Art" Impossible but Caveat Emptor](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/phony-and-overvalued-russian-art-impossible-but-caveat-emptor/) - In July, a Luxembourg company, Arthur Properties S.A., filed a $6.5 million suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, against A.B.A Gallery, a New York-based art gallery specializing in 19th century, 20th century, and contemporary Russian works of art, alleging that the gallery and its owner, Anatol Bekkerman, inflated
- [Odyssey Sequel -- En Banc Hearing for "Black Swan](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/odyssey-sequel-en-banc-hearing-for-black-swan/) - It might be time to say good bye to the summer but not to the Black Swan odyssey. Just last month, on September 21, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., publicly traded company, announced that it will request an en banc hearing before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals judges in the "Black Swan" case. Three judges
- [Nazi-Looted Art in a Small Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/nazi-looted-art-in-a-small-museum/) - The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science in Tallahassee, Florida has been feeling the effects of a poor economy like many other arts institutions. As a smaller institution, the Brogan has felt these effects quite strongly. The museum recently came into possession of a Nazi-looted artwork - and it was perhaps a blessing in
- [A Frieze Work Seized at the Border](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/a-frieze-work-seized-at-the-border/) - Art Law intersects with U.S. Customs Law more often than one might suspect. Last week, a piece of an artwork was stopped at US border while making its way to the Frieze Art Fair New York. The relevant piece of art was a hermit crab. According to customs officials, the crab was inhabiting the shell
- [The Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation Announces the Winners of its Annual Student Writing Competition](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/the-lawyers-committee-for-cultural-heritage-preservation-announces-the-winners-of-its-annual-student-writing-competition/) - The Lawyers' Committee For Cultural Heritage Preservation is a nonprofit organization that fosters engagement with legal issues relating to cultural heritage through initiatives in advocacy and education. Five years ago, the organization began the ‘Student Writing Competition in Cultural Heritage Preservation Law,’ which acknowledges and honors outstanding student scholarship. Submissions have covered a wide range
- [Art Theft – A Sexy Crime?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-theft-a-sexy-crime/) - There is no denying that art theft is steadily on the rise, now worth over $6 billion annually worldwide. Montreal, Quebec, now too is known for being a hotbed of art crime, alone worth $20 million annually and a portal for art thieves to transfer loot to major art markets around the world, particularly New
- [Branded not Motherwell](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/branded-not-motherwell/) - Do art historians know how many "Spanish Elegies" Motherwell produced? While the well is not running dry yet, one of the paintings attributed to the great American artist is now truly worthless. The New York Times reported that a forged Robert Motherwell painting was branded with the equivalent of a scarlet letter in a legal
- [Will the Real Andy Warhol Please Stand Up: the Authentication Board to shut down](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/will-the-real-andy-warhol-please-stand-up-the-authentication-board-to-shut-down/) - The Andy Warhol Foundation has announced that the Art Authentication Board will shut down in early 2012. The announcement comes about a year after the lawsuit, brought against the Foundation by collector Joe Simon-Whelan, had finally ended. Although the Foundation was successful in its defense, its practices have come under intense criticism. Further, the Foundation
- [Legal Lense on Culinary Business](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/legal-lense-on-culinary-business/) - Ewa-Marie Rundquis, Stockholm-based photographer, sued German-owned Vapiano SE and its U.S. subsidiaries, Vapiano International and Vapiano Franchise USA, alleging that her copyright-protected works were reproduced without her permission and used as decorations in franchised restaurants throughout the United States and around the world. According to the Courthouse News Service, Rundquist's attorney, Scott Christensen with
- [Resale Royalties: from CA to NY](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/resale-royalties-from-ca-to-ny/) - Many works of visual art are so unique that exact reproduction is nearly impossible, which sets them apart from other copyrightable works. For example, literary works can be photocopied, and musical works can be uploaded and downloaded. Whereas a writer sells a literary work for an initial print run, a visual artist sells only one
- [Back to Russia with Love: Icons return to the Church](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/back-to-russia-with-love-icons-return-to-the-church/) - Recently, businessman Sergei Shmakov donated more than 70 icons to the Russian Orthodox Church. The icons, that were removed from Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution and World War II, took him on a search around the globe. The Russian cultural minister Alexander Avdeyev accompanied Shmakov on some of his trips. Last November, a law supported
- [Italy Returns Ancient Statue to Libya](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/italy-returns-ancient-statue-to-libya/) - Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti returned the head of a two thousand year old sculpture to Libyan authorities in Tripoli during his visit to the country this past Saturday, January 21. The piece depicts Domitilla Minor, the daughter of the Roman emperor Vespasian. It was smuggled from the northwestern city of Sabratha in the 1960s
- [Italian Trial of Robert Hecht Concludes with No Verdict](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/italian-trial-of-robert-hecht-concludes-with-no-verdict/) - The six-year trial of antiquities dealer Robert Hecht, aged 91, has ended on an anti-climactic note. Throughout a successful career beginning in the 1950s, Hecht supplied the world’s museums, collectors, and dealers with exquisite examples of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art. However, he was also continually dogged by accusations that his artifacts were of
- [Authentication Committees Disband: Warhol 2011, Basquiat 2012, Who’s Next?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/authentication-committees-disband-warhol-2011-basquiat-2012-whos-next/) - On January 7, 2012, the Authentication Committee of the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 - 1988) ("The Committee") announced its intention to disband next September. Basquiat, an influential Neo-expressionist artist, died at the age of 27, months after the passing of Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987). The two artists collaborated on numerous paintings together. Each
- [Madison Avenue Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/madison-avenue-art-dealer-faces-fraud-charges/) - On January 22, 2012, Robert Scott Cook, a Madison Avenue art dealer, was charged for allegedly defrauding a client of 16 artworks by Picasso, Manet, Matisse, Renoir and others worth more than $4.2 million. Cook, a principle of Cook Fine Art (2005-2011), sold watercolors, drawings and photographs to galleries and auction houses behind the owner’s
- [Dealer Seeks Return of Plumed Artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/dealer-seeks-return-of-plumed-artifacts/) - A five-year investigation into artifacts dealer Christopher Kortlander's museum resulted in a raid and allegations that he was dealing in fraudulent artifacts and feathers in violation of federal law. Authorities seized a trove of war bonnets, medicine bags and other items. Subsequently, no charges were ever filed, and most of the items seized during the
- [Hirst not Hirst: Dealer Pleads Guilty to Forging Art Appraisal Documents](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/hirst-not-hirst-dealer-pleads-guilty-to-forging-art-appraisal-documents/) - On January 12, 2012, Richard Silver of Manhattan, admitted to buying online a set of prints depicting ... dots, for about $40,000. He resold them for $84,000 to other collectors in the United States, Canada, and Britain. How did he do that? Well, he had the works appraised and made a few changes to the
- [Occupy Unpaid Internships! An Open Letter to NYFA](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/occupy-unpaid-internships-an-open-letter-to-nyfa/) - By Ariel Greenberg Every day, budding arts professionals scour job classifieds websites and postings in search of internship opportunities in galleries, museums, theaters, and art organizations. We all have to start somewhere, and many prestigious institutions offer internships to students and new job-seekers lacking the background required for paid positions. These internships provide important experience
- [Pitching an idea to e-Textbook Publishers: Trademarks through NY Restaurants](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/pitching-an-idea-to-e-textbook-publishers-trademarks-through-ny-restaurants/) - In case you missed it, there is a new book out dedicated to the mathematical beauty and geometry of pasta (George Legendre and Stefano Grazini's Pasta by Design, not to be confused with The Geometry of Pasta by Caz Hildebrand and Jacob Kenedy). It contains formulas for shapes and cooking pointers for preparing ziti, fiori
- [Loan no More, Turkey Improvises on the Russian Play Book](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/loan-no-more-turkey-improvises-on-the-russian-play-book/) - Earlier this month, The Art Newspaper reported that Turkey is refusing to lend objects to the leading American and British museums because these museums hold disputed objects in their collections. Turkish Ministry of Culture banned loans to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (the Met) and the British Museum in London. This week,
- [How Two Artists are Challenging the SEC’s Role in Shaping the NFT Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/how-two-artists-are-challenging-the-secs-role-in-shaping-the-nft-art-market/) - By Allie Wiley As of the Summer of 2024, Brian L. Frye is suing the Securities and Exchange Commission along with Jonathan Mann to confront the agency’s ability to regulate non-fungible tokens head on. The SEC has taken charge of regulating art that is sold as NFTs despite being created to protect investors.[1] The issue
- [The U.S. Copyright Office: Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Challenges](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-u-s-copyright-office-artificial-intelligence-and-emerging-challenges/) - By Atreya Mathur Summarized from the Testimony of Register Shira Perlmutter for the Oversight Hearing on November 13, 2024 (before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Intellectual Property) which can be heard HERE. On November 13, 2024, Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO), testified before
- [Larry Gagosian Withdraws Suit Against Billionaire Ronald Perelman](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/larry-gagosian-withdraws-suit-against-billionaire-ronald-perelman/) - A development has occurred in the legal battle between former friends and art world powerhouses art dealer and gallerist Larry Gagosian and billionaire collector Ronald Perelman. For details, read our earlier report: Perelman and Gagosian Countersue over 'Popeye.' Last Friday, October 19, Gagosian withdrew his lawsuit filed last month against Perelman's MAFG Art Fund LLC
- [Cultural Property Agreement b/n Ecuador and Brazil](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/cultural-property-agreement-b-n-ecuador-and-brazil/) - On October 2, 2012, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador announced that the Foreign Ministers of Ecuador Ricardo Patiño and of Brazil, Antonio Patriota signed the Cooperation Agreement on stolen or illegally exported cultural assets. According to the Press Release, "in this agreement, the Governments of Ecuador and Brazil recognize the importance of protecting
- [Christo's "Over the River" Obstructed by Legal Challenges](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/christos-over-the-river-obstructed-by-legal-challenges/) - "Over The River" is a temporary work of art, still in progress, by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude (1935-2009), akin to their "The Gates" "Running Fence" and other site-specific large scale projects designed to look at familiar landscapes through a prism. It envisions suspending 5.9 miles of silvery fabric panels above the Arkansas River
- [Germany Returns Ancient Afghan Statute](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/germany-returns-ancient-afghan-statute/) - Last week, Germany’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs returned an ancient pre-Islamic sculpture looted during Afghanistan’s civil war to the National Museum in Kabul. The piece disappeared in 1995 and was traced to Munich last year. Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin is continuing to investigate how the artifact arrived in Germany. The limestone artwork, which stands 30
- ["Trickery and Deceit" ... Not?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/trickery-and-deceit-not/) - On February 9, 2012, Robert Kirkman was sued by his former illustrator, Toni Moore, for tricking him to surrender his rights to "Walking Dead" in exchange for payments that never came. A few months before the suit, Kirkman opined that a book writer should find an artist for his stories by "trickery and deceit." Whatever
- [Global Art Conflict in New York](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/global-art-conflict-in-new-york/) - Cambodia has asked the United States government for help in recovering a thousand-year-old statue of a mythic warrior that sits in limbo at Sotheby’s in New York and that some experts believe was looted amid the convulsions of the Vietnam War and the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge. For the full story, read The
- [Money Makes the Art Go Round](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/money-makes-the-art-go-round/) - President Obama is proposing a budget for 2013 that would raise the National Endowment for the Arts' annual spending to $154.3 million from about $146 million this year. Of the proposed $8 million, about half will go directly to nonprofit arts organizations and 25% will go to state arts agencies. This proposed increase is a
- ["Black Swan" Treasure to Sail Back to Spain](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/black-swan-treasure-to-sail-back-to-spain/) - On appeal, Florida circuit court upheld a decision that treasures from a sunken Spanish galleon must be returned. The coins, found by US treasure-hunter Odyssey Marine Explorer, in 2007, over half a million of them, gold and silver, estimated at $500 million, belong to Spain. Decision was handed down last week, on January 31, 2012,
- [Dewey and LaBoeuf Rejects Leases, but What Will Become of its Art?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/dewey-and-laboeuf-rejects-leases-but-what-will-become-of-its-art/) - As fallen law firmcLLP considers measures to satisfy creditors in the wake of recently filing for bankruptcy, the question presents itself: what will happen to the firm's "stuff"--namely, the firm's collection of art? The firm's restructuring officer explained: "With the exception of a sublease in the Debtor's former New York City offices (currently being utilized
- [WikiLoot: Crowdsourcing to ID and Recover Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/wikiloot-crowdsourcing-to-id-and-recover-cultural-heritage/) - WikiLoot.com is a blank page. But there is a buzz on the nets about the idea that Jason Felch, co-author of "Chasing Aphrodite" is pitching to the academic and law-enforcement community. He wants to put information about stolen artifacts: police reports, unpublished photos, and research documents into a crowdsourcing data base. In an article by
- [Spring Cleaning -- Free Offprints](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spring-cleaning-free-offprints/) - In case you missed "Human Rights and Cultural Heritage: from the Holocaust to the Haitian Earthquake" (March 31, 2011) and "Art as Investment: Legal and Business Issues Examined" (April 4, 2012) CLE programs but would like to receive a free copy of the packets distributed at these events, email cardozoartlaw@gmail.com. You will need to pay for postage and
- [POW stands for "Portrait of Wally," at Tribeca Film Festival](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/pow-stands-for-portrait-of-wally-at-tribeca-film-festival/) - On April 28 and 29, this Saturday and Sunday, Tribeca Film Festival will show a documentary about the restitution case of Egon Schiele's "Portrait of Wally." Some details from the press release: "In 1939, Nazis seized control of Austrian art collector Lea Bondi's beloved Egon Schiele painting "Portrait of Wally." For 70 years the Bondi
- [Federal Judge Issues Restraining Order To Delay Destruction of Public Art at JFK Airport](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/federal-judge-issues-restraining-order-to-delay-destruction-of-public-art-at-jfk-airport/) - Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet issued a restraining order against the Terminal 1 Group Association, temporarily halting their plan to destroy artist Alice Aycock's sculptural public work "Star Sifter" to make way for a new food stands at JFK Airport. Installed in 1998, Aycock's "Star Sifter" has been a fixture at JFK for
- [Firms with Art Law Practice Groups](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/firms-with-art-law-practice-groups/) - If you ask any attorney about art-related cases, chances he or she has handled at least one matter related to disposition of a collection, title dispute, tax valuation or theft of an artwork. Nevertheless, not every attorney purports to specialize in art law. How many firms in the United States (small, large and in-between) have
- [Federal Court Dismisses Forfeiture Suit Over 3,200-year-old Mask of Ka-Nefer-Nefer](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/federal-court-dismisses-forfeiture-suit-over-3200-year-old-mask-of-ka-nefer-nefer/) - A decision in favor of the St. Louis Art Museum was recently handed down in federal district court in the dispute over one of its prized artifacts--the 3,200-year-old mummy mask of Ka-Nefer-Nefer, an ancient Egyptian noblewoman who lived from 1295 to 1186 BCE. In early January, the U.S. Attorney's office filed a forfeiture suit against
- [Foreign Affairs Doctrine Preempts Von Saher's Claim Again](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/foreign-affairs-doctrine-preempts-von-sahers-claim-again/) - "It is again with great reluctance that the Court concludes that plaintiff's claims are preempted by the foreign affairs doctrine, realizing the effect that this decision may have on victims of the Holocaust and their descendants," U.S. District Judge John F. Walter wrote in regards to the amended claim to recover Nazi-era looted art. The
- [Astor's Estate out of Probate](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/astors-estate-out-of-probate/) - The last Mrs. Astor of New York died in 2007. A five-year dispute over her estate (which will and revisions to probate), ended in the Westchester Country Surrogate court on March 28, 2011. Now, millions of dollars are free to be distributed to charities such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and the
- [Fossils Dealer Wants his Dinosaur Skeleton Back](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/fossils-dealer-wants-his-dinosaur-skeleton-back/) - Eric Prokopi, a Florida-based fossils dealer is not giving up on a dinosaur skeleton he recreated from pieces of rock and stone, which was seized by the US Government earlier this summer. The dinosaur skeleton parts are thought to have originated in Mongolia. A New York judge ordered seizure of the skeleton arguing that it
- [Britain Places Export Ban On Famous Picasso Painting In Effort To Keep Masterpiece In Britain](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/britain-places-export-ban-on-famous-picasso-painting-in-effort-to-keep-masterpiece-in-britain/) - The British government has placed a temporary export ban on Pablo Picasso's painting Child With A Dove in the hope that funds can be raised to keep the iconic work in the United Kingdom. The painting is privately owned by the Aberconway family of North Whales and has been on loan to the National Gallery since
- [Censorship and Taxes: The Latest Developments in Ai Weiwei's Legal Battles with the Chinese Authorities](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/censorship-and-taxes-the-latest-developments-in-ai-weiweis-legal-battles-with-the-chinese-authorities/) - China's most infamous dissident artist, Ai Weiwei, claims that he was barred from attending his court hearing yesterday, June 21, in his lawsuit against a governmental tax agency due to police warnings and intimidation. Chinese courts, which are controlled by the ruling communist party, rarely accept lawsuits filed by dissidents or their relatives. However, last month, Beijing's Chaoyang
- [Decision Announced in Diamantides Suit Against Sotheby's](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/decision-announced-in-diamantides-suit-against-sothebys/) - Earlier this week, Sotheby's and one of its specialists were found guilty of selling a fake painting by Greek artist Constantin Parthenis. As we reported earlier in Disputed Greek Art: First Water Diamonds or Forgeries, Greek shipping tycoon Diamantis Diamantides filed this lawsuit against Sotheby's in January, alleging that the auction house fraudulently convinced him to
- [CA District Court Finds State Resale Royalty Unconstitutional](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ca-district-court-finds-state-resale-royalty-unconstitutional/) - By Peninah Petruck Artists vs. Auction Houses. Round one, the winner, the auction houses. In Estate of Robert Graham et al v. Sotheby's, Inc., and Sam Francis Foundation v. Christie's, Inc. (consolidated cases), the California District Court found the 1977 California Resale Royalty Act unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause. The decision stated: Under its clear
- [The Mask, Egyptian Funerary and Known to Legally Disappear](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/the-mask-egyptian-funerary-and-known-to-legally-disappear/) - US v. Mask of Ka-Nefer-Nefer is a case dealing with an Egyptian mask which may or may not have been sold or stolen sometime after it was excavated during a state-sponsored dig in the early 1950s, registered to the Egyptian Antiquities Service and shipped to Cairo for restoration in 1966. It went missing in 1973 and
- [Cave Consignor! NY Art Consignment Law Muscles Up](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cave-consignor-ny-art-consignment-law-muscles-up/) - By Irina Tarsis How is it in Latin: "Consignors be happy!" Years of efforts to revise the New York Consignment Law have paid off. Starting November 6, 2012, failure to pay specific art consignors, a category that includes artists, heirs to artists’ estates, and collectors, can be considered a misdemeanor in the state of New
- [Prospect of Forum Shopping in Nazi-Era Looted Art Litigation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/prospect-of-forum-shopping-in-nazi-era-looted-art-litigation/) - By Damla Karabay The complex provenance histories of stolen and looted art, often spanning multiple locations and competing ownership claims, frequently lead to conflicts of law and competing jurisdictions when disputes enter litigation. Consequently, choosing the most favorable court for the plaintiff becomes a crucial aspect of the looted art litigation process. While justice is
- [Interview with Jason Felch, Co-Author of "Chasing Aphrodite" and Founder of the Museum of Looted Antiquities](https://itsartlaw.org/interview/interview-with-jason-felch-co-author-of-chasing-aphrodite-and-founder-of-the-museum-of-looted-antiquities/) - Interview conducted by Morgan Austrich About Jason Felch Jason Felch is a former investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He now runs a research firm that performs open source investigations, digging into complex issues involving transnational and organized crime for private clients including law firms, businesses, investors and NGOs. He is the author of
- [Russia is no Congo: Chabad Decisions and Moscow Convictions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/russia-is-no-congo-chabad-decisions-and-moscow-convictions/) - Moscow Does not Believe in Tears, the movie, came out in 1980. According to Bulgakov, when Voland* visited Moscow in the 1930s, Moscow did not believe in God. Well, Moscow's convictions regarding cultural artifacts are in the affirmative: when asked to return anything, it either ignores the request or gets even. Following decades of efforts to
- [Sotheby's Challenged in London Court over Caravaggio Attribution](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/sothebys-challenged-in-london-court-over-caravaggio-attribution/) - Sotheby's Online Record. In December 2006, Lancelot William Thwaytes, decedent of Surgeon Captain W.G. Thwaytes*, consigned an artwork to auction at Sotheby's London. Entitled "The Cardsharps," it was catalogued as "a copy after Caravaggio." Denis Mahon who purchased the painting paid £50,400 (hammer price of £42,000 plus premiums) and promptly re-attributed it to Caravaggio. Reportedly, he "obtained
- [UPDATE: Mark Rothko Vandal Sentenced](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/update-mark-rothko-vandal-sentenced/) - Vladimir Umanets, also known as Wlodzimierz Umaniec, defacedMark Rothko's Black on Maroon at the Tate Modern October 7, 2012. Judge Roger Chapple, of the Inner London Crown Court, sentenced Vladimir Umanets to two years in prison. Umanets vandalized a £9 million (US$15 million) Rothko at the Tate Modern on December 7th. He admitted responsibility and to £5,000
- [Theft of 3,000 Year Old Sacred Petroglyphs Along the California-Nevada Border Shock Paiute Tribe and Archaeologists Alike](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/theft-of-3000-year-old-sacred-petroglyphs-along-the-california-nevada-border-shock-paiute-tribe-and-archaeologists-alike/) - A theft of unprecedented proportions has occurred in eastern California. Equipped with ladders, saws, and other heavy duty power tools, unknown thieves gouged out six ancient petroglyphs etched into the volcanic stone landscape and damaged dozens more. Petroglyphs as large as 20 x 40 x 6 inches were extracted and some slabs were sawed off
- [Call for Papers: Art, Culture and Heritage Stream](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/call-for-papers-art-culture-and-heritage-stream/) - York University in England will hold an Art, Culture and Heritage stream in March 2012. Below please find details of a call for papers for the 'Art, Culture and Heritage stream' for the upcoming Socio-Legal Studies Association 2013 conference in York March 28-30. Details are available here: The stream aims to bring together discourse
- [Fires Ravaging Aleppo's Ancient Souk Raise Concerns Over Destruction of Cultural Heritage Sites in Syria](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/fires-ravaging-aleppos-ancient-souk-raise-concerns-over-destruction-of-cultural-heritage-sites-in-syria/) - The struggles in Syria have claimed thousands of lives. Across war-torn regions, damage is also being done to ancient sites as a byproduct of the bloody fighting that has already claimed more than 30,000 lives. Forces of the rebel Tawhid Brigade recently launched an attempt to take control of Aleppo from President Bashar al-Assad. Almost two
- [Lawsuit By Competition Finalist Over Olympic Opening Ceremony Design](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lawsuit-by-competition-finalist-over-olympic-opening-ceremony-design/) - Outraged English artist Lee Merrill Sendall is considering ways to mount a lawsuit for copyright infringement concerning similarities between the design he submitted to the 2009 competition "Artists Taking the Lead" (ATTL) and the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. Sendall's "Large Spiral Mound" was one of 133 project proposals submitted to the ATTL competition sponsored
- [US Copyright Office to Review Artist Resale Royalty](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/us-copyright-office-to-review-artist-resale-royalty/) - Artists, unlike authors and composers, rarely benefit from resale of their works. When enacted, an artist resale royalty, aka droit de suite, provides artists an opportunities to profit from the increased value of their works over time. This right originated in France in the 1920s and has been a general practice throughout Europe. In the
- [The Keith Haring Foundation Announces Its Decision To Disband Authentication Committee](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-keith-haring-foundation-announces-its-decision-to-disband-authentication-committee/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. On September 14, 2012, the trustees of the Keith Haring Foundation announced that it will disband its authentication committee. The Foundation's executive director, Julia Gruen, stated that, in a unanimous decision, the trustees decided to dissolve the committee and discontinue accepting requests to review artworks attributed to the late artist. A press release
- [Perelman and Gagosian Countersue Over 'Popeye'](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/perelman-and-gagosian-countersue-over-popeye/) - If there is only one name of an art dealer one can name in one's sleep, it must be 'Larry Gagosian.' If there is a wish list for high profile clients, art dealers must covet having Ronald Perelman as their client. Here, the two heavyweights in their proper categories are suing to resolve their differences.
- [Et tu Vietnam?! Musicians imprisoned](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/et-tu-vietnam-musicians-imprisoned/) - "First critics, then bloggers, then poets, and now musicians. The international community can no longer stand by quietly as these free speech activists are picked off one by one by Vietnam's security apparatus." Phil Robertson, Division Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch's Asia* On October 30, 2012, a court in Vietnam sentenced two musicians, Vo Minh
- [The Met Admission Fee Under Attack](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/the-met-admission-fee-under-attack/) - On November 14, 2012, Theodore Grunewald and Patricia Nicholson, two members of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), started legal action against the Museum for misleads the general public and deceiving visitors that the admission fees were mandatory and not suggested. Full adult fee to enjoy the Met's riches is a whooping $25 and
- [Regarding Flower in Murakami v. Boesky](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/regarding-flower-in-murakami-v-boesky/) - On November 7, 2012, attorneys with Clarick Gueron Reisbaum LLP representing Japanese artist Takashi Murakimi filed a Complaint alleging that "...Takashi Murakami seeks to obtain a declaration that his former gallery [Marianne Boesky Gallery] may not reproduce certain original artwork of his and to recover control of his artwork from his former gallery, which has
- [New York Times Surveys Aggressive and Controversial Measures Taken By Turkey to Ensure the Return of Antiquities](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/new-york-times-surveys-aggressive-and-controversial-measures-taken-by-turkey-to-ensure-the-return-of-antiquities/) - Turkey has instilled fear in museum directors and curators across North America and Europe with its an aggressive new campaign to repatriate its antiquities. Though it ratified the UNESCO convention that permits museums to acquire artifacts that were outside their countries of origin before 1970, Turkey is now relying on a 1906 Ottoman-era law banning export
- [Spotlight: The Art Loss Register (UK)](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-the-art-loss-register-uk/) - The Art Loss Register (ALR) has become synonymous with due diligence in the art parley. Dealers, museums, collectors, insurance companies, all who consider investing in art works are expected de facto to inquire about the origins of the objects they are buying, just to make sure they are not stolen and title will pass to the buyer. According
- [WYWH: 2024 Art & Law Executive Course & International Conference on Preventing Art Crimes Through Regulation and Self-Regulation](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-2024-art-law-executive-course-international-conference-on-preventing-art-crimes-through-regulation-and-self-regulation/) - By Emily G. Finch and Center for Art Law As an intern with the Center for Art Law, in September 2024, I was thrilled to attend not one but two events in Italy. First I participated in the Art & Law Executive Course in Florence and later I traveled to Milan for the International Conference:
- [The Contentious World of Art Appraisal: Michelangelo, Van der Schardt and the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board*](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-contentious-world-of-art-appraisal-michelangelo-van-der-schardt-and-the-canadian-cultural-property-export-review-board/) - The Canadian government offers a tax incentive to encourage the donation of art from private collections to public institutions, a practice that is similarly followed in the United Kingdom and the United States. On one hand, the public receives access to artwork that they might otherwise never see, and on the other hand the individuals
- [It's a Riot not a Scream: Judge with a Sense of Humor Hears Green Day Copyright Infringement Case on Appeal](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/its-a-riot-not-a-scream-judge-with-a-sense-of-humor-hears-green-day-copyright-infringement-case-on-appeal/) - By Center for Art Law Editors Did you hear that a 9th Circuit judge brought an inflatable doll of the figure from the Munch's painting The Scream into court? The gesture if true seems very apropos when hearing arguments on appeal in Dereck Seltzer v. Green Day, Inc. et al, 2:10-cv-02103-PSG-PLA. In the Complaint, filed in 2010, Plaintiff seeks
- [Suit to Follow: preemptive court declaration sought for Renoir](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/suit-to-follow-preemptive-court-declaration-sought-for-renoir/) - In 2011 Art News reported that the title to Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Paysage de Cagnes" was challenged in court in Illionos after the painting hung on the wall of a home in Lake Forest, Illinois for over 50 years. For more than half a century Korhumel family, Newton F. Korhumel and his wife, Irene L. Korhumel
- [Case Review: Ravensburger v. Italian Ministry of Culture (LG Stuttgart, Judgment of 14.03.2024 - 17 O 247/22)](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-ravensburger-v-italian-ministry-of-culture/) - By Lydia Filipsson The Vitruvian Man, created by Leonardo da Vinci around 1490, is a renowned drawing that illustrates the ideal human proportions, depicting a nude male figure inscribed within a circle and a square, symbolizing the connection between the divine and the earthly. Currently housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia in Italy, it
- [From the Archives | Knoedler Obituary (1857 – 2011): Select Legal History of the Oldest American Art Gallery](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/from-the-archives-knoedler-obituary-1857-2011-select-legal-history-of-the-oldest-american-art-gallery/) - What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. ~ T. S. Eliot By Irina Tarsis Every important art museum and private collection in the United States likely owns works of art that at one point or another, or more
- [Art Dealer Professionals Beware of Purchasing Stolen Goods](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-dealer-professionals-beware-of-purchasing-stolen-goods/) - By Sekou Campbell, Esq. Judges in the District Court for the Central District of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (twice, here and here) and Justices in the U.S. Supreme Court have heard the story of Norton Simon, a case initiated on May 1, 2007 by a family member of a victim of Nazi
- [Where do you find "Art Law?"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/where-do-you-find-art-law/) - By Irina Tarsis In the 21st century, some attorneys who represent artists and galleries, who work with auction houses and who advise collectors still deny the existence of art law as a practice area. We have opined on the definition of art law in the past. The reason to take up this subject again is
- [Book Review: “Art and Business: Transactions in Art & Cultural Property” (2016)](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/book-review-art-and-business-transactions-in-art-cultural-property-2016/) - By Marine Leclinche With every new publication on the subject of art law we are pleased to note the developments and growth of the field, as well as acknowledge new authors tackling the subject. In his introduction, to Art and Business Kevin P. Ray, a Chicago-based attorney who specialized in art and cultural heritage and financial
- [Restitution, Repatriation and Return: When Objects Go Back; (Part 2 of 5) Restitution of Cultural Objects Taken During World War II](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/restitution-repatriation-and-return-when-objects-go-back-part-2-of-5-restitution-of-cultural-objects-taken-during-world-war-ii/) - By Kevin P. Ray, first posted on Greenberg Traurig’s art law blog Cultural Assets on March 20, 2015. This article is the second in a five-part series discussing the restitution, repatriation, and return of cultural objects. Each part addresses a different category of return. The first article in the series available here, addressed the restitution of
- [Case Review: Konowaloff v. Metropolitan Museum of Art (Holding: Met Can Keep Cézanne)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/konowaloff-v-met-decision-met-can-keep-cezanne/) - By Irina Tarsis On December 18, 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the 2011 decision dismissing the lawsuit of Pierre Konowaloff against the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the ownership of Paul Cézanne's painting Madame Cézanne in the Conservatory on the basis of the Act of State Doctrine. According to
- [The ‘Heroes and Monsters’ Exhibition: Conspiracy in Cultural Institutions?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-heroes-and-monsters-exhibition-conspiracy-in-cultural-institutions/) - By Jessica Mellen Followers of art news are likely well aware of the headlining FBI raid of the Heroes and Monsters exhibit by the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA). In early 2022, the exhibition claimed to display twenty-five newly discovered and never before exhibited paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat. The former Executive of Operations and presiding
- [Protecting Filmmakers’ Rights in the Digital Age](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/protecting-filmmakers-rights-in-the-digital-age/) - By Shruti Vadada Introduction In an era where technology has blurred the lines between professional and amateur filmmaking, the digital age has redefined how stories are told and who gets to tell them. Platforms like Kickstarter and YouTube have democratized the filmmaking industry, allowing anyone with a camera and an idea to enter the spotlight.
- [The Case of the Ladies Who Lounge](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-case-of-the-ladies-who-lounge/) - By Helen Boone Curator, conceptual artist, and now performance artist, Kirsha Kaechele has turned an Australian museum exhibit into an international debate surrounding gender inequality. The Museum of Old and New Art’s (“MONA”) “Ladies Lounge,” a section of the museum only available to people who identify as women, is at the center of a discrimination
- [Before SCOTUS Hears Another Looted Art Case, Should Congress Reform the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/before-scotus-hears-another-looted-art-case-should-congress-reform-the-foreign-sovereign-immunities-act/) - By Joseph G. Scapellato Holocaust survivors and their heirs face substantial challenges in suits to recover Nazi-looted art in U.S. courts. First, a potential claimant must locate a lost work of art from an evidentiary record tainted by forcible displacement, fraud, and genocide. After locating the artwork, the claimant must then prove that they have
- [Reclaiming the Past: An Overview of the U.S-India Cultural Property Agreement](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/reclaiming-the-past-an-overview-of-the-u-s-india-cultural-property-agreement/) - By Atreya Mathur Imagine walking through a museum and coming face to face with a carved statue of a deity, its ancient aura exuding centuries of history and cultural significance. Now, consider that this artifact, which rightfully belongs in a temple or local museum in its country of origin, was stolen, smuggled across borders, and
- [Exploring Legal Controversies Surrounding Vivian Maier’s Estate](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/exploring-legal-controversies-surrounding-vivian-maiers-estate/) - By Tianai Song A recent exhibition at Fotografiska in NYC [1] serves as a poignant reminder of street photographer Vivian Maier’s (1926–2009) hidden talents. Maier’s photographs, often described as visual poems,[2] capture the essence of humanity in its most unembellished forms, offering an appreciation of the mundane. Her unique perspective on everyday life—whether it be
- [A New Framework for Cultural Heritage Protection through the CERD: Armenia v. Azerbaijan](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-new-framework-for-cultural-heritage-protection-through-the-cerd-armenia-v-azerbaijan/) - By Isabelle Kapoian, under the guidance of Yelena Ambartsumian, Esq. Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh, a region where Armenian communities have existed ancestrally for centuries, is not safe. Considering Azerbaijan's policies of erasure of countless churches, cemeteries, and other historically and culturally important constructions and artifacts, Armenia has turned to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- [Case Review: Kerson v. Vermont Law School, Inc.](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-kerson-v-vermont-law-school-inc/) - By Joseph Scapellato "I don't feel like I'm responsible for people that have reactions to it . . ." ~ Artist Samuel Kerson, speaking to "Seven Days Vermont" American property law is commonly analogized to a bundle of sticks, where ownership of property confers various privileges upon the owner.[1] If a person owns a television,
- [Dispute Between Minerva and Neptune: Conflicts Between Spanish Territories over the Patronage of Cultural Assets from a Legal Perspective](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/dispute-between-minerva-and-neptune-conflicts-between-spanish-territories-over-the-patronage-of-cultural-assets-from-a-legal-perspective/) - By Lucas Güimil Valdés Introduction One of the foundational myths of Athens, known as the name-giving of Athens,[1] involves the Greek gods Athena and Poseidon competing for the privilege of patronizing the city by presenting it with a divine gift.[2] Poseidon, who is named Neptune in the Roman tradition,[3] decided to bring forth a source
- [La Bella Principessa Decision (Not So Pretty)](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/la-bella-principessa-decision-not-so-pretty/) - On Jan. 31, 2011, Judge Koeltl dismissed Jeanne Marchig's case against Christie's alleging five causes of action based on the 1998 sale of a Drawing now attributed to Leonardo da Vinci because they were time barred. Causes of Action: breach of fiduciary duty; breach of warranty; negligence; negligent misrepresentation; conversion of the frame the Drawing
- [Book Review: Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger (2012) by Ken Perenyi](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/book-review-caveat-emptor-the-secret-life-of-an-american-art-forger-2012-by-ken-perenyi/) - By Caitlin O’Hare Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger is a first-hand account by Ken Perenyi, who built a lucrative career out of art forgery, living a life of luxury while duping countless people along the way. For those curious about how one might get away with art forgery and become
- [Is Artificial Intelligence Copyrightable? A Report on the Copyright Office’s AI Initiative](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/is-artificial-intelligence-copyrightable-a-report-on-the-copyright-offices-ai-initiative/) - By Ana Larsen As generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increasingly integrated into daily life, its role has evolved from being an assistive tool, such as a translation aid, into a service capable of rendering its own creative work. Although it is reliant on using human-made work to train and can be prone to error, generative
- [Matisse's "Odalisque in Red Pants" Recovered by FBI and Returning Home to Venezuela](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/matisses-odalisque-in-red-pants-recovered-by-fbi-and-returning-home-to-venezuela/) - Henri Matisse's "Odalisque in Red Pants" was recovered this July by the FBI and is now being returned to the Caracas Museum of Contemporary Art. It is unknown how the painting disappeared from the museum in 2000. In 2002, a collector discovered that the painting disappeared, and after investigations by the museum it was revealed
- [Mayan Temple Destroyed](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/mayan-temple-destroyed-savagely/) - It was reported that on May 13th, 2013 archaeologists and government officials in Belize discovered that the Nohmul complex site was destroyed. It was one of the largest Mayan pyramids in Belize, an important ceremonial center located near the Mexican border. Most shockingly, the temple's rock was sold simply as road gravel. Archaeologists are calling
- [In Sobel v. Eggleston, Limited Edition Is NO Limit to Subsequent Editions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/in-sobel-v-eggleston-limited-edition-is-no-limit-to-subsequent-editions/) - Detail of William Eggleston, "Untitled," 1970. It took less than a year for the Judge Deborah A. Batts to rule in Sobel v. Eggleston (12 Civ. 2551). She dismissed Plaintiff's claims with prejudice. To learn more about the case, read "Collector v. Photographer on Dilution and Creative Rights." In summary, Plaintiff's Complaint contained the following: Mr. Sobel, the Plaintiff purchased eight of Eggleston's photographic
- ["Pandorin's Box": Jenack v. Rabizadeh Threatens Anonymity of Sellers at Auction](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/pandorins-box-jenack-v-rabizadeh-threatens-anonymity-of-sellers-at-auction/) - Art lawyers are abuzz about the controversial decision that allowed an art collector who placed a winning bid at an auction to back out of the transaction unscathed. What's in a Box?* In 2008 Consignor No. 428 tried to sell a valuable Russian antique through a public auction held in New York State. Bidder with a
- [Navigating New Grounds on the Nazi-Looted Art Restitution Field: Swiss Commission and German Arbitration Tribunal](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/navigating-new-grounds-on-the-nazi-looted-art-restitution-field-swiss-commission-and-german-arbitration-tribunal/) - By Amanda Buonaiuto In the Process of Crafting a Committee: Insights from Switzerland Switzerland will form a Committee to address Nazi-looted art cases later this year.[1] This decision is not new, as discussions on this topic have existed for a long time. However, it gained particular attention in 2021, following the exhibition of several artworks
- [Film Review: "Driven to Abstraction" (2019) & "Made You Look" (2020)](https://itsartlaw.org/film-review/film-review-driven-to-abstraction-2019-made-you-look-2020/) - By Tianai Song The stories about fakes and forgeries circulating in the art market and fooling experts and collectors alike strike our imagination, capturing the public's fascination with tales of deception, intrigue, and the quest for authenticity. Among the many art scandals that have emerged, the forgery scandal involving the now-defunct Knoedler Gallery stands out
- [In the Eye of the Beholder: Appraisals of Art for Estate Tax Liability](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/in-the-eye-of-the-beholder-appraisals-of-art-for-estate-tax-liability/) - By Emily Lanza In February 2017, the U.S. Tax Court ruled that the estate of a deceased New York woman, Eva Franzen Kollsman, undervalued $2.4 million worth of art on the estate tax return. The assets at issue before the Tax Court were two Old Master paintings by Pieter and Jan Brueghel held by the
- [Book Review: "Posthumous Art, Law and the Art Market," Sharon Hecker and  Peter J. Karol, eds. (2022)](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/book-review-posthumous-art-law-and-the-art-market-sharon-hecker-and-peter-j-karol-eds-1st-ed-2022/) - By Viola Koenz The first impression after picking up the book Posthumous Art, Law and the Art Market, edited by Sharon Hecker and Peter J. Karol and published by Routledge in 2022 are two Statues of Liberty on the cover: the original by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and the silhouette of another almost identical, darker-colored one, which
- [Era of Despoilment: Looting in Cambodia (1970–2010)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/era-of-despoilment-looting-in-cambodia-1970-2010/) - By Cynthia Li “Looting” is a broad term to describe the nuances of all incidents of loss of cultural property. For Cambodia, an outflux of cultural antiquities is due to internal and external forces. The anti-intellectual Khmer Rouge government, which sought to stifle Cambodian culture, profited off its looted antiquities. Externally, buyers from around the
- [Carats & Contracts: Intellectual Property Protection for Jewelry Designs](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/carats-contracts-intellectual-property-protection-for-jewelry-designs/) - From the Editors: Center for Art Law often receives inquiries that inspire our articles. Please reach out if you have questions. Who knows, your question might blossom as one our upcoming articles. by Atreya Mathur Imagine a jewelry designer who has just unveiled a new collection inspired by floral motifs, detailed with engraved designs of
- [The Conservation of Culture at All Costs: Spain’s Cultural Asset Export Laws as Examined Through the Old Masters](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-conservation-of-culture-at-all-costs-spains-cultural-asset-export-laws-as-examined-through-the-old-masters/) - By Chloe Ghaleb The beating heart of the Spanish polity is a proud and multilayered culture. Modern Spain derives from deep historical traditions that encompass millennia of different empires, religions, and flashpoint events. Its historical traditions are reflected in Spain's landmarks, religious sites, and artistic legacies, which are integral elements of its national heritage. In
- [Dancing with Rights: Analyzing Copyright for Choreographic Works in the United States](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/dancing-with-rights-analyzing-copyright-for-choreographic-works-in-the-united-states/) - By Atreya Mathur and Beverly Osazuwa Dance has always been a significant part of human expression, and the expansion of the 1976 Copyright Act was the first U.S. law to make choreography copyrightable.[1] With the rise of MTV and music videos in the eighties, dance routines like those by Michael Peters (“Thriller”) and Anthony Thomas
- [Case Review: Farmer-Paellmann v Smithsonian Inst.](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-farmer-paellmann-v-smithsonian-inst/) - By Beverly Osazuwa The ongoing campaign for the return of the Benin Bronzes has been one of the most recognized cases for the restitution of looted cultural heritage from the colonial era. In the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom (modern-day Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria),[1] soldiers slaughtered civilians, burned their homes, stole
- [Canadian "Shift" Designated Cultural Heritage Site](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/canadian-shift-designated-cultural-heritage-site/) - Brief coverage from 2013: Richard Serra created a site specific low-concrete structure in a field north of Toronto in 1970s. Source: The New York Times.
- [WYWH: 2024 CPAL Conference](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-2024-cpal-conference/) - By Damla Karabay and Helen Boone Established in 2020, in New York, the Center for the Preservation of Artists’ Legacies (CPAL) is a non-profit organization conducting research and organizing events on preservation, conservation, legacy stewardship, and research on conditions impacting artists. CPAL aims to address legacy challenges facing contemporary visual artists and their life’s work,
- [The Cost of Fakes: The Aesthetic, Legal, and Economic Implications of Forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-cost-of-fakes-the-aesthetic-legal-and-economic-implications-of-forgeries/) - By Emily Ham Part I: Contextualization of Recent Fakes and Forgeries 25 "Basquiat" Forgeries In the fall of 2012, an auctioneer named Michael Barzman put up paintings that were marketed as authentic Jean-Michel Basquiat works to be sold on eBay. Original works by Basquiat are in high demand and generate top prices. Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-88)
- [Generative AI and transparency of databases and their content, from a copyright perspective](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/generative-ai-and-transparency-of-databases-and-their-content-from-a-copyright-perspective/) - By Ana Andrijevic* In May 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) updated its Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI),[1] including the principle of transparency,[2] which has contributed to shaping policy[3] and regulatory debates on AI and generative AI (i.e. deep learning models that can create new content, such as text, computer code, and
- [“Shhhhhh”: Kat Von D and Tattoo Fan Art - Sedlik v. Von  Drachenberg (2021)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/shhhhhh-kat-von-d-and-tattoo-fan-art/) - By Alexandra Materia Tattoos place another wrinkle into the realm of copyright law and their interaction with the fair use defense. Famously in Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith Justice Kagan passionately dissented from her majority justices to argue that Warhol's use of the Prince photograph was not fair use because
- [Ransomware Attack on Christie’s: A Wake-Up Call for Art World Cybersecurity?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ransomware-attack-on-christies-a-wake-up-call-for-art-world-cybersecurity/) - By Rachel Sundar On May 27th, 2024, the cyber-extortionist group RansomHub, notorious for their recent attack on Change Healthcare, published a statement on the dark web, taking responsibility for a cyber assault on Christie’s, one of the world’s largest auction houses, with key locations in cities such as New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, and
- [Deciphering the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and Its Effects on Reclaiming Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/deciphering-the-foreign-sovereign-immunities-act-and-its-effects-on-reclaiming-looted-art/) - By Madeline Halgren What really happens when a resident of the United States discovers their art or their ancestor's art was stolen by a foreign country and wants to take action for its return? The first course of action one might take is to simply ask for the work's return. In stolen art cases within
- [Folding the White Cube: What Is Transforming the Gallery Scene in NYC?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/folding-the-white-cube-what-is-transforming-the-gallery-scene-in-nyc/) - By Alexandra Terrell Speaking at a Stropheus Art Law event entitled “Letting Go of Brick and Mortar: The Future of the Gallery” in September 2016, Josh Baer noted that the notorious art scene in the Big Apple has always changed cyclically. He questioned, “How many [galleries] are going to be flourishing 5, 10, 20 years
- [Jasper Johns Awarded Presidential Medal of Honor](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/2152-2/) - Jasper Johns received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, on February 15, 2010. The famous artist was among 14 individuals who President Obama said "reveal the best of who we are and who we aspire to be." Other recipients included former President George H.W. Bush, Yo-Yo Ma, and Maya Angelou. From
- [Artists Appeal California Resale Royalty Act Invalidation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artists-appeal-california-resale-royalty-act-invalidation/) - By Irina Tarsis Artistic and legal minds want to know "Does the California Resale Right Act (the "Act") violate the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution, U.S. Const, Art. I, sec. 8, cl.3?" This is but one of the questions on appeal before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals following the June 6, 2012
- [On Arguing for Art Funding in a Uncertain Economy](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/on-arguing-for-art-funding-in-a-uncertain-economy/) - "If you have been following the news about arts funding, you have reason to be concerned. A vast pool of private, public, and philanthropic capital has gone down the drain in the US, and elsewhere, in the “Great Recession”—with predictable consequences. What’s more, we may be on the cusp of a generational shift in giving
- [Knoedler Obituary (1857 – 2011): Select Legal History of the Oldest American Art Gallery](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/knoedler-obituary-1857-2011-select-legal-history-of-the-oldest-american-art-gallery-2/) - By Irina Tarsis What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. ~T.S. Eliot Every important art museum and private collection in the United States likely owns works of art that at one point or another, or more than once,
- [Revisited: Aphrodite Leaves U.S. For Sicily](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/revisited-aphrodite-leaves-u-s-for-sicily/) - Along with the agreement for 39 other prominent objects from their antiquities collection, one of the greatest sculptures of the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection, The Aphrodite, left for Italy last week after being disassembled in December. A former museum director said the delayed return of the sculpture was intended to help the Getty as
- [Getty Stands to Lose Not Just Marbles](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/getty-stands-to-lose-not-just-marbles/) - On May 4, 2012, Jason Felch, one of the co-authors of Chasing Aphrodite reported that "An Italian court has upheld an order for the seizure of a masterpiece of the J. Paul Getty Museum's antiquities collection, finding that the bronze statue of a victorious athlete was illegally exported from Italy before the museum purchased it for
- [US and UNESCO Rapprochement](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/us-and-unesco-rapprochement/) - In 2011, we brought to your attention the story entitled UNESCO saves US $60 million (for the arts) — Trick or Treat. Now, the US government is re-committing itself to the UNESCO mission and looking to restore relationships with this international cultural organization. One of the steps being taken is the lobby effort to change
- [UNESCO saves US $60 million (for the arts) -- Trick or Treat](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/unesco-saves-us-60-million-for-the-arts-trick-or-treat/) - Have you heard? On October 31, 2011, a day better known as Halloween, UNESCO or United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, announced its plans to admit Palestine as a member state. The vote that took place in favor of admitting Palestine triggering the US law barring funding to this UN body. As reported, "The
- [Owning Frida Kahlo: The Frida Kahlo Corporation and Trademark Law](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/owning-frida-kahlo-the-frida-kahlo-corporation-and-trademark-law/) - By Morgan Austrich In a society where any image can be easily reproduced and commodified, the work and likeness of an artist are no exception. On March 24, 2024, the Frida Kahlo Corporation (“FKC”) filed two lawsuits against Amazon vendors for trademark infringement.[1] In their primary complaint, FKC claimed the online merchants sold images and
- [Dispute over the Estate of Jack Tanzer Centers on Caravaggio Authentication](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/dispute-over-the-estate-of-jack-tanzer-centers-on-caravaggio-authentication/) - By Center for Art Law The battle rages on over the estate of Jack Tanzer and the authenticity of a painting that the now-deceased Upper East Side gallery owner was convinced was the work of Renaissance master Michelangelo Merisi da Caraggio. The current dispute arises from the tireless work of Tanzer to authenticate a painting
- [Poland's Famed Renaissance Masterpiece, Raphael's Portrait of a Young Man; Found After Half a Century](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/polands-famed-renaissance-masterpiece-raphaels-portrait-of-a-young-man-found-after-half-a-century/) - Poland's long-lost "Portrait of a Young Man," missing for over half a century and widely considered to be the most important painting missing since World War II, has been discovered in a bank vault in an undisclosed location. A spokesman for the country's Office for the Restitution of Cultural Goods, a division of the Ministry of Foreign
- [New US Transport Law Has Hidden Effects for Archaelogists](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/new-us-transport-law-has-hidden-effects-for-archaelogists/) - A recent transport law will make securing funding for projects more difficult for American archaeologists. On Friday, President Obama signed a major new transportation funding bill that extensively reworks and cuts "Transportation Enhancements Program" (TEP), a program that has been in place for 20 years that requires states to spend small portions of their federal
- [If Lap Dancing is Dancing and Dancing is Art...](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/if-lap-dancing-is-dancing-and-dancing-is-art/) - On September 5, 2012, as yours truly was sworn in to practice law, the New York State's Court of Appeals heard a case as to whether lap dancing constitutes a form of art. Attorney representing Nite Moves, a strip club in Latham, NY argued that the establishment should be exempt from paying sales taxes on the door
- [Court of Appeals Reverses Lower Court's Decision in Legal Battle Between Fashion Powerhouses](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/court-of-appeals-reverses-lower-courts-decision-in-legal-battle-between-fashion-powerhouses/) - In the case of Christian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent Am. Holding, Inc., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit announced yesterday, Wednesday, September 5, that it was partially reversing the District Court's ruling against Louboutin and that the French shoe designer is entitled to trademark protection for its iconic red heel, except
- [The NYC Art World Surveys Damage And Makes Predictions Following the Devastation Caused By Hurricane Sandy](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/the-nyc-art-world-surveys-damage-and-makes-predictions-following-the-devastation-caused-by-hurricane-sandy/) - In the wake of the unprecedented destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy earlier this week, the art dealers, gallerists, and museum professionals of New York City survey the damage done. From Chelsea to Greenpoint, and DUMBO to the Lower East Side, the art world is grappling with destroyed artworks and wrecked office and exhibition spaces. Art
- [Borrowing Art Made Easy, Maybe](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/borrowing-art-made-easy-maybe/) - The new Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act clarifying the 1965 Immunity from Seizure Act, 22 USCS § 2459, seems to take the old adage - Beg, borrow or steal - to heart where the interests of American museums, if not necessarily the American public, are concerned. No doubt, lives of curators in American
- [Family of Holocaust Survivor Ordered to Return Artifact Taken from German Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/family-of-holocaust-survivor-ordered-to-return-artifact-taken-from-german-museum/) - In a reversal of the typical story involving looted art and the Holocaust, a state appellate court in Brooklyn, New York has ordered the family of a Holocaust survivor to return an ancient gold tablet to a German museum. The artifact at the heart of the controversy is a 3,200-year-old Assyrian artifact, about the size
- [Question of Trust: Rediscovered Picasso to Sell](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/question-of-trust-rediscovered-picasso-to-sell/) - On August 14, 2012, the board of trustees of the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science in Indiana voted to sell a work by Pablo Picasso they did not know they had until recently. What would you do if you learned that one of the works in your storage was a Picasso? and a
- [Is Antiquities Collecting In or Out? It is "In" in Cleveland](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/is-antiquities-collecting-in-or-out-it-is-in-in-cleveland/) - Many experts and private individuals wish for collecting of antiquities to be a practice of the past, similar to smallpox. Heated disputes and "battles" over ownership of antiquities have been raging for decades resulting in canceled auctions, voluntary returns and forced repatriations of ceramics, marbles, bronzes etc. In recognition of the flawed acquisition practices of
- [A Question of Standards: The Recent Antiquities Acquisitions of the Cleveland Museum of Art](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/a-question-of-standards-the-recent-antiquities-acquisitions-of-the-cleveland-museum-of-art/) - The Cleveland Museum of Art's two new acquisitions highlight an ongoing debate within the art community about the standards employed by cultural institutions when acquiring artifacts with murky provenance. On Monday, August 13, museum director David Franklin announced that two new artifacts would be accessioned by the museum, currently in the midst of a massive
- [Legal Battle over 9/11 Relic](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/legal-battle-over-9-11-relic/) - A group of atheists, the American Atheists to be exact, represented by Edwin F. Kagin, brought a federal lawsuit against the National September 11 Memorial and Museum (the Museum) in opposition to the museum’s decision to display a giant cross-shaped steel beam that became a site of prayer during the work at ground zero in Downtown New York.
- [Authentication Committees Disappearing, are Auction Houses Next?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/authentication-committees-disappearing-are-auction-houses-next/) - Auction houses are unlikely to go by way of Authentication Boards, after all, selling works of art and valuable cultural objects is on average more lucrative than issuing scholarly opinions. Still auction houses are often in the center of legal disputes. For example, last month in New York, Federal agents moved to seize a thousand-year-old
- [News of Interest Around the World: Austria, Mexico, UK, Palestine, Egypt](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/news-of-interest-around-the-world-austria-mexico-uk-palestine-egypt/) - Austria-Mexico Treaty Could Facilitate Loan of Feathered Crown -- "The Austrian government has approved a bilateral pact with Mexico governing the loan of cultural artifacts, an agreement that could pave the way for a headdress believed to have been worn by Aztec ruler Montezuma II to be temporarily brought to the Latin American country. The
- [Footnote: Supreme Court Declines Review of Black Swan Case](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/footnote-supreme-court-declines-review-of-black-swan-case/) - On May 14, 2012, US Supreme Court made known that it had nothing to do about $500 million in silver and gold coins that Odyssey recovered from a Spanish warship in international waters. For more, if there is any, see: Legal News. h var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-31801490-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var
- [Q: What do Titanic and Picasso have in common?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/q-what-do-titanic-and-picasso-have-in-common/) - A: James Cameron! Last month, The Art Newspaper reported on a letter sent by the Artists Rights Society to James Cameron seeking compensation for the use of a Picasso's image in Cameron's 3D re-released "Titanic." The very same image of Picasso's1907 painting "Les Demoiselles d’Avignon" (a work that did not sink with the doomed
- [Protect Cultural Heritage This Summer!](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/protect-cultural-heritage-this-summer/) - One Houston lawyer, Joe Gutheinz, is on a mission. He decided to take up the quest to identify and find the missing moon rocks. The story goes as following: "Over 500 pieces of moon rocks, meteorites, and other space fragments were either stolen or have been missing since 1970, experts say. Now, a former NASA
- [Copyright Infringement in Beyonce's "Countdown"?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/copyright-infringement-in-beyonces-countdown/) - Beyonce's new music video for "Countdown" was instantly praised for its iconic pop-cultural references. One blog, The Hairpin, announced: "Bey channels Audrey Hepburn, Jennifer Beals, and Marcel Marceau (right?). Hypnotic." But a controversy over the video has arisen because Beyonce also channels Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. De Keersmaeker is a leading Belgian choreographer. The video
- [Resale Royalty: To Act Or Not To Act; US Copyright Office Issues Notice re Public Hearing](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/resale-royalty-to-act-or-not-to-act-us-copyright-office-issues-notice-re-public-hearing/) - By Irina Tarsis On March 29, 2013, the United States Copyright Office published a Federal Notice 78 FR 19326 announcing the upcoming Public Hearing or a Public Roundtable (the "Hearing") regarding the merits of implementing a Federal Resale Royalty Act in the United States. The Public Roundtable on resale royalty issues is a logical next step
- [Dealer in Ancient Coins Indicted for Tax Fraud](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/dealer-in-ancient-coins-indicted-for-tax-fraud/) - This past Tuesday, April 2, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced that a federal grand jury in Newark, New Jersey returned a three-count indictment charging a former Bergen County dealer in ancient coins with tax fraud. The dealer, Gantcho Zagorski, currently residing in Chicago, is a former resident of Hackensack and was charged with aiding
- [The Hopi Nation Attempts to Stop Paris Sale of Sacred Artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/the-hopi-nation-attempts-to-stop-paris-sale-of-sacred-artifacts/) - The Hopi People, a Native American nation residing in Arizona, have asked federal officials to assist them in stopping an auction of 70 sacred masks scheduled for this Friday, April 12, at the Neret-Minet auction house in Paris. The Hopi believe that the intricate masks and headdresses, which are adorned with horsehair, sheepskin, feathers, and
- [Is Bakalar v. Vavra Heading to the Supreme Court?](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/is-bakalar-v-vavra-heading-to-the-supreme-court/) - This year, the Supreme Court of the United States may (or may not) grant a writ to hear a case involving Nazi-era looted art for the first time in almost a decade. See Seven Year Saga of Bakalar v. Vavra Ends. On March 28, Counsel for Petitioners Milos Vavra and Leon Fisher submitted three questions to
- [Update: Amid Protests of the Hopi Nation and Supporters, Auction of Sacred Artifacts Proceeds in Paris](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-amid-protests-of-the-hopi-nation-and-supporters-auction-of-sacred-artifacts-proceeds-in-paris/) - By Ariel Friedman This piece is an update to last week's post: The Hopi Nation Attempts to Stop Paris Sale of Sacred Artifacts. Amid protests, the controversial auction of Hopi mask-like artifacts in Paris proceeded as planned, over objections of the Hopi people and the United States government. The dramatic days leading to the sale were
- [Part II: UNESCO Forced to Consider Street Art as Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/part-ii-unesco-forced-to-consider-street-art-as-cultural-heritage/) - By Center for Art Law. On March 27th, four sections of the East Side Gallery were destroyed to make way for a high-end construction project. Preservationists are calling on UNESCO to protect the remaining street art the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova is a strong believer that cultural heritage
- [Appropriate Standards in Appropriation Art? Cariou v. Prince Decision Garners Relief but Fails to Provide Substantive Guidance](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/appropriate-standards-in-appropriation-art-cariou-v-prince-decision-garners-relief-but-fails-to-provide-substantive-guidance/) - One of the most closely watched copyright cases in the legal and contemporary art worlds was settled last week. On Thursday, April 25, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the 2011 District Court decision, holding that contemporary artist Richard Prince's appropriation of 30 photographs from Patrick Cariou's book "Yes Rasta" for
- [UPDATE: Repatriation of Metropolitan Museum's Cambodian Art](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-repatriation-of-metropolitan-museums-cambodian-art/) - Following a visit to Cambodia six weeks ago by its General Counsel, Sharon Cott, and its Southeast Asian Curator, John Guy, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to return two monumental sculptures to Cambodia. The life-size sandstone sculptures, known as the Kneeling Attendants, have guarded the doorway to the Met’s Southeast Asian Galleries since
- [14 Years After Brooklyn Museum v. NYC: Mayoral Candidate Joe Lhota Says He Now Understands the First Amendment](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/14-years-after-brooklyn-museum-v-nyc-mayoral-candidate-joe-lhota-says-he-now-understands-the-first-amendment/) - Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota speaks out about his role in the 1999 Brooklyn Museum v. NYC fiasco. Joe Lhota, NYC mayoral hopeful, is facing tough questions about his involvement in the dispute between the Brooklyn Museum and the Guilani administration in 1999. As Deputy Mayor, Lhota spear-headed the campaign to close the Brooklyn Museum
- [Fair Use Fails Mr. Brainwash: Judicial Stance on Infringement and Appropriation Art Swings the Other Way](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fair-use-fails-mr-brainwash-judicial-stance-on-infringement-and-appropriation-art-swings-the-other-way/) - Hot on the heels of appropriation artist Richard Prince's victory in the Second Circuit (covered here two weeks ago), a Los Angeles federal court has returned a less favorable ruling for appropriation and street artist Thierry Guetta, better known as Mr. Brainwash. Last week, district court judge John A. Kronstadt ruled that seven of Guetta's works, based on photographer Dennis
- [Et tu, Poland?! Poland seeks return of 18 paintings taken by the Soviet Red Army in 1945](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/et-tu-poland-poland-seeks-return-of-18-paintings-taken-by-the-soviet-red-army-in-1945/) - 'Madonna and Child' by Lucas Cranach the Elder, sought by Poland for recovery from the Pushkin Museum. The Russian Federation should beware all Ides. This Ides of May, on May 15, 2013, Poland's Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bogdan Zdrojewski, broached the subject of recovering important art works from Russian museums. The works in
- [Even in the Opaque Art World, Taxes are Certain: Glafira Rosales/Gonzalez Indicted for Income Tax Evasion](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/even-in-the-opaque-art-world-taxes-are-certain-glafira-rosales-gonzalez-indicted-for-income-tax-evasion/) - Knoedler Gallery was a reputable art gallery, in existence for over 150 years. When it closed in 2011, accusations that it sold forgeries were just starting to mount. Art collectors are still steaming over purchases of suspect artworks. In fact, another case, according to the New York Times Reporter Patricia Cohen this one is No.6,
- [UPDATE: The Agence Frence-Presse Reports that the Paintings Stolen from the Kunsthal Museum were Burned](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-the-agence-frence-presse-reports-that-the-paintings-stolen-from-the-kunsthal-museum-were-burned/) - On May 29th, the Agence Frence-Presse (AFP) broke the news that the paintings from the Kunsthal Museum stolen on October 16 have been burned. The Romanian police are now examining the ashes found at the home of Olga Dogaru, the mother of one of the suspected thieves. Gabriela Neagu, spokeswoman for the Romanian prosecutor's office told the AFP,
- [UPDATE: Banksy's "Slave Labour" Mural Up for Auction Again](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-banksys-slave-labour-mural-up-for-auction-again/) - Former home to Banksy's "Slave Labour" in Wood Green, a suburb north of London. The street art remaining is anonymous. The controversial Banksy taken from the wall of a store in Wood Green in up for auction again by the Sincura Group in London. The stenciled spray paint mural disappeared in May 2012 and resurfaced
- [Fact and Fraud: Two Forgery Rings Discovered in France and Germany](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/fact-and-fraud-two-forgery-rings-discovered-in-france-and-germany/) - Wassily Kandinsky's Blauer Kreis No. 2. This week two forgery rings were discovered in France and Germany. Both cases required long investigations and police resources-- an increasing trend worldwide as both art crime and public interest is on the rise. When Lee Catterall wrote The Great Dali Art Fraud and Other Deceptions in 1992 she
- [Police Confiscate Pornographic Justin Bieber Collage in Australia](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/police-confiscate-pornographic-justin-bieber-collage-in-australia/) - Paul Yore, Are End of the World, 2013 installation at the Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts. The circumstances of Brooklyn v. NYC are revisited once again in Australia. The police confiscated a pornographic collage from the Linden Centre for Contemporary Art in Melbourne this week. The collage, titled Everything's F....ed, depicts a child with Justin Bieber's head urinating from a dildo.
- [Henry Moore Sculptures Worth $930,000 (£575,000) Rescued from Scrap Heap](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/henry-moore-sculptures-worth-930000-575000-rescued-from-scrap-heap/) - Henry Moore, Working Model for Sundial, 1965. In July, two Henry Moore sculptures were stolen from the grounds of the Henry Moore Foundation in Hetfordshire, UK. The pieces, Working Model for a Sundial and Upright Motive Number 7, were recovered at the beginning of the month when Liam Hughes and Jason Parker sold the sculptures
- [Antiquities Dealers Accused of Smuggling Indian Artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/antiquities-dealers-accused-of-smuggling-indian-artifacts/) - Subhash Kapoor operated "Art of the Past Gallery" on Madison Avenue from 1974 to 2011. In the summer of 2012, he was extradited to India, but he is facing legal charges on both continents on the allegations of looting Indian cultural artifacts worth millions of dollars. Objects that he illegally exported from Indian and imported into the
- [UPDATE: Turkey Tests the Waters by Using Human Rights Law to Reclaim Antiquities](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-turkey-tests-the-waters-by-using-human-rights-law-to-reclaim-antiquities/) - Under dispute: 350BC Mausoleum of Halicarnassus at the British Museum. Turkey is taking aggressive action once again. They are pressuring museums to return all antiquities removed from the country immediately. As discussed in the Center for Art Law's previous post, museums in the United States and Europe argue that Turkey is partaking in what they call "cultural
- [Change in Tides: Warhol Foundation Wins Suit Against Insurance Provider](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/change-in-tides-warhol-foundation-wins-suit-against-insurance-provider/) - The tides have turned for The Andy Warhol Foundation (the Foundation). On December 12, 2012, ArtInfo announced that the Foundation recovered $4.6 million plus interest from their insurer, the Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company (PIIC). Judge O. Peter Sherwood of the New York Supreme Court dismissed PIIC's petition for summary judgement and ordered the company to
- [The Recovery of a Henri Matisse is a Victory for the Art Loss Register and a Reminder that Art Theft is Increasing](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-recovery-of-a-henri-matisse-is-a-victory-for-the-art-loss-register-and-a-reminder-that-art-theft-is-increasing/) - Henri Matisse's Le Jardin recently recovered by the Art Loss Register. When Henri Matisse's Le Jardin was stolen from the Museum of Modern Art (Moderna Musset) in Stockholm on May 11, 1987 it was believed to be a total loss. The painting is now on its way home to Sweden after 25 years thanks to the Art
- [Of Brooklyn Museum, Colonel, and [Cy Pres]](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/of-brooklyn-museum-colonel-and-cy-pres/) - Once upon a time, the Brooklyn Museum was poised to be the largest art museum in the world. The building of the Brooklyn Museum, designed by McKim, Mead and White, opened in 1897, and the Museum received thousands of donations and bequests from affluent city residents and natives, including Colonel Michael Friedsam (1932 bequest)
- [Serra Threatens to Withdraw Work from the Broad Collection](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/serra-threatens-to-withdraw-work-from-the-broad-collection/) - Serra's installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011. The United States Destroys Art (1989) is on right. According to The Art Newspaper, Richard Serra is threatening to remove a piece from the Eli and Edythe Broad Collection. The issue boils down to dating. Richard Serra in front of one of his monolithic installations.
- [False Friends: Parisot Accused of False Authentications of Modigliani](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/false-friends-parisot-accused-of-false-authentications-of-modigliani/) - French word "paresseux"[pa ray seu]" does not mean 'parasite', it means 'lazy'. That's what we call a "false friend" in linguistics. In art history, "false friends" would aptly describes those scholars who provide false attribution and fraudulent certificates of authenticity, fail to comply with professional codes of conduct and take bribes. Amedeo Modigliani is one
- [Spotlight: Maryland Lawyers for the Arts](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-maryland-lawyers-for-the-arts/) - VLAs, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts organizations, exist in a number of states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and Maryland. Over the course of the next three months, Maryland VLA will host four Art Law Clinics to help "Right-Brain People with Left-Brain Support." The sessions will take place on February 23 and March
- [Destruction of Art as Crime Against Humanity?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/destruction-of-art-as-crime-against-humanity/) - "Crimes against humanity," decided by the International Criminal Court, include 'odious offenses' against human beings but not inanimate objects. The International Court of Justice may only hear disputes between states as parties to the dispute and usually those stemming from an international treaty or convention. There is no international forum to decide crimes against art
- [Right to Privacy v. Freedom of Expression in Case of "Peeping Tom" Photographer](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/right-to-privacy-v-freedom-of-expression-in-case-of-peeping-tom-photographer/) - A lawsuit arising from a recent photography exhibition at the Julie Saul Gallery in Chelsea, New York, pits the right to privacy against freedom of expression. According to the MailOnline, photographer Arne Svenson acquired a telephoto lens in 2012 and began taking pictures through the large windows of apartments opposite his loft in Tribeca. The exhibition of
- [Selling the Detroit Institute of Art Collection... What's the Big Deal?](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/selling-the-detroit-institute-of-art-collection-whats-the-big-deal/) - If you're searching out for something - Don't try so hard ... But if you fall and take a tumble - It won't be far The Detroit Masonic Temple is considered to be the world's largest Masonic Temple. Detroit is the largest city in Michigan, and economically both have fallen far. Detroit was founded in 1701,
- [Update: Free Speech Trumps Privacy in Case of “Peeping Tom” Photographer](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-free-speech-trumps-privacy-in-case-of-peeping-tom-photographer/) - In a remarkable decision, New York Supreme Court Justice Eileen Rakower dismissed a case against Arne Svenson, a photographer who took pictures of his Tribeca neighbors through the windows of their apartments and exhibited them in a Chelsea Gallery. (See Center for Art Law, July 21, 2013.) Martha and Matthew Foster, parents of two young children
- [Peter Paul Biro's Libel Case Against Conde Nast Dismissed](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/peter-paul-biros-libel-case-against-conde-nast-dismissed/) - This Thursday, on August 8, 2013, New York Federal Court Judge J. Paul Oetken dismissed Peter Paul Biro's libel case against Conde Nast and several other media parties. Biro brought a $2 million claim against Conde Nast after they published a 16,000 word article in The New Yorker about Biro, titled "The Mark of a Masterpiece: The
- [With Victory for Green Day, the West Coast Weighs In On the Fair Use Debate](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/with-victory-for-green-day-the-west-coast-weighs-in-on-the-fair-use-debate/) - Note: This story is being revised to include a comparison between this case and recent fair use ruling in appropriation art. For in depth coverage of this story, please see our post: Green Day Wins Fair Use Claim. * * * On August 8, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in California
- [Extra Extra! Courthouse News Reports on the 9th Circuit Doubleheader with Nazi-Plundered Art Appeals](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/extra-extra-courthouse-news-reports-on-the-9th-circuit-doubleheader-with-nazi-plundered-art-appeals/) - Writing for Courthouse News Report, Matt Reynolds presents details about two important cases on appeal - Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena, 592 F.3d 954, 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 1019 (9th Cir. Cal. 2010) and Cassirer v. Kingdom of Spain, 616 F.3d 1019, 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 16707 (9th Cir. Cal. 2010). On
- [After a Protracted Battle, Los Angeles Takes Final Steps to Lifting Ban on Murals](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/after-a-protracted-battle-los-angeles-takes-final-steps-to-lifting-ban-on-murals/) - Los Angeles’ decade long ban on murals is coming to a close. This past Wednesday, August 28, 2013, the Los Angeles City Council voted—in a 13-2 decision—to pass a new ordinance that would remove the city’s prohibition on large outdoor artworks. The ordinance creates several important innovations. It establishes a system whereby artists will pay a
- [Canada: Gaining Ground in Restituting World War II Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/canada-gaining-ground-in-restituting-world-war-ii-looted-art/) - On April 24, 2013, coinciding with Canada’s term as Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the Canadian Department of Heritage issued a press release on their website announcing that the federal government was pledging “funding of almost $200,000 that will enable the Canadian museums to contribute to a key international research effort on
- [UPDATE: Two New Guilty Pleas in Ongoing Helly Nahmad Gambling Ring Case](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-two-new-guilty-pleas-in-ongoing-helly-nahmad-gambling-ring-case/) - Justin Smith and Edwin Ting are the most recent to plead guilty in the government’s ongoing case against 34 defendants indicted for their alleged roles in an international gambling and money-laundering ring. The illicit operation purportedly stretched from the United States to Russia and catered to high rolling clientele including celebrities. Among the most famous
- [Glafira Rosales, Conspirator at the Center of the Knoedler Scandal, Takes Plea Bargain](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/glafira-rosales-conspirator-at-the-center-of-the-knoedler-scandal-takes-plea-bargain/) - On Tuesday, September 16, 2013, Glafira Rosales plead guilty to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. Rosales admitted that she sold more than 60 forged paintings to galleries, including fake works by Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Barnett Newman, Sam Francis and Franz Kline. One of those galleries was the Knoedler Gallery, which
- [Wallspace LLC Sues Insurance Company for Damages Sustained During Sandy](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/wallspace-llc-sues-insurance-company-for-damages-sustained-during-sandy/) - Hot on the heels of AXA Fine Art Insurance’s lawsuit against Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services filed last month, the Chelsea gallery Wallspace, LLC ("Wallspace") filed an action in New York state court last week to recover for claims from Schmutter, Strull, Fleisch, Inc. ("Schmutter"), which sold the gallery a fine arts policy but refused to cover the
- [Show Down in Marfa, Texas: Is Playboy Sign Art or Advertising?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/show-down-in-marfa-texas-is-playboy-sign-art-or-advertising/) - Earlier this year, Playboy Enterprises, Inc. acquired a 6,500 square foot plot of land on the outskirts of Marfa, Texas and in mid-June installed two roadside artworks. Designed by Neville Wakefield and Richard Phillips, the first is an homage to artist Donald Judd (who previously lived in the area), consisting of a muscle car perched
- [Case Review: Janney-Pace v. Metropolitan Fine Arts & Antiques](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-preview-janney-pace-v-metropolitan-fine-arts-antiques/) - By Joshua Greenfield According to the facts alleged in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court (SDNY)[1] on Sept. 27, 2013, an elderly Ohio woman was defrauded of more than $1 million by the Metropolitan Fine Arts & Antiques store located in New York City on West 57th St. between 5th and 6th Ave.
- [Save the Date: Morel v. Agence France Presse and Getty Images Trial Starts November 13, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/save-the-date-morel-v-agence-france-presse-and-getty-images-trial-starts-november-13-2013/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. On January 12, 2010, earthquake devastated Haiti. Photojournalist Daniel Morel, a Haiti native took photographs and posted them on Twitpic, a service that allows posting and sharing images and videos on Twitter. The images were picked up by an Agence France Presse (AFP) editor and distributed through AFP's channels and through
- [Fake Hirst on eBay Real Hirst in Doha](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/fake-hirst-on-ebay-real-hirst-in-doha/) - Two California gallery owners were arrested on Oct 2, 2013 for allegedly selling fraudulent Damien Hirst pieces online through eBay and various auction houses. (Damien Hirst is a world-famous English artist associated with the Young British Artists movement and is known for his controversial paintings, sculptures and large-scale installations).[1] The two men, Vincent Lopreto and Ronald
- [In Selling Antiquties Bad Provenance Tarnishes Good Character](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/in-selling-antiquties-bad-provenance-tarnishes-good-character/) - On August 20, 2013, Neil Kingsbury of London pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud for making false representations about the provenance of thirteen Egyptian antiquities he had sold or offered for sale at Christie’s and Bonhams. He pleaded not guilty to a fourth charge of possession of stolen property: a fragment of a red
- [Update: Vatican Suppresses Photos of Gay Men Kissing](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-vatican-suppresses-photos-of-gay-men-kissing/) - Following the threat of legal action against an art gallery by the Vicariate of Rome over an exhibition that included photos of gay men kissing in churches, vandals raided the gallery and spray-painted three works on display. (See Despite Papal Declarations of Tolerance, Vatican Suppresses Photos of Gay Men Kissing.) According to L’Opera gallery assistant Martina Adami,
- [Untitled but taxable: Face-off between the IRS and the Basquiat heirs](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/untitled-but-taxable-face-off-between-the-irs-and-the-basquiat-heirs/) - JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, "SANS TITRE," Est. value ($500,000-800,000) -- to be auctioned by Christie's Paris, Dec. 2013. For those attending the 2013 National Conference of the Appraisers Association of America, in New York last week (Nov. 8-10), that Basquiat surviving sisters are suing the IRS rings familiar. After all, the conference organizers built in a lot of IRS material
- [Case Review: Meyer v. Bd. of Regents of the U. of Oklahoma, or How long will Oklahoma herd Pissarro "Sheep"?](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-preview-meyer-v-bd-of-regents-of-the-u-of-oklahoma-or-how-long-will-oklahoma-herd-pissarro-sheep/) - On Nov. 22, 2013, New York Country Lawyers' Association held its 6th Annual Art Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Institute. Raymond Dowd, partner with Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller LLP presented an impassioned keynote address entitled "Ethics and Nazi Looted Art, which he began by decrying the headline of a recent The New York Times article
- [AI and Artists’ IP: Exploring Copyright Infringement Allegations in Andersen v. Stability AI Ltd.](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artificial-intelligence-and-artists-intellectual-property-unpacking-copyright-infringement-allegations-in-andersen-v-stability-ai-ltd/) - By Sophia Williams “We’ve filed a lawsuit challenging AI image generators for using artists’ work without consent, credit, or compensation. Because AI needs to be fair & ethical for everyone.”[1] – ‘Stable Diffusion Litigation’ (website created by attorneys on behalf of the artists) “If a work is transformative…then it's not a violation of copyright and
- [Legal Protection of the Tangible Cultural Heritage in Slovenia](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/legal-protection-of-the-tangible-cultural-heritage-in-slovenia/) - By Žan Berro Slovenia is a small country of around 2 million people at the crossroads of the Balkans and Central Europe.[1] It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Croatia to the south, Adriatic Sea to the south-west and Hungary to the north-east.[2] In 1991, Slovenia gained independence from Yugoslavia and joined
- [Art As Investment: Buyer beware](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-as-investment-buyer-beware/) - On April 4, 2012, Cardozo School of Law witnessed a confluence of lawyers, art advisers, academics, auctioneers, gallery employees, art and law students eager to learn about trends in the art market and the risks and return of art as investment. Panel entitled Art as Investment was an exciting and well-attended event because it dealt
- [Suitable for Suing -- Good one](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/suitable-for-suing-good-one/) - To learn how a 55-years old art dealer, Glafira Rosales, brought down the oldest art gallery in New York, read The New York Times article by Patricia Cohen.
- [Museum of the History of the Olympic Games Looted](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/museum-of-the-history-of-the-olympic-games-looted/) - What would prompt a Culture Minister to resign in Greece? Looting of a museum. On February 17, two armed robbers knocked out the alarm, overpowered a sole guard, and stole more than 60 artifacts from a museum dedicated to the ancient Olympic Games. This was a second theft from a Greek cultural institutions in a
- [EASL/NYFA offer Pro Bono Assistance to Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/easl-nyfa-offer-pro-bono-assistance-to-artists/) - The Entertainment, Arts and Sports Section (EASL) of the New York State Bar Association has a Pro Bono Committee. Artists who need legal advice but cannot afford representation are invited to come to the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Clinic in Brooklyn on May 15th and avail themselves of free legal advice
- [Tulane Expands Study Abroad Programs in Art and Cultural Heritage Law](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/tulane-expands-study-abroad-programs-in-art-and-cultural-heritage-law/) - Studying abroad has long provided law students with opportunities to engage with other cultures and to explore international issues by interacting with scholars and locals alike. Tulane University School of Law has recently expanded its Study Abroad initiatives with two exciting and innovative programs. The first is in Siena, Italy. Founded as a collaboration
- [Marc Jancou Files $26 Million Suit Against Cady Nowland and Sotheby's](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/marc-jancou-files-26-million-suit-against-cady-nowland-and-sothebys/) - New York City art dealer Marc Jancou has filed a lawsuit against both Sotheby's and the artist Cady Noland, arising from a consignment Jancou made to Sotheby's of Noland's Cowboys Milking (1990). One day prior to the sale in which the painting was scheduled to sell, the auction house withdrew it without explanation. This withdrawal
- [Has Reality TV Gone Too Far? Spike TV's American Diggers Angers the Archaeological Community](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/has-reality-tv-gone-too-far-spike-tvs-american-diggers-angers-the-archaeological-community/) - By Ariel Greenberg Living up to its moniker, Spike TV's new show American Digger has indeed 'spiked' quite the controversy. Set to air in March, the show, which resembles the National Geographic Channel's Diggers, features former pro-wrestler Ric Savage as host and his team digging up "target-rich" historic battlefields and archaeological sites in search of
- [Shepard Fairey Pleads Guilty to Criminal Contempt](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/shepard-fairey-pleads-guilty-to-criminal-contempt/) - Another installment in the protracted legal saga surrounding Shepard Fairey occurred last week in New York Federal District Court. The Los Angeles artist pled guilty to criminal contempt for concealing and destroying evidence during the lawsuit between Fairey and the Associated Press. The suit centered on Fairey’s alleged infringement of the AP’s copyrighted photograph of
- [Czech Artist Jailed for Refusal to Pay Fines for Subversive Public Art Project](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/czech-artist-jailed-for-refusal-to-pay-fines-for-subversive-public-art-project/) - In an act that has angered many, Czech artist Roman Tyc has been jailed for refusing to pay fines in relation to his controversial public art work Semaphores. In 2007, Tyc used stencils to replace the green and red signals on 50 streetlights at major intersections in several cities with sardonic images, such as a
- [Jerusalem Court Spares Palestinian Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/jerusalem-court-spares-palestinian-heritage/) - A Palestinian village of Lifta was one of about 400 historic Arab towns and villages recorded in Biblical times and in use before 1948. A mosque and dozens of stone homes, vacant since1948, were threatened by property developers who wished to demolish the historic site. A court in Jerusalem on February 6, 2012, ruled against
- [Collector v. Photographer on Dilution and Creative Rights](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/collector-v-photographer-on-dilution-and-creative-rights/) - On April 3, 2012, a New York collector, Jonathan Sobel, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Mr. Eggleston, a Memphis photographer, alleging "that the artist's recent decision to print and sell oversized versions of some of his famous images in a Christie's auction has diluted the rarity—and therefore the resale value—of the originals."
- [Derivative Work -- Art as Investment Inflation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/derivative-work-art-as-investment-inflation/) - On May 15, 2012, Artvest presented a program entitled "Art as an Investment: The Fundamentals." Speakers' list included: Michael Plummer, Principal, Artvest Partners LLC Jeff Rabin, Principal, Artvest Partners LLC Thomas Galbraith, artnet, Director of Analytics – Art market analysis & reporting Michelle Bergeron Spell, Herrick, Feinstein LLP, Partner – Trusts & estate planning for
- [Centennial of Titantic's Sinking Begs Questions about Regulating Recovery of Underwater Relics](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/centennial-of-titantics-sinking-begs-questions-about-regulating-recovery-of-underwater-relics/) - This Sunday, April 15, will mark the 100-year-anniversary of the tragic sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean to its resting place, 4,000m off the coast of Newfoundland. The centennial qualifies the underwater site for protection under the 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. The
- [Failed-Artist-Turned-Forger Sentenced to Two Years in Prison](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/failed-artist-turned-forger-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison/) - William "Billy" Mumford, master counterfeiter extraordinaire, has been found guilty of forging up to 1,000 paintings and was sentenced to two years in jail at Southwark Crown Court for conspiracy to defraud. Mumford will likely go down as one of Britain's most prolific forgers. Working from a small bedroom in a rented house, Mumford created an average
- [Gangsters with Taste: Robert Gentile and the Notorious 1990 Boston Art Heist](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/gangsters-with-taste-robert-gentile-and-the-notorious-1990-boston-art-heist/) - Reputed mobster Robert Gentile was denied bail in federal court yesterday, partly in the hopes that he may have information about one of the 20th century's most infamous art heists. Gentile was being held in a Rhode Island prison for selling prescription drugs. At a hearing in U.S. District Court in Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday,
- [Derek Fincham interviews Legal Counsel in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands](https://itsartlaw.org/interview/derek-fincham-interviews-legal-counsel-in-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-kingdom-of-the-netherlands/) - Nout van Woudenberg is an author of the newly published volume entitled "State Immunity and Cultural Objects on Loan." He was recently interviewed by Derek Fincham, who reports that immunizing art from potential suit is an important but criticized step which assures lenders that their property is safe from seizure and will be returned post
- [Court Allows Ai Weiwei Tax Lawsuit](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/court-allows-ai-weiwei-tax-lawsuit/) - The Associated Press reported that "Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei will challenge the 2.4 million dollar tax bill levied on him by is government. He would put up over half of the total amount (8.5 million Yuan) as collateral to begin legal proceedings, which could drag for a year." Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei
- [Knoedler Under Attack: The Diebenkorn Chapter](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/knoedler-under-attack-the-diebenkorn-chapter/) - The closing of Knoedler & Company gallery sent a ripple through the art market, which will take years to settle. One of the players in the fight against the gallery and its former president, Ann Freedman, is the Diebenkorn clan, which is trying to build a case using events dating back to 1993, when the
- [Love goes to War -- Monaco Collector Sues Robert Indiana](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/love-goes-to-war-monaco-collector-sues-robert-indiana/) - Robert Indiana is known for his "Love" sculpture. Now, he is also becoming known as a defendant in a breach of contract case brought by Joao Tovar, a Monaco collector with sculptures that Indiana renounced. Tovar purchased ten works attributed to Indiana with certificates of authenticity (as every savvy collector should these days collecting works
- [Censorship at the Kiev Biennale: "Apocalypse and Renaissance at the Chocolate House" Closes Its Doors](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/censorship-at-the-kiev-biennale-apocalypse-and-renaissance-at-the-chocolate-house-closes-its-doors/) - Rumors have circulated that one of the current Kiev Biennale's events, "Apocalypse and Renaissance at the Chocolate House," was torn down on government orders. Officially, the decision to close the exhibition came from the Chocolate House--which is owned by the Kiev National Museum of Russian Art. However, it is believed that the Ukrainian National Expert Committee
- [Disputed Greek Art: First Water Diamonds or Forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/disputed-greek-art-first-water-diamonds-or-forgeries/) - In March 2011, when the Greek economic situation was emerging as an everyday topic and concern for the European Union, the Art Newspaper reported on a legal case filed in Athens by a Greek collector alleging paintings he purchased from Sotheby's were fakes. The collector, Diamantis Diamantides, purchased works by Constantin Parthenis in 2006 and
- [Sotheby's Takes Action Against Cambodian Property Claim](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/sothebys-takes-action-against-cambodian-property-claim/) - United States Attorney's office is seeking forfeiture of a 10th-century Cambodian statute consigned to Sotheby's for auction by Mrs. Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa of Belgium. Auction house intended to sell the work in March 2012, but the lot was pulled from the sale following Cambodian complaint regarding its provenance. The sandstone statue valued between $2
- [O'Keeffe Collection Sale Approved](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/okeeffe-collection-sale-approved/) - The Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the decision allowing Fisk University to sell a stake in their 101-piece art collection donated by Georgia O'Keeffe. The lucky buyer-to-be is the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark. How did a historically black institution in Nashville obtain the $60 million collection? The story dates back to 1949, when O'Keefe
- ["Legal Basics for Artists" In Brooklyn](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/legal-basics-for-artists-in-brooklyn/) - On June 1, 2012, New York State Bar Associations Entertainment Arts and Sports Law Section (EASL) presented an art law panel at the Bushwick's Open Studio in Brooklyn. Carol Steinberg, member of the EASL's Pro Bono Steering Committee, participated and wrote about the event. Her post is found on EASL's website and is reprinted here
- [UNESCO Adds Twenty-Six New Sites to its World Heritage List](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/unesco-adds-twenty-six-new-sites-to-its-world-heritage-list/) - After a two-week meeting in Russia, UNESCO announced that twenty-six new sites are being added to its World Heritage List, including first-time entries from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Arab states. The committee met in St. Petersburg from June 24 to July 6. It added five sites to its "natural"
- [Financial Crisis Leads Many European Nations to Consider Commercial Measures to Secure Restoration Funds](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/financial-crisis-leads-many-european-nations-to-consider-commercial-measures-to-secure-restoration-funds/) - In the wake of extreme financial pressures, the local Venetian government has made a painful and somewhat desperate decision; it will put the Palazzo Manfrin--one of the floating city's most magnificent palaces--up for sale for $20.5 million. The 17th century five-story home, widely considered one of the city's most important architectural sites, which also once boasted
- [Barnes Foundation Hit With New Lawsuit after Former Barnes CEO Admits that Foundation Not Fully Bankrupt](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/barnes-foundation-hit-with-new-lawsuit-after-former-barnes-ceo-admits-that-foundation-not-fully-bankrupt/) - The Friends of the Barnes Foundation have filed a new petition to Pennsylvania's Superior Court on Monday, following the public admission of former Barnes CEO Kimberly Camp that "bankruptcy was not the reason" for the relocation. Camp wrote on her blog: "The Barnes has always belonged in Merion. Its circumstance required its relocation. That circumstance
- [Brussels Advocates for Stricter Money-laundering Rules](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/brussels-advocates-for-stricter-money-laundering-rules/) - Art Market is notoriously opaque. Only the tip of the iceberg is visible as far as transactions and deals are concerned. In an effort to regulate the art market, Belgium is considering changes to money-laundering legislation, which could mean that art galleries will need to register as “high-value dealers” and comply with stricter guidelines when accepting cash from
- [London Decision on Authenticity of a Russian Painting](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/london-decision-on-authenticity-of-a-russian-painting/) - Lessons learned from London in July include: 1. A politician, when asked whether a city is ready to host Olympic games two days before the opening ceremony, should just say "yes." 2. A judge, when asked if a multi-million dollar painting is authentic, should balance probabilities (which is effectively tossing a coin). "We are holding
- [Homeland Security Investigations returns School of Rubens to Germany](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/homeland-security-investigations-returns-school-of-rubens-to-germany/) - Sanssouci means "without a care." Museums are rarely that, particularly those with missing art works. The Potsdam Sanssouci Museum had art work stolen during World War II. One of these missing pieces was consigned for sale to an auction house in 2010. Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- [How to Remove the Curse of the Outcast Artifact](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/how-to-remove-the-curse-of-the-outcast-artifact/) - Last week NY Times ran a story about collectors who bought antiquities in good faith and got stock between a rock and a hard place, unable to return their purchases to the market place. It was entitled "The Curse of the Outcast Artifact." Those who did not think to ask about provenance of the beautiful foreign
- [New Publications of Interest](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/new-publications-of-interest/) - TAKING IT PERSONALLY: THE INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY OF MUSEUM PERSONNEL edited by Ruth Redmond-Cooper and Norman Palmer ISBN: 9781903987254 - November 2011 Art litigation is an inventive field and nowhere are its claimants more resourceful than in the search for new defendants and heads of claim. This collection of essays explores an initiative that has begun
- [New York's Southern District Court Rules that Artworks Consigned to Galleries May Be Reached By Creditors](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/new-yorks-southern-district-court-rules-that-artworks-consigned-to-galleries-may-be-reached-by-creditors/) - Last Tuesday, July 10, federal district judge Cathy Seibel ruled that New York state law may permit a bankrupt art gallery to sell an artwork to benefit its creditors, even if the piece was provided by a consignor. As a result of this ruling, "Madonna and Child" (c. 1500)--a painting attributed to Sandro Botticelli valued at $9.5 million--may
- [Cease-and-Desist Letter Instead of Jitters](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cease-and-desist-letter-instead-of-jitters/) - David Adjmi, a professional playwright, wrote "3C" that was produced off Broadway. His modest annual income, excluding royalties, from theater commissions and grants was reported between $25,000 and $50,000. It was a parody of a TV series "Three's Company" about a man pretending to be gay living with two female roommates. Copyright owner of "Three's
- [A Question of Valuation: IRS to Face Off With the Heirs of Ileana Sonnabend](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-question-of-valuation-irs-to-face-off-with-the-heirs-of-ileana-sonnabend/) - The heirs of famed art collector Ileana Sonnabend and representatives of the Internal Revenue Service will meet in Washington tax court next month to resolve whether the $29 million tax penalty will in fact be paid on Robert Rauschenberg's "Canyon"--an artwork inherited from Sonnabend's extensive collection. The issue will ultimately turn on a question of
- [Historic Cemetery Vandalized in Brooklyn, NY](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/historic-cemetery-vandalized-in-brooklyn-ny/) - Dozens of tombstones and memorials have been vandalized at the Brooklyn's historic cemetery the week of August 19, 2012, resulting in approximately $100,000 damages. According to the groundskeepers of the 19th-century Green-Wood Cemetery, more than 50 gravestones, plaques and statutes have been knocked down. Since its opening in 1838 it has never suffered destruction of
- [Federal Prosecutors File Court Papers in Case For Repatriation of Cambodian Statue](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/federal-prosecutors-file-court-papers-in-case-for-repatriation-of-cambodian-statue/) - A new development occurred this week in the fight over a priceless Cambodian statue. This past Monday, August 27, federal prosecutors filed court papers on behalf of Cambodia accusing Sotheby's of knowing that the 10th century work--which was to be sold at auction in New York City--"was an important piece of cultural property that had
- [Russian Judicial Decision on "Pussy Riot" a Riot](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/russian-judicial-decision-on-pussy-riot-a-riot/) - On August 22, 2012, Russia was to join the World Trade Organization (the WTO) after almost two decades of negotiations and failed attempts. It was considered the last major economy to be left out of the WTO but the U.S. Congress was not rushing to pass permanent normal trade relations with Russia. For once, I
- [Art Theft in the Netherlands Raises Concerns About Museum Security](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-theft-in-the-netherlands-raises-concerns-about-museum-security/) - Last Tuesday, October 16, thieves made away with seven borrowed paintings from the Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam, including works by Picasso, Monet, Gauguin, Matisse, and Lucian Freud. The artworks were part of a collection amassed by Willem Cordia, who died in 2011, and were put on exhibit only last week at the Kunsthal, which does
- [The Tale of a $7.00 Renoir Demonstrates the Surprises and Difficulties of Determining Good Title in the Art World](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-tale-of-a-7-00-renoir-demonstrates-the-surprises-and-difficulties-of-determining-good-title-in-the-art-world/) - A small painting purchased for $7.00 at the Harpers Ferry Flea Market in Virginia may turn out to be a work of the Impressionist master Pierre Auguste Renoir stolen from the Baltimore Museum of Art over sixty years ago. "Paysage Bords de Seine," which measures 5.5 by 9 inches and whose estimated value is now over
- [Ownership of Henry Moore's Sculpture Contested](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ownership-of-henry-moores-sculpture-contested/) - Tower Hamlets is one of the less well-to-to London boroughs. Until recently, it was planning to auction off a Henry Moore sculpture of "Draped Seated Woman," with an estimated value of about $32 million to reduce its deficit over the next few years. The sculpture is on display at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in
- [Rothko Defaced at the Tate Modern: Vandal Accepts Responsibility But Denies Crime](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/rothko-defaced-at-the-tate-modern-vandal-accepts-responsibility-but-denies-crime/) - On October 7th Vladimir Umanets defaced Rothko's Black on Maroon, one of the Seagram Murals at the Tate Modern. He wrote a message to the art world declaring, "Vladimir Umanets A Potential Piece of Yellowism" in black paint. Umanets claims that the vandalism was an expression of his own belief in Yellowism-- an art movement
- ["The Economist" on Collectors, Artists and Lawyers](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-economist-on-collectors-artists-and-lawyers/) - Art foundations and authentication commissions are spooked by the increasingly litigious art collectors. Last month The Economist ran a piece entitled "Fear of litigation is hobbling the art market" pertaining to threat of litigation which looms over authentication scholarship. According to the article, the Richard Diebenkorn Foundation in California received at least three threatening letters from art collectors who's pictures
- [Continued Production and Sale of Post-Mortem Salvador Dali Bronzes Violates Copyrights and Trademarks](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/continued-production-and-sale-of-post-mortem-salvador-dali-bronzes-violates-copyrights-and-trademarks/) - The Salvador Dali "brand" is constantly being tested. In June the Gala-Salvadora Dali Foundation won its battle against the Museo Dali Escaultor-- which was promoting itself as the official Dali museum. Following a three year battle, the Barcelona court stated that the Museo was "misusing the Dali 'brand' and deliberately misleading consumers into thinking it
- [Turkey Battles Museums for Return of Antiquities Following Arab Spring](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/turkey-battles-museums-for-return-of-antiquities-following-arab-spring/) - Orpheus mosaic from the 2nd Century AD repatriated by the Dallas Museum of Art to Turkey December 5th. Since the Arab Spring the new Turkish government is taking aggressive measures against American and European museums by demanding the return of antiquities. In the renewed search for a national identity, Turkey is embarking on what some museums
- [Are Iranian Sanctions Beneficial to Contemporary Art: When the Little Man Becomes the Big Man](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/are-iranian-sanctions-beneficial-to-contemporary-art-when-the-little-man-becomes-the-big-man/) - Shadi Ghadirian, "Untitled," 2000-2001. Now represented by the Saatchi Gallery. In the midst of international sanctions, social and political upheaval, and a failing economy, contemporary art in Iran in flourishing. The cause of this surge is multi-dimensional. In a country where it is estimated that half the population is under 25, modern young people are
- [Jasper Johns' "Tantric Detail" Paintings Held Hostage and Subject of Suit](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/jasper-johns-tantric-detail-paintings-held-hostage-and-subject-of-suit/) - Who is Who In Kravis & Kravis v. Bryant Henry Kravis -- billionaire businessman, co-founder of New York-based private equity firm KKR & Co; Marie-Josée Kravis -- his wife, president of the Museum of Modern Art board of trustees; Donald L. Bryant Jr. -- art collector, founder and chairman emeritus of the Bryant Group, a
- [Three Suspects Arrested in Relation to the Kunsthal Museum Theft, Yet Paintings Remain MIA](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/three-suspects-arrested-in-relation-to-the-kunsthal-museum-theft-yet-paintings-remain-mia/) - Empty wall space where Matisse's "La Liseuse en Blanc et Jaune" once hung in the Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam. Source: The Star. On January 22, Romanian police arrested three suspects believed to be involved with Rotterdam's Kunsthal Museum theft. Although the men are now in custody, the stolen paintings remain missing. On October 16, 2012,
- [Pragmatic not Sympathetic US rejects ADR forum for Nazi looted art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/pragmatic-not-sympathetic-us-rejects-adr-forum-for-nazi-looted-art/) - Three special envoys for Holocaust issues later and 14 years after the adoption of the Washington Principles on Nazi Confiscated Art, the promise of a U.S. COMMISSION ON ART DISPLACED DURING 1933-1945 is no more. On November 27, 2012, at the International Symposium on Alternatives to Litigation in Nazi-Looted Art Disputes (the "Symposium"), Douglas Davidson, the
- [New Declaration Proposed for Saving Cultural Property](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/new-declaration-proposed-for-saving-cultural-property/) - During the Seventh World Archaeological Congress held in Jordan last week, January 13-18, 2013, Professors Friedrich T. Schipper (University of Vienna) and Patty Gerstenblith (DePaul University, Chicago) organized a program entitled "Archaeology as a Target." It focused on the recent and ongoing efforts concerning the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict
- [Rauschenberg Foundation Fights Fees from Trustees](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/rauschenberg-foundation-fights-fees-from-trustees/) - Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) appointed three close friends as trustees to manage his multi-million dollar estate and protect the interest of his eponymous charitable foundation. The three trustees are Bill Goldston, artist's business partner since the late 1960s, Bennet Grutman, Rauschenberg's accountant since 1989, and Darryl Pottorf, Rauschenberg's companion and assistant since the 1970s. Currently the Foundation
- [Lawsuit Against Christie’s Over Piatigorsky Collection Highlights the Ongoing Struggle to Recover and Reform Practices After Sandy Devastation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lawsuit-against-christies-over-piatigorsky-collection-highlights-the-ongoing-struggle-to-recover-and-reform-practices-after-sandy-devastation/) - Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS), wholly owned subsidiary of Christie’s auction house, has been hit with a damning lawsuit in New York State‘s Supreme Court. CFASS is being sued for $1.5 million on claims of gross negligence, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract arising from damage sustained by the Gregor and Jacqueline Piatigorsky art
- [Six Syrian Sites Added to UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/six-syrian-sites-added-to-unescos-list-of-world-heritage-in-danger/) - The World Heritage Committee has placed six sites in Syria on the UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger in an effort to draw attention to the destructive effects of ongoing civil war on famed landmarks and ancient sites. Currently holding its 37th session in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap-Angkor, the committee revealed in a press
- [Update: California Court Dismisses Suit Against Sotheby's for Non-Disclosure of Nazi Connection](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/update-california-court-dismisses-suit-against-sothebys-for-non-disclosure-of-nazi-connection/) - By Dan Arnheim The Art Newspaper reports that a California federal court this week dismissed a lawsuit brought by a collector against Sotheby's for failing to disclose that a painting he bought at auction in London in 2004 was once owned by the Nazi war criminal Hermann Goering. Goering's ownership came to light when the
- [Is Cariou v. Prince Headed to the Supreme Court?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/is-cariou-v-prince-headed-to-the-supreme-court/) - Photographer Patrick Cariou is expected to file an appeal with the Supreme Court within the next three months in the next installment of the closely watched copyright infringement case, Cariou v. Prince. In a disappointing result for the photographer in April, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the 2011 District
- [UPDATE: Warhol Foundation Wins $6.6 Million Insurance Payment After Six Years](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/update-warhol-foundation-wins-6-6-million-insurance-payment-after-six-years/) - The Andy Warhol Foundation and the Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company (PIIC) have reached a settlement favorable to the Foundation. According to the Foundation's press release, the PIIC will pay back the "lion's share" owed, estimated to be $6.6 million. The Foundation bought a Directors and Officers Protection Flexi Plus Insurance Policy (D&O Policy) from the PIIC in
- [Lift on Ban for Posthumous Dan Flavin Sculptures Raises Questions As To The Artist's True Wishes And The Effect On The Present Market For His Works](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lift-on-ban-for-posthumous-dan-flavin-sculptures-raises-questions-as-to-the-artists-true-wishes-and-the-effect-on-the-present-market-for-his-works/) - The estate of Dan Flavin, contemporary artist known for his florescent light sculptures, has reversed its position on the production of posthumous versions of the artist's fluorescent light sculptures. Until 2007, the estate did not manufacture unrealized editions. Flavin's process for creating works has directly impacted the way the market functions for them. He generally conceived
- [Order of Business At Auction, Red Flag or Paddle?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/order-of-business-at-auction-red-flag-or-paddle/) - Steven Brooks, a collector of Old Masters, says that a painting he bought from Sotheby’s for £57,600 in 2004 (about $90,000 today) is worthless because it was once owned by the war criminal Hermann Goering, and might have been looted by the Nazis. The painting, Allegorical Portrait of a Lady as Diana Wounded by Cupid,
- [National Museum of Ukrainian Folk Art Plans to Take Action over Marimekko Infringement of Folk Artist's Work](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/national-museum-of-ukrainian-folk-art-plans-to-take-action-over-marimekko-infringement-of-folk-artists-work/) - Last week, the National Museum of Ukrainian Folk Art announced it plans to sue Marimekko, Finnish clothing and home furnishing company, for plagiarizing a design taken from Ukrainian folk artist Maria Primachenko. Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported that a pattern Marimekko used in 2007 was almost identical to a 1963 print, Metsanvaki ("Forest Dwellers"), by the late artist. Marimekko has been
- [Museums Increasingly Face Copyright Issues](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/museums-increasingly-face-copyright-issues/) - Rijksmuseum makes waves by allowing photography in all its galleries and high resolution images on their website. When the Rijksmuseum opened its doors last month the public was allowed to photograph any work in their collection for the first time. Camera flashes mark a change in museum policy forever. The Rijksmuseum's website now features a
- [Update: Helly Nahmad Keeps a Low Profile In the Weeks Following the Indictments](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-helly-nahmad-keeps-a-low-profile-in-the-weeks-following-the-indictments/) - What effect does a scandal involving an international money-laundering and gambling scheme stretching across the globe have on a high-profile Manhattan gallery? Helly Nahmad has been quietly minimizing operations at the Helly Nahmad Gallery, following the recent raid on his gallery and indictment (reported here last month). On April 16, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara brought charges
- [Ownership of a Mahler Photograph in Dispute](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/ownership-of-a-mahler-photograph-in-dispute/) - The first one she married was Mahler, Whose buddies all knew him as Gustav. And each time he saw her he'd holler: "Ach, that is the fraulein I moost have!" Tom Lehrer, "Alma" (1965) Who: Cliff Fraser, 35 What: found a photograph Where: in the boiler room of his grandmothers' basement Where: in Los Angeles
- [Guardianship of Zao Wou-ki's Estate in Dispute](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/guardianship-of-zao-wou-kis-estate-in-dispute/) - Chinese-born, French-naturalized artist Zao Wou-ki died on April 9 2013 in Switzerland. Less than one months later, his family members, his third wife Françoise Marquet and his son from the first marriage Jia Ling Zhao, are already fighting over control of his art and estate. Specifically, they are seeking guardianship of his unsold paintings, estimated worth
- [Attorney's Appeal for Intervention Against Museums Addicted to Nazi Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/attorneys-appeal-for-intervention-against-museums-addicted-to-nazi-looted-art/) - In an article with a cheeky title and a noble purpose, Raymond J. Dowd, Partner with Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP argues that the procedural or "technical" defenses, such as the statute of limitation or laches, should not be available in disputes involving art looted during World War II. He specifically targets art works of
- [Federal Court Judge Rules That "$7.00" Renoir May Return to Baltimore Museum of Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/federal-court-judge-rules-that-7-00-renoir-may-return-to-baltimore-museum-of-art/) - The curious tale of the “miracle” $7.00 Renoir is at an end—at least for now. On January 10, 2014, , ending a year-long ownership dispute, U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia judge Leonie M. Brinkema granted a summary judgment motion in favor of the Baltimore Museum of Art (the “Museum” or the
- [Sotheby’s to auction restituted Pissarro's "Boulevard Montmartre"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/sothebys-to-auction-restituted-pissarros-boulevard-montmartre/) - By Sarah Gordon, Esq. On February 5, 2014, Sotheby’s London will auction Camille Pissarro’s Boulevard Montmartre, matinee de printempts (Boulevard Montmartre), formerly in the Silberberg collection. In 1935, German Jewish industrialist and world-renowned art collector, Max Silberberg, was forced to sell this painting at auction in Berlin. In 1999, his daughter-in-law and sole heir, Gerta Silberberg,
- [Case Review: Photographer v. Artist (2013)](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-photographer-v-artist-2013/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq.* Update: In 2014, Greenfield v. Pankey was transferred out of Souther District of New York to Western District of Texas and settled shortly thereafter. Terms of the settlement are confidential. * * * Chasse away Cariou v. Prince! Filed on December 20, 2013 with amended complaint submitted on the New Year's Eve, Greenfield
- [Kapoor’s Assistant Pleads Guilty to Possession of Illicit Antiquities](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/kapoors-assistant-pleads-guilty-to-possession-of-illicit-antiquities/) - By Angelea Selleck In late November 2013, Aaron Freedman pled guilty in New York Supreme Court to one count of criminal conspiracy and five counts of possession of stolen property worth $35 million. Freedman, 41, was working at the now closed Art of the Past gallery owned by Subhash Kapoor. Freedman spent nearly twenty years
- [Calder Estate Fraud Claim Dismissed: Judge Finds Allegations "An Incoherent Stew of Irrelevance and Innuendo"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/calder-estate-fraud-claim-dismissed-judge-finds-allegations-an-incoherent-stew-of-irrelevance-and-innuendo/) - On December 23, 2013, Judge Shirley Werner Kornreich dismissed the Calder Estate suit against Alexander Calder's long-time dealer, Perls Galleries. Kornreich, shifting fault to the Calder Estate, wrote in her Decision and Order: "Rarely has the court encountered a better justification for the statute of limitations." Bloomberg quoted her as saying: "All these allegations are
- [UPDATE: Artist Resale Royalty Rights – Is a US Droit de Suite in our Future?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/update-artist-resale-royalty-rights-is-a-us-droit-de-suite-in-our-future/) - by Hanoch Sheps, J.D. A highly-anticipated development is finally here. The U.S. Copyright Office released today its updated analytical report on the efficacy of an artist resale royalty in the United States entitled, "Resale royalties: an updated analysis." [Click here for a link to our previous story on the matter]. This 124-page report, requested by Congress in anticipation
- [Recent Decisions and Developments in FRENCH ART LAW (Part 2)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/recent-decisions-and-developments-in-french-art-law-part-2/) - By Olivier de Baecque, Attorney at law* French courts have become more restrictive on granting copyright protection. This is the case for photographs of works of arts and zinc plates used to produce lithographs. As a consequence, these works can be freely used or sold on the art market. 1. Lack of protection for photographs
- [Libel by Fiction: Greene v. Paramount Pictures Corporation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/libel-by-fiction-greene-v-paramount-pictures-corporation/) - By Richard A. Altman, Esq. Whether the Center for Art Law hosts its next dinner and a movie evening dedicated to the new Martin Scorsese film “The Wolf of Wall Street” remains to be seen. However, a suit arising from this film, recently filed in the Eastern District of New York, illuminates a curious area
- [Gurlitt Saga Continues: U-Turn or Rotary?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/gurlitt-saga-continues-u-turn-or-rotary/) - By Steffanie E. Keim, Esq. Children should not be punished for the mistakes of their parents. Sometimes it gets difficult to determine where mistakes of the parents end and new mistakes, those by their children, begin. The international art community is continuing to look at the Gurlitt saga with great interest, not the least because
- [Art Law Journals](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-law-journals/) - Art Antiquity and Law (U.K.) A quarterly, which starting in 1996, was designed for all who value the cultural and historical environment. “The principal aim of the Quarterly is to inform. It exists to tell those who work in art and antiquity about the law governing their activities and the policies behind the law. It
- [Recent Decisions and Developments in FRENCH ART LAW (Part 1)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/recent-decisions-and-developments-in-french-art-law-part-1/) - By Olivier de Baecque, Attorney at law* The following contains a selection of recent judicial decisions regarding the consignment of art works which are of practical importance to participants in the French art market. It should be noted that, under Civil law, the consignment of a work is precisely regulated by the Civil Code as
- [Over the Phone Auctions – A Missed Connection](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/over-the-phone-auctions-a-missed-connection/) - Phone bidding at auctions is nothing new (the image on the left dates back to a 2006 sale); however, the practice has grown in recent years.[1] For many buyers and collectors phone bidding is more convenient, it allows for anonymity, and some choose it because they do not want their governments knowing how much money
- [Stolen Roerich Painting recovered/Theives arrested](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/stolen-roerich-painting-recovered-theives-arrested/) - The thieves who stole two paintings from the Roerich Museum in Manhattan were arrested last week as they tried to sell one of the stolen works to an undercover cop at a Starbucks: On Sept. 3, Ryjenko and Croussouloudis -- carrying the painting in a blue paper shopping bag -- traveled to a Lower East
- [IP Dispute over 19th Century Painting in 21st Century Fashion Design](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/ip-dispute-over-19th-century-painting-in-21st-century-fashion-design/) - Russia's specialized Intellectual Property Court (IPC), which just became operational in July 2013, will be hearing an appeal regarding the appearance of a famous painting in fashion designs. Iya Yots, a fashion designer from St. Petersburg, was sued by The State Hermitage Museum over use of an image of Thomas Gainsborough's painting, “Portrait of a Lady in
- [Meme-ing the Warhol Foundation: Ceci N'est Pas Un Warhol](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/meme-ing-the-warhol-foundation-ceci-nest-pas-un-warhol/) - MEME: (noun)1 : an idea, belief or belief system, or pattern of behavior that spreads throughout a culture either vertically by cultural inheritance (as by parents to children) or horizontally by cultural acquisition (as by peers, information media, and entertainment media) 2 : a pervasive thought or thought pattern that replicates itself via cultural means;
- [They Had it Coming: New York Public Library Sued over Renovation Plans](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/they-had-it-coming-new-york-public-library-sued-over-renovation-plans/) - The New York Public Library on 5th Avenue and 42nd Street is a landmark. A group of prominent writers and scholars filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to stop the New York Public Library from demolishing the stacks in its flagship 42nd Street building or moving any books off the site. The complaint, filed in New
- [Keep your Friends Close -- Foundations In Dispute Over Artists' Funds](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/keep-your-friends-close-foundations-in-dispute-over-artists-funds/) - Cy Twombly and Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) are two of the best known 20th century American artists. Recognized for their works during their lifetimes, both established charitable foundations for charitable purposes. In 2013, the Foundations have Bill Goldston, Bennet Grutman and Darryl Pottorf are the plaintiffs, according to the lawsuit. The trustees, who originally filed suit
- [What is a Gold Tablet from a German Museum doing In re Flamenbaum estate?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/what-is-a-gold-tablet-from-a-german-museum-doing-in-re-flamenbaum-estate/) - A dispute over an ancient gold tablet pitting a Holocaust survivor's heirs against the German museum that lost the Assyrian relic in World War II will be argued Tuesday at New York's highest court. The 9.5-gram tablet, about the size of a credit card, was excavated a century ago by German archaeologists from the Ishtar Temple
- [News Flash: Updates on Antiquity Disputes](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/news-flash-updates-on-antiquity-disputes/) - Here is round up of all the recent antiquity disputes in recent months: Here is a round up of some of the recent antiquity disputes: MIDDLE EAST Egypt: http://icom.museum/resources/red-lists-database/red-list/egypt/ Syria Iraq http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/illicit-traffic-of-cultural-property/emergency-actions/syria/?goback=%2Egde_1769357_member_275947820#%21 SOUTH AMERICA Inca pyramid: http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pyra2.jpg AFRICA Nigeria Mallawi: The Ministry of State for Antiquities announced on Wednesday that it has recovered 13 artefacts recovered from the looted
- [Gainsborough's "Portrait" in Contemporary Fashion Dispute](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/gainsboroughs-portrait-in-contemporary-fashion-dispute/) - " In a previous entry, I wrote about an appeal to be heard by Russia's new Intellectual Property Court involving images of the Thomas Gainsborough painting "Portrait of a Lady in Blue." The case was filed against fashion designer, Ila Yots, by the owner of the painting, The State Hermitage Museum. Yots appealed an unfavorable
- [Spotlight: ICE](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-ice/) - Operation Desert ICE exemplifies new agency's broad mandate in 2003 In 2003, 15 agents from what would eventually become, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployed to Iraq, three days after the agency's creation, in a campaign dubbed Operation Desert ICE. Upon their arrival, the agents - Abdul Adada, Eric Andreucci, Mike Bridgeman, Ramsey Corbin,
- [Oops, they did it again... and again](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/oops-they-did-it-again-and-again/) - By Irina Tarsis* Oops, Prince did it again The case against Richard Prince, brought by the French photographer Patrick Cariou for unauthorized copying of his photographs that appeared in "Yes, Rasta" photography book was settled (following a Court of Appeals decision in 2014) in [DATE]. ON [DATE], Prince was subject of another copyright infringement claim.
- [Out of Court and Onto the Auction Block: Norman Rockwell's Saccharine Works Enter the Art Market's Blood Stream](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/out-of-court-and-onto-the-auction-block-norman-rockwells-saccharine-works-enter-the-art-markets-blood-stream/) - The record price for Rockwell's works at auction was set in 2006 when "Breaking Home Ties" sold for $15.4 million. Experts and collectors anticipate this record to be surpassed in [date] when three paintings appear in the Sotheby's sale... The paintings were on display at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge on loan for 18
- [New Players Same Faces in the Game of Art Selling](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/new-players-same-faces-in-the-game-of-art-selling/) - Andy Warhol Authentication Committee is closed; Calder Foundation is pleading the fifth to avoid answering hard questions and the famous but now defunct Knoedler Gallery is being sued for selling forgeries. What are the collectors, museums, art dealers and insurers to do as art experts are scared to offer opinions on art works presented for
- [Comment Period](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/comment-period/) - Editorial* How do unelected American citizens participate in the lawmaking process? Some vote (some abstain from voting), some campaign (some complain), some answer calls for comments issued by different government agencies. With the barrage of information via newspaper, magazines, Google Alerts as well as Reddit, Twitter feeds and other incessant sources of information lack of real public
- [ICE Agents Seize Old Master](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ice-agents-seize-old-master/) - Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agents seized this work by an "unknown Utrecht master" dating from 1632. It will be returned to the Max Stern estate. In a piece by Catherine Hickley for Bloomberg, it is reported that the work was seized from Larry Steigrad on April 2nd. The precedent for the seizure was set late
- [Interns in the Art World: Legal Pitfalls and Pointers](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/interns-in-the-art-world-legal-pitfalls-and-pointers/) - Auction houses, museums, art galleries and other arts institutions are notorious for hiring young and bushy tailed interns for little to no remuneration. Given that many full time employees are not generously compensated, students can expect little for the privilege of walking the galleries and witnessing the magic of the art scene backstage. Arts institutions
- [To Return or not to Return? Are Museums Really at Crossroads on Nazi-era Claims?](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/to-return-or-not-to-return-are-museums-really-at-crossroads-on-nazi-era-claims/) - It is true that some museums chose to use technical defenses to avoid returning art works in their holdings that were stolen by the Nazis before and during World War II. A recently published law journal article comes to the defense of the museums in their efforts to hold on to the works that would
- [Ukraine: Art Law Report](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/ukraine-art-law-report/) - New Website launched in the end of 2015, a good effort to catalog Ukrainian cultural losses: http://lostart.org.ua/ " Forgotten Heritage This is Ukraine's first Internet project, devoted to displaced cultural treasures that were removed from Ukraine in the 20thand 21st centuries. Our express goal is to create and continuously update a consolidated “Directory of Displaced
- [Spotlight: Trafficking Culture (UK)](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-trafficking-culture-uk/) - "Trafficking Culture aims to produce an evidence-based picture of the contemporary global trade in looted cultural objects. This research program is based at the University of Glasgow and is funded by the European Research Council. On this website, you can keep up to date with the research as it progresses. The Projects page outlines the research activities which make
- [In Focus: Graphic Arts and Library Theft](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/in-focus-graphic-arts-and-library-theft/) - The Chicago Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the theft of historical topographical maps from various educational institutions. Over the course of the next few months, we will offer you a series of articles dedicated to legal matters pertaining to graphic arts. Do not be alarmed, we are not suggesting there
- [Artist Resale Royalty Rights – Is a US Droit de Suite in our Future?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artist-resale-royalty-rights-is-a-us-droit-de-suite-in-our-future/) - By Hanoch Sheps* Contention, concern and equity – three words that best describe a recent discussion of proposed federal legislation for an artist’s resale royalty right in the United States. If passed, US artists would also benefit from the royalties on sales in other countries with resale royalty rights through reciprocity protocols. Currently the lack
- [Gurlitt Connection: Dix's granddaughter on Otto Dix's paintings in Gurlitt possession](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/gurlitt-connection-dixs-granddaughter-on-otto-dixs-paintings-in-gurlitt-possession/) - Dozens if not hundreds of articles appeared about the art hoard (latest from TNYT), amassed during the Nazi period and found in Munich 70-some years hence, in possession of an 80-years old hermit, Cornelious Gurlitt, the son of an art dealer Hildebrand Gurlitt. Some interested parties conservatively quote German laws and expect that Gurlitt will
- [Lessons on Auction Houses from Sotheby’s and the Case of the Stolen Renoir](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lessons-on-auction-houses-from-sothebys-and-the-case-of-the-stolen-renoir/) - By Hanoch Sheps, J.D.* Though not all art-related thefts involve multimillion dollar artworks – as portrayed in The Thomas Crown Affair remake – the theft and subsequent recent auction of a painting by French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir raises a question of liability for auction houses that unwittingly offer stolen works of all kinds of media
- [Case Preview: Lonny Marrow v. Jacob Javits Center, et al.](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-preview-lonny-marrow-v-jacob-javits-center-et-al/) - ‘One’ is a beginning and ‘two’ is forever, at least according to Lonny Marrow, an artist known as Phase 2, whose work Misconception of the A until recently decorated the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. The work is nowhere to be found, hence the following suit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XptNy-UfG4E * * * According to the
- [Despite Papal Declarations of Tolerance, Vatican Suppresses Photos of Gay Men Kissing](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/despite-papal-declarations-of-tolerance-vatican-suppresses-photos-of-gay-men-kissing/) - In July, Pope Francis stated, with regard to gay men and lesbians, “If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?...They shouldn’t be marginalized.” In an interview with America, The National Catholic Review, published on September 30, 2013, the Pope expanded on his earlier statements. Referring to abortion, gay marriage,
- [David Smith Estate's Recent Allegations of Copyright Infringement Highlights Ongoing Debate On Fair Use and Appropriation Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/david-smith-estates-recent-allegations-of-copyright-infringement-highlights-ongoing-debate-on-fair-use-and-appropriation-art/) - Grounds For Sculpture—a sculpture garden and museum in Hamilton, NJ—is under pressure to resolve a developing dispute between sculptor Lauren Clay, whose work is scheduled to open in an exhibit at the garden in under a month, and the estate of late Abstract Expressionist sculptor David Smith. The David Smith Estate is alleging that seven of Clay’s
- [UPDATE: Repatriation of Cambodian Art](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-repatriation-of-cambodian-art-2/) - The latest skirmish in the ongoing battle (See May 5, 2013) between the U. S. government (on behalf of Cambodia) and Sotheby's over an allegedly looted Khmer Empire sculpture turned nasty last Thursday, as both prosecution and defense hurled accusations of unethical behavior at each other. At issue before Judge George B. Daniels was Sotheby's motion
- [The Art of Gifting Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-art-of-gifting-art/) - When gifting art, a donor should be mindful of the outcome and options. Such attention may reduce the chances of costly confusion or conflict, and avoid other pitfalls. Preliminarily, the donor should decide if the gift is being made during her life or is a testamentary bequest. “There is an important distinction between the intent with which
- [Victorious Youth: Ownership dispute over the "Getty Bronze" continues](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/victorious-youth-ownership-dispute-over-the-getty-bronze-continues/) - By Claire Dettelbach Who is the rightful owner of a statue which was cast by the Ancient Greeks, discovered by Italians in international waters, subject to various international transactions, and which is now displayed in a United States museum? This is the question surrounding the “Victorious Youth”, a 3rd century BCE Greek bronze thought to
- [A Knoedler Aftershock: Freedman sues for Defamation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-knoedler-aftershock-freedman-sues-for-defamation/) - By Richard A. Altman, Esq., Law Office of Richard A. Altman For many years, Ann Freedman was the head of Knoedler Gallery, which had a long and celebrated history. In the mid-1990s, Freedman was introduced to Glafira Rosales, an art dealer. Rosales said that she had a collection of around forty previously unknown works by
- [Knoedler Director Defamation Settlement Reached](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/knoedler-director-defamation-settlement-reached/) - By Hanoch Sheps, J.D. As reported on September 16, 2013, Ann Freedman, former director of the Knoedler & Company Gallery brought a suit in defamation against Marco Grassi, for his comments relating to the gallery’s downfall in New York Magazine. [Read Center for Art Law: A Knoedler Aftershock: Freedman sues for Defamation]. In a settlement
- [Whois Gurlitt.info?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/whois-gurlitt-info/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. You know you are in need of a reputation management when the entire world knows your name and your address and nobody is thinking of sending you greeting cards. Also, reputation management might be a good idea when 1) your father was an art dealer connected to the Nazis, 2) you are
- [Trends in Repatriation of Cultural Objects from US Museums](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/trends-in-repatriation-of-cultural-objects-from-us-museums/) - By Harper Johnson and Suzanna Neal Museums in the United States, whether they be federally, state, or privately owned (including those run by universities), are ever-faced with claims that items in their care have incomplete or illicit provenance.[1] This is reflective of a broader trend among museums in the Western world, which are facing more
- [Navigating the Intersection of Art and Copyright: Insights from the Inaugural Art & Copyright Law Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/navigating-the-intersection-of-art-and-copyright-insights-from-the-inaugural-art-copyright-law-clinic/) - By Atreya Mathur and Patrick K. Lin Introduction and Objectives of the Art & Copyright Copyright Clinic In the ever-evolving landscape of artistic expression, the intersection of art and copyright law has become increasingly complex. From traditional mediums to emerging technologies, artists face a myriad of challenges in protecting their creative works. To address these
- [What is (wrong with) "Chandellier Bidding?"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/what-is-wrong-with-chandellier-bidding/) - New York ohn Flanagan, Republican state senator from New York, recently introduced legislation aimed at eradicating “chandelier bidding” at auction houses. Chandelier bids are nonexistent bids that auctioneers call out—usually with their gaze fixed at a point in the auction room that is difficult for the audience to pin down—in order to create the appearance
- [Pompeii's Head of Restoration Investigated for Fraud and Abuse of Office](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/pompeiis-head-of-restoration-investigated-for-fraud-and-abuse-of-office/) - The House of the Gladiators collapsed in 2010 after years of neglect. Annamaria Cavaco, head of the company commissioned to restore Pompeii, was placed under house arrest. She is suspected of awarding "irregular" contracts, completing unnecessary work, paying inflated prices, and failing to comply to archaeological standards. Police seized €810,000 ($1 million) of assets and banned
- [U.S. Court of Appeals hears arguments regarding stolen Herzog artworks](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/u-s-court-of-appeals-hears-arguments-regarding-stolen-herzog-artworks/) - Image of Baron Herzog's study with El Greco paintings. On January 23, 2013, Judges David B. Sentelle, David S. Tatel and Stephen Fain Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard oral arguments on appeal pertaining to an important art restitution claim dating back to World War II. Originally, the
- [UPDATE: More Arrests in the Kunsthal Museum Theft and New Speculation that Paintings were Burned](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/update-more-arrests-in-the-kunsthal-museum-theft-and-new-speculation-that-paintings-were-burned/) - The Eventimentul Zilei reported on March 4th that Matisse's "Reading Girl in White and Yellow," (1919) was burned. The claims are unsubstantiated. In January three Romanian men were arrested in connection with the Kunsthal Museum art theft. This month two more individuals are in custody and under investigation. On March 4th, a 19-year old Romanian woman was
- [Will the AAMD's Newly Updated Guidelines Lead to Substantial Change in Museum Collecting Practices?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/will-the-aamds-newly-updated-guidelines-lead-to-substantial-change-in-museum-collecting-practices/) - In late January, the Association of Art Museum Directors (the AAMD) announced that it was publishing a revision to its "Guidelines on the Acquisition of Archaeological Material and Ancient Art," following its mid-winter meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. The AAMD had not changed these guidelines since 2008, and many museums, dealers, archaeologists, and scholars alike
- [Margarita Aguilar, Former Director of the El Museo del Barrio, Files Discrimination Claim](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/margarita-aguilar-former-director-of-the-el-museo-del-barrio-files-discrimination-claim/) - Margarita Aguilar, former director of El Museo del Barrio, is suing the museum for gender discrimination. Last week things turned sour at the El Museo del Barrio once again. Margarita Aguilar, museum director since 2010, filed a claim with New York State human rights officials claiming gender discrimination. In a statement, she revealed that she was
- [Twombly Foundation Directors Feud](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/twombly-foundation-directors-feud/) - Cy Twombly, famous American artist died in 2011. Before his death he laid foundation for a Cy Twombly Foundation (the "Foundation"), an educational center and a museum in New York City. To this effect, he allegedly purchased a Beaux-Arts building at 19 East 82nd Street for a reported sum of $27.5 million. Presently, the Board of Directors
- [Obituary: Edward De Grazia, Attorney Who Defended "Morally Defiant Artists"](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/obituary-edward-de-grazia-attorney-who-defended-morally-defiant-artists/) - I do have a cause, thought, it is obscenity. I'm for it! Tom Lehrer, "Smut" (1965) Lysistrata by Aristophanes, Candide by Voltair, Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, The Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs, Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller, and many many more books have been banned at one time or another. Edward de Grazia was
- [Honghe Hani Rice Terraces Added to UNESCO's World Heritage List](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/honghe-hani-rice-terraces-added-to-unescos-world-heritage-list/) - China's Honghe Hani Rice Terraces were among the 18 sites added to UNESCO's World Heritage List a week ago, and local authorities in China have vowed to better protect them. The addition was announced at the 37th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which occurred in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from June 16-27. The terraces
- [Five Art Market Lessons from Recent Case Law](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/five-art-market-lessons-from-recent-case-law/) - By Daniel S. Kokhba, Esq. A growing number of investors have turned their attention to the art market. There, they are greeted by advisors, appraisers, brokers, experts and insurers. Art collectors and art investors hop from gallery to auction house to website, and their motives are as varied as the prices and mediums of the art
- [What's in a name 'Borghe$e'?](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/whats-in-a-name-borghee/) - Coat of arms of the House of Borghese Depending on one's background and taste, 'Borghese' is associated with different things: Italian papal history, art collection in Rome, Napoleon's sister, cosmetics, reality show "The Bachelor" and, now, an expensive legal suit Borghese Trademarks Inc. et al v. Borghese et al, 1:10-cv-05552-JPO over who has the right
- [Marc Jancou's Case Against Artist Cady Noland Dismissed](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/marc-jancous-case-against-artist-cady-noland-dismissed/) - A New York state trial court has dismissed dealer Marc Jancou's suit against artist Cady Noland for tortiously interfering with his contract with Sotheby's arising from her disavowal of her work Cowboys Milking (1980) just before it was to be sold at auction. This decision follows the earlier ruling in the same case in November,
- [Liquidating Assets When the Asset is an Andy Warhol](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/liquidating-assets-when-the-asset-is-an-andy-warhol/) - Andy Warhol, Portrait of Dolly Parton, from Christie's May 2012 Post-War and Contemporary Art Morning Session. The provenance lists that the Andy Warhol Foundation sold it to a private collector (now known as Chris Schoen). Bank of America has filed a complaint against real estate developers Chris Schoen and Hal Barry in Atlanta after they
- [Estate of Lucian Freud Gives Art In Lieu of Tax](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/estate-of-lucian-freud-gives-art-in-lieu-of-tax/) - Grandson of Sigmund Freud and the renowned artist, Lucian Freud, died in 2011 leaving his heirs a sizable art trove. Instead of paying the full inheritance tax owed, his heirs are reported as taking advantage of the British law that allows artists and collectors to donate cultural artifacts instead of paying taxes to the government.
- [Muses in Bankruptcy Court: a look at US arts and cultural institutions finding themselves in bankruptcy and out](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/muses-in-bankruptcy-court-a-look-at-us-arts-and-cultural-institutions-finding-themselves-in-bankruptcy-and-out/) - By Lesley Sotolongo Cultural institutions rely on both public and private funding to keep their doors open, however, public funding has become increasingly more difficult to obtain. For example, in 2013, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) with a budget of $138.383 million, awarded 2,153 grants totaling $112.734 million to the arts. On March
- [NOW you see it… Legalese of Street Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/now-you-see-it-legalese-of-street-art/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. Did you know that some street artists pay building owners for the right to paint graffiti? If so, it is almost as jarring as finding a tag on your business shutters early in the morning. What a synergistic example of the seemingly disparate interests: artistic, economic and legal -- satisfied. According
- [Looters Take Advantage of Turmoil in Egypt to Steal and Destroy Artifacts](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/looters-take-advantage-of-turmoil-in-egypt-to-steal-and-destroy-artifacts/) - Egypt's Malawi National Museum, located in the Upper Egyptian city of Minya, has been damaged and many pieces looted by rioters in the recent deadly clashes widely reported last week. On Wednesday, August 14, Egypt witnessed nationwide violence that left over 600 people deal and tens of thousands injured. The bloody fighting occurred as police cleared
- [Kunsthal Trial on Hold, Court President Grants More Time to Investigate](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/kunsthal-trial-on-hold-court-president-grants-more-time-to-investigate/) - On Tuesday, the Court President residing over the prosecution of the accused Kunsthal Museum thieves adjourned the trial for one month. The trial, labeled by the pulp press as "The Bonfire of the Masterpieces," will resume on September 10, 2013. The Court President agreed that more time was needed to clarify the painting's status and
- [Cave Prosecutorem as "Art Returns to Art" in Italy](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/cave-prosecutorem-as-art-returns-to-art-in-italy/) - Gioacchino Campolo, the Mafiosi formerly known as "the slot machine king" had great taste in art. He could also afford it. In 2011 he was convicted for various crimes, including fraud, criminal association, usury and extortion. Among other things, Campolo tempered with gambling machines and thus amassed millions in illegal profits.In addition to the properties
- [Basquiat sightings, or Case Review: Heriveaux v. Christies, Inc.](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/basquiat-sightings-or-case-review-heriveaux-v-christies-inc/) - By Chris Michaels, Esq. Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1960, Jean-Michel Basquiat was a contemporary American artist, who started his career as a graffiti artist in the mid-1970s working in and around the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He gained popularity in the art world in the early 80s when his first solo art show opened in
- [Stalled Disbursement of Wally Settlement](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/stalled-disbursement-of-wally-settlement/) - By Lesley Sotolongo After a 13-year legal battle that seemed to have ended in 2011, Egon Schiele’s 1912 Portrait of Wally remains embroiled in disputes. By way of re-introduction: the painting was taken from the owner, the Bondi family, in 1939 by another dealer and Nazi party member; it was later acquired under questionable circumstances by
- [Apparently Fakes Warrant the Same Security as Masterpieces](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/apparently-fakes-warrant-the-same-security-as-masterpieces/) - by Hanoch Sheps, J.D. The New Year has only just begun and already there is a travelling art exhibition planned for the best of the best -- the best of the fakes that is. As a perfect segue to last week's article A Plethora of Fakes and a Series of Thoughts: Where Has All The Real “Art” Gone?, the
- [A Plethora of Fakes and a Series of Thoughts: Where Has All The Real “Art” Gone?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-plethora-of-fakes-and-a-series-of-thoughts-where-has-all-the-real-art-gone/) - OP ED by Hanoch Sheps, J.D.* With the New Year only days away, it is only natural to reflect on the year that is coming to an end. With that, a string of fake artworks exposed in reputable institutions as part of sales or extensive exhibitions brings pause. As recently as December 23, 2013, a piece
- [Columbia Law School Event Explores the Legal & Ethical Dilemmas of Deaccessioning as DIA Bankruptcy Pushes the Envelope on Deaccession Debate](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/columbia-law-school-event-explores-the-legal-ethical-dilemmas-of-deaccessioning-as-dia-bankruptcy-pushes-the-envelope-on-deaccession-debate/) - By Hanoch Sheps, J.D.* On October 28, 2013, Columbia Law School’s Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts hosted “Selling the Museum’s Collection: Is Deaccessioning Ever Appropriate,” with Roberta Smith, Donn Zaretsky, Pippa Loengard, and Nicholas O’Donnell. The panelists discussed the ethical dilemmas posed by the bankruptcy of Detroit vis-a-vis the Detroit Institute of
- [After Restitution, Nazi-Seized Posters Seek a New Home](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/after-restitution-nazi-seized-posters-seek-a-new-home/) - By Angelea Selleck Note from the editors: Before the story of a treasure trove of Nazi-era looted and displaced paintings found in Munich broke out last week, there have been few big scale discoveries and restitutions of art objects displaced preceding, during and after World War II. The world is poised to see what happens
- [Some of What We Wanted to Know About Gallery Ethics Discussed at an EASL Event at Sotheby's Institute](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/some-of-what-we-wanted-to-know-about-gallery-ethics-discussed-at-an-easl-event-at-sothebys-institute/) - By Daniel S. Kokhba, Esq. On October 21, 2013, Sotheby’s Institute of Art and the Entertainment Arts & Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, hosted a panel discussion entitled "Everything You Wanted to Know About Gallery Ethics (But Where Afraid to Ask)", moderated by Judith Prowda, Senior Faculty Member at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art,
- [Matters of Baldessari: Estate of the Artist Finds Itself on Both Sides of Litigation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/matters-of-baldessari-estate-of-the-artist-finds-itself-on-both-sides-of-litigation/) - By Olivia Zinzi The estate of John Baldessari, a 20th century pop conceptual artist, is currently in the midst of two multi-million dollar lawsuits.[1] Baldessari, who died in 2020, may not have anticipated the headache his body of work would trigger involving the Marian Goodman Gallery, AXA XL, and Beyer Projects. Who was John
- [Morning after Art Law Mixer at Mixed Greens](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/morning-after-art-law-mixer-at-mixed-greens/) - We sure know how to pick 'em! Thanks to Janus and Maximus for showing their support for art law. More importantly thanks to all who braved the weather and came to the first 2014 Art Law Mixer at Mixed Greens Gallery last night. We had a small but healthy mix of art advisers, IP attorneys,
- [Fall of the Italian Empire: Protecting Italian Art and Cultural Heritage with a Smaller Budget](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fall-of-the-italian-empire-protecting-italian-art-and-cultural-heritage-with-a-smaller-budget/) - By Nora Choueiri When people think of Italy, they think of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, the country with the dozens of UNESCO heritage sites (49 at last count), and a nation with very strict art and cultural heritage laws. One does not generally think of art and cultural heritage sites falling apart because of lack
- [Photographs and Richard Prince: The Gifts that Keep on Giving](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/photographs-and-richard-prince-the-gifts-that-keep-on-giving/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. In truth... in art, there are few, if any, things , which in an abstract sense, are strictly new and original through out." Emerson v. Davies (CCD Mass 1845). J. Story Remember Cariou v. Prince? Cariou v. Prince, 11-1197-cv (2d Cir. Apr. 25, 2013) rev'ing 784 F.Supp.2d 337 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 18, 2011) offers many teachable
- [NY City Bar tackles "Hot Topics in Art Law 2014"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ny-city-bar-tackles-hot-topics-in-art-law-2014/) - By Megan E. Noh, Esq. On 12 March 2014, the New York City Bar Association hosted a well attended panel on "Hot Topics in Art Law 2014," moderated by the chair of its Art Law Committee, Dean Nicyper (Flemming Zulack Williamson Zauderer LLP). The panel was comprised of three speakers: Judith Bresler (Withers Worldwide; author
- [Moon Rocks Return to Alaska after Theft in 1973 by Future "Deadliest Catch" Star](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/moon-rocks-return-to-alaska-after-theft-in-1973-by-future-deadliest-catch-star/) - Richard Nixon awards moon rocks to Alaskan Governor Keith Miller on December 3, 1969. The rocks disappeared in 1973 during a museum fire. In 1969, President Richard Nixon presented moon rocks to the state of Alaska. The rocks were gathered by the Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission. Similar stones were awarded to
- [DC Comics Retains Superman Rights](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/dc-comics-retains-superman-rights/) - Who needs an octogenarian superhero, Superman (born ca. 1938) when you have a strong infrastructure and volunteers to help get a metropolis back up running after a hurricane?! In 2010, DC Comics sued siblings of artist Joe Shuster seeking a judgment that they, as his heirs, lost their rights to reclaim copyright in the famous
- [Andy Warhol in China but not Warhol's Mao](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/andy-warhol-in-china-but-not-warhols-mao/) - A retrospective of Andy Warhol paintings is touring Asia; it will come to Shanghai and Beijing in 2013. Hundreds of his works make up the show entitled "Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal," currently on display in Hong Kong. However, one familiar image by the father of the pop art will be conspicuously absent from the exhibition in
- [Homage to Grand Central Anniversaries](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/homage-to-grand-central-anniversaries/) - On February 1, 2013, New York celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Grand Central Terminal. It is arguably the most famous train station in the United States. Today nobody in his right mind would consider taking this beautiful landmark down. However, in the 1970s Grand Central was under real threat of demolition; it could have
- [The Journey of Columbia University's Rembrandt](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/the-journey-of-columbia-universitys-rembrandt/) - Rembrandt, "Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo," 1658. The Otto Naumann Limited gallery describes Rembrandt's "Portrait of a Man with Akimbo" exquisitely on their website. They write: "Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Man dated 1658 is one of the last works from his late career left in private hands and also one of the master’s least known
- [Getty's Efforts to Verify Ownership x 45,000](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/gettys-efforts-to-verify-ownership-x-45000/) - Museums loath to admit that some objects that they hold have dubious provenance or questionable title. From time to time, it is inevitable that one or two pieces may need verification of ownership. In the case of the J. Paul Getty Museum this little house cleaning, verification process will affect 45,000 objects. Co-author of "Chasing
- [Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People" Vandalized and Restored One Day Later](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/delacroixs-liberty-leading-the-people-vandalized-and-restored-one-day-later/) - Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People" (1830) at the Le Louvre-Lens. Eugene Delacroix's masterwork, "Liberty Leading the People" (1830), was defaced on February 7th at the Le Louvre Lens, a satellite museum of the Louvre located in Northern France. According to reports, a 28-year-old woman used a permanent marker to write "AE911" in the lower right
- [Goulandris Affair: Who sold the Art and Why?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/goulandris-affair-who-sold-the-art-and-why/) - Greek billionaire shipping magnate, Basil Goulandris died in 1994. His wife died in 2000. The couple owned a large billion-dollar worthy collection of art that was kept in their Alpine chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland. Bloomberg News reports that one of Goulandris' heirs, Aspasia Zaimis, is seeking to recover parts of the Goulandris collection that were
- [And Another: Fake Rothko from Knoedler](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/and-another-fake-rothko-from-knoedler/) - Knoedler who? On January 29, 2013, the Martin Hilti Family Trust (the "Trust") accused Knoedler gallery, the gallery that was and that is no more, of selling it a fake Mark Rothko on 2002. In a 45-page complaint, the Trust brought suit against the gallery's former owner, Michael Hammer; its former president, Ann Freedman, and a Long Island
- [Ethical Conflict Surrounding Cambodian Cultural Property](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/ethical-conflict-surrounding-cambodian-cultural-property/) - This year, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act 97 P.L. 446, 19 USC 2601 et seq. Pursuant to the language of the Act, a Cultural Property Advisory Committee (the "Committee") undertakes investigations of requests to implement agreements between the United States and other State Parties seeking to
- [Dealer Sued by State Farm for "Losing" Toulouse-Latrec Lithograph](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/dealer-sued-by-state-farm-for-losing-toulouse-latrec-lithograph/) - Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's "Artistide Bruant Dans Son Cabaret," (1893) now missing. State Farm Insurance is suing dealer Alfred DeSimone for "losing" one of Henry Toulouse-Lautrec's most recognizable images. "Artistide Bruant Dans Cabaret" is part of a three poster series created in 1893 to advertise the comedian Artistide Bruant. Now the lithograph is MIA. Thomas Rosensteel, an art investor,
- [Westheim's Heir Seeks Return of Klee and Other Art from Solomons](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/westheims-heir-seeks-return-of-klee-and-other-art-from-solomons/) - by Irina Tarsis* Paul Westheim (1886-1963) was an art critic who collected thousands of German Expressionist works by Oskar Kokoschka, Paul Klee and others. He left Germany in 1935, fleeing Nazi persecution, and gave his art collection to a modernist art dealer, Charlotte Weidler (1895-1983) for safekeeping. After the war, Weidler informed Westheim that his
- [Spotlight: Michael McCullough LLC Blog](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-michael-mccullough-llc-blog/) - Earlier this year, Michael McCullough LLC premiered its blog, with commentary about Art, Cultural Assets and International Trade Law to complement its practice. Principle of the LLC and the principle blog writer, Michael McCullough, is a former associate counsel to Sotheby's. He is currently advising art collectors, galleries and auction houses on sale, international trade
- [Is the Metropolitan Museum Free?](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/is-the-metropolitan-museum-free/) - There are currently two lawsuits against the Metropolitan Museum of Art, both demanding an injunction and signs that clearly state the ticket price is a "suggested donation." The Met is once again being sued by unhappy "customers." Two Czech tourists and one museum member are accusing the Met admission signs are deceptive. They argue that
- [Appealing decision in Thompson v. Warhol (2013)](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/appealing-decision-in-thompson-v-warhol-2013/) - In November 2011, Supreme Court Judge in New York, Carol R. Edmead decided Thompson v. Andy Warhol Foundation Board. The Complaint brought in the case alleged "breach of contract against the Board; negligent misrepresentation against the Board, the Foundation, and the Museum, and gross negligence against the Board, the Foundation, and the Museum." Meaning, Plaintiff purchased
- [Part I: Who Owns Street Art?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/part-i-who-owns-street-art/) - By Center for Art Law. The reference to James Cuno's Who Owns Antiquity in the title of this article is not flippant. The rhetoric and vocabulary that is passe in the discussion of cultural heritage is now relevant to disputes over street art, formerly known as "graffiti." A few years ago, even five years ago, street art held little
- [Keith Haring Foundation v. Colored Thumb Corp.](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/keith-haring-foundation-v-colored-thumb-corp/) - Groupon offering a discount on the Miami Show. Just last year, Keith Haring Foundation (the "Foundation") announced its plans to disband its authentication committee either as a cost cutting or a self-preservation measure. Apparently they deemed one too many works as not by Keith Haring and drew ire from collectors. Now in a more lucrative move,
- [Helly Nahmad, Heir of Controversial Art-Dealing Dynasty, Indicted in International Gambling and Money-Laundering Scheme](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/helly-nahmad-heir-of-controversial-art-dealing-dynasty-indicted-in-international-gambling-and-money-laundering-scheme/) - Hillel "Helly" Nahmad, owner of the Helly Nahmad Gallery located in Manhattan's glamorous Carlyle Hotel, is one of thirty-four people indicted for playing a role in an extensive gambling and money-laundering scheme that stretched from Russia to the United States. On Tuesday, April 16, FBI agents filled the gallery, conducting a raid that began at 7:30am. The
- [Pickpocketing at the Louvre Forces the Museum to Close After Guards Walkout](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/pickpocketing-at-the-louvre-forces-the-museum-to-close-after-guards-walkout/) - The Louvre closed its doors on April 10th after gallery guards staged a walkout in protest to an increase in pickpocketing and violence. On April 10th, the Louvre was forced to lock its doors. The unannounced closure left approximately 30,000 tourists out in the cold. The museum closed when 200 museum guards failed to show up
- [NPR Story on the Field Museum's Financial Crisis Incites Sharp Comments from Listeners](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/npr-story-on-the-field-museums-financial-crisis-incites-sharp-comments-from-listeners/) - The Field Museum is encyclopedic, with more than 20 million biological and geological specimens and cultural objects. On May 6th, NPR's Morning Edition aired a feature on the Field Museum in Chicago. The report is hackneyed, fitting into the genre of the modern American museum tale. After cutting costs and staff layoffs, the museum is still
- [YouTube Offers Evidence and Confession of a Picasso Vandal](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/youtube-offers-evidence-and-confession-of-a-picasso-vandal/) - Last June, an art student, Uriel Landeros, was caught on video vandalizing a Picasso painting, Woman in a Red Armchair, at the Menil Collection in Texas. Following his attempts to escape to Mexico, Landeros was caught and charged with criminal mischief. Ultimately, he plead guilty to graffiti charges. On May 21, 2013, he was sentenced to two
- [Recent and Pending Legal Matters Affecting the Literary World](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/recent-and-pending-legal-matters-affecting-the-literary-world/) - Cover Art. To Kill a Mockingbird Author Sues Agent Harper Lee, now 87, is know to most every High School Student in the country even though she only published one work, a story that that centers around a courtroom trial entitled To Kill a Mockingbird. The work came out in 1960, and was adapted made into
- [Recent Conference in Atlanta Highlights the Importance of Online and Digital Technologies in Art Law Practice](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/recent-conference-in-atlanta-highlights-the-importance-of-online-and-digital-technologies-in-art-law-practice/) - While "new media" (as the Internet is frequently referred) is far from new, the rapid evolution of online and digital technologies has created a wealth of new opportunities and new challenges for artists and their lawyers. Digital capture and transfer of images is revolutionizing the arts worlds; websites, digital archives, webcasts, blogs, and participatory ‘net’ art and
- [Money, Money, Money, Not So Funny in Sicily](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/money-money-money-not-so-funny-in-sicily/) - Mozia Charioteer, 470-460 BC, now on display at the J. Getty Museum Sicilian are crying foul to the J. Paul Getty and Cleveland Museum exhibition "Sicily: Art and Invention Between Greece and Rome." The pieces in question are the Mozia Charioteer and a gold libation bowl. Sicily claims that the exhibition is depriving the region
- [Picasso Si, Picasso La: Pending Legal Actions Involving Two Picasso Paintings](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/picasso-si-picasso-la-pending-legal-actions-involving-two-picasso-paintings/) - Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), man of many talents, was arguably the most influential and versatile artist of the 20th. His works are perennially coveted and ubiquitous. Everybody who is anybody had, has or will have a Picasso, be it an individual collector, a museum or an auction house. In the recent months, two of his works, one from the blue period
- [New York District Court Upholds Dreier Victim's Right to $33 Million Art Collection](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/new-york-district-court-upholds-dreier-victims-right-to-33-million-art-collection/) - By Ariel Greenberg On May 11, 2009, Marc Dreier--former high profile lawyer turned phony promissory note purveyor at the height of the financial crisis--pled guilty to eight charges of fraud in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On July 13, he was sentenced to twenty years in federal prison.
- [Tradition of Art Censorship in Russia is Alive and Well](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/tradition-of-art-censorship-in-russia-is-alive-and-well/) - Vasilii Slonov. Image from Siburbia.ru "Welcome! Sochi 2014" [Not]. Vasilii Slonov thought he got his 15 minutes of fame when his vivid posters commenting on the upcoming Winter Olympics in a popular summer resort town in Russia were selected for exhibition at the annual summer festival "White Nights in Perm." The festival was organized by
- [James Meyer Arrested and Indicted in Jasper Johns Art Theft](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/james-meyer-arrested-and-indicted-in-jasper-johns-art-theft/) - At 83, Jasper Johns is one of the best known contemporary artists whose works sell for millions of dollars. Unlike his accomplished contemporaries (past and present), Johns relies on a small group of assistance to help produce his works. Now, one of the longtime assistance is accused of stealing Johns' works. James Meyer, 51, worked
- [Sale of Abandoned Art Blocked by Artist Who Abandoned It](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/sale-of-abandoned-art-blocked-by-artist-who-abandoned-it/) - In a case that seems to prove the old adage that “no good deed shall go unpunished,” the purchasers of the contents of an abandoned locker are being blocked from reselling them by the artist who abandoned it – after they contacted her about returning some of the items. Brad Daily and Mike Claxton, dba Independence Collection LLC,
- [Green Day Wins Fair Use Claim](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/green-day-wins-fair-use-claim/) - On Thursday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California ruled that Green Day’s use of Derek Seltzer's "Scream Icon" was Fair Use. The artwork in question is Mr. Seltzer's image of a shrieking woman’s face a la Munch, which he pasted as posters and stickers in public areas around Los Angeles in 2009. Green
- [US Returns 10,000 Artifacts to Iraq](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/us-returns-10000-artifacts-to-iraq/) - On Friday, Iraqi and United States officials announced that 10,000 objects will soon be returned to Baghdad's National Museum. Some of the artifacts date from the time of Sumerian, Assyrian and Babylonian Empires. Baha al-Mayahi, an Iraqi ministry advisor, refused to go into detail about how the artifacts were recovered. Yet, when the United States returned
- [Naysayers Vamoose: Forum Asserts that ADR is a Possible Solution in Antiquity Disputes](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/naysayers-vamoose-forum-asserts-that-adr-is-a-possible-solution-in-antiquity-disputes/) - While some may say that arbitration or mediation is never possible in antiquity claims, the panelists at the discussion “Alternatives in Art Law: The International Struggle for Antiquities” beg to differ. On July 17, lawyers and students gathered in the Brooklyn Court House to hear the perspectives of Lawrence M. Kaye of Herrick Feinstein LLP,
- [Suit Over A Suit Avoided: Dispute Between Estate of Freddie Mercury and Go Go Gorilla](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/suit-over-a-suit-avoided-dispute-between-estate-of-freddie-mercury-and-go-go-gorilla/) - In Norwich, England, a dispute arose between two unlikely parties: the estate of Freddie Mercury, formerly of the legendary rock band Queen, and the organizers of the Go Go Gorilla charity initiative, a public art trail. The subject matter of this dispute: an alleged infringement of copyright in the distinctive yellow and white suit worn
- [Who Owns Anne Frank's Legacy: The Frank Museum or the Frank Family?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/who-owns-anne-franks-legacy-the-frank-museum-or-the-frank-family/) - Last month the district court in Amsterdam decided that the Anne Frank House must return 10,000 documents and photographs to the Anne Frank Fonds, Mr. Franks designated universal heir and copyright owner of Anne Frank's diary. In 2007, the Fonds lent the documents to the Frank House, site of the Frank's hiding before their arrest
- ["Newsies"'s a Snoozie but Stagehands' Union Stops the Music at Carnegie Hall](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/newsiess-a-snoozie-but-stagehands-union-stops-the-music-at-carnegie-hall/) - May be Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbank would have been perfect for the roles of Katherine Plumber (nom de plume of Ms. Pulitzer) and Jack Kelly in the Broadway Musical, Newsies. As is, the acting and the dancing are energetic and the stage decorations are quite good, but the music and the lyrics are sadly
- [Who Owns a Banksy? Legal and Artistic Commentary on the Question](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/who-owns-a-banksy-legal-and-artistic-commentary-on-the-question/) - Graffiti art has a hard enough life as it is … before you add hedge-fund managers wanting to chop it out and hang it over the fireplace. For the sake of keeping all street art where it belongs I’d encourage people not to buy anything by anybody unless it was created for sale in the
- [Small Win for Artists Fighting Against 5Pointz Demolition, But Will It Be Enough?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/small-win-for-artists-fighting-against-5pointz-demolition-but-will-it-be-enough/) - The graffiti artists of 5Pointz—the acknowledged “Mecca of the Aerosol Art World” in Long Island City, Queens— can declare a small victory in their ongoing fight to keep their world-renowned works from being demolished to make way for a new real estate development project. The artists, led by 5Pointz curator and founder Jonathan Cohen, filed
- [Paper, Rock, Scissors: Smith-Clay Conflict and Resolution](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/paper-rock-scissors-smith-clay-conflict-and-resolution/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. Think “Paper, rock, scissors;” David v. Goliath; momentary v. permanent; feminine v. masculine; appropriation v. original; transformative v. derivative. In the 1960s, David Smith (1906-1965) created a series of monumental steel sculptures called “Cubi.” In his own words, he “intended the reflective surface [of the Cubi] to be part of the
- [SPOTLIGHT: The International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR) and its Online Resources](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-the-international-foundation-for-art-research-ifar-and-its-online-resources/) - by Hanoch Sheps, J.D.* Center for Art Law recently sat down with IFAR Executive Director, Dr. Sharon Flescher, to discuss the development of their Art Law & Cultural Property database. It would be the understatement of 2014 to describe this resource as but a tool in a researcher’s provenance and due diligence repertoire – it
- [Gurlitt Reading List](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/gurlitt-reading-list/) - Have you heard of Cornelius Gurlitt? No, not the composer who died at 81 at the turn of the 20th century, and not the architect who died in 1938, but their nephew and grandson, an art keeper and the son of an infamous art dealer, Hildebrand Gurlitt? Does not ring a bell? Well, little is know
- [Spotlight: ArtWatch International](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-artwatch-international/) - by Angelea Selleck ArtWatch International (ArtWatch) is a watchdog organization that “alert[s] the general public to illicit interventions, unreasonable threats to masterpieces, or situations connected with art that need action.”[i] The organization was founded by the late art history Professor James Beck of Columbia University in 1992. ArtWatch Past Professor Beck, who specialized in Italian
- [Jasper Johns Testifies, Foundry Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraud](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/jasper-johns-testifies-foundry-owner-pleads-guilty-to-fraud/) - On Monday, January 27, 2014, former foundry owner Brian Ramnarine has admitted to lying about the authenticity of thirteen sculptures and attempting to sell forgeries by attributing them to well-known artists Jasper Johns, Saint Clair Cemin, and Robert Indiana. Ramnarine was arrested in November 2012, after an art collector who had been offered a sculpture
- [Ryan O'Neal Wins Warhol's Farrah Fawcett Portrait](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/ryan-oneal-wins-warhols-farrah-fawcett-portrait/) - By Mary Elizabeth Williams Last month a jury awarded title of a disputed Andy Warhol portrait of Farrah Fawcett to Ryan O'Neal, her long-term partner. The decision was a result of the case The Board of Regents for the University of Texas System on Behalf of the University of Texas v. Ryan O'Neal [CITATION]. Warhol
- [Now Louvre Returns Nazi-Looted Paintings to Jewish Heirs as Art Trickles Back to Rightful Owners](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/now-louvre-returns-nazi-looted-paintings-to-jewish-heirs-as-art-trickles-back-to-rightful-owners/) - By Hanoch Sheps, J.D. Nothing happens quickly in restitution work, but a recent effort by the Louvre is a step in the right direction. Nearly 70 years since the end of World War II, thousands of art objects looted by the Nazi’s remain in museum collections around the world, including about 2,000 in France. There
- [Burning Fake Chagall’s, Market Integrity versus Ownership Rights – A Zero Sum Game](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/burning-fake-chagalls-market-integrity-versus-ownership-rights-a-zero-sum-game/) - By Hanoch Sheps, Esq. Authenticity: a trait that seems increasingly hard to establish. Some entities are even burning fake artworks to ensure lasting integrity in the art market. Does the presence of ‘fakes’ warrant such drastic action, and is it legal to seize and destroy someone’s property? Picture this – a collector purchases a particular
- [SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-u-s-immigration-and-customs-enforcement/) - By Lesley Sotolongo In January 2003, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) bureau was established as an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI) to refocus homeland security inspection and investigation functions. ICE prides itself on being the largest investigative arm within HSI, providing “unparalleled investigation, interdiction, and security services to the
- [A Flag by other Name: Are there Traditional Ownership Protections Available to Iconic Cultural Symbols?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-flag-by-other-name-are-there-traditional-ownership-protections-available-to-iconic-cultural-symbols/) - By J. Bruce Richardson, Esq. A physical flag, in and of itself, is a piece of fabric. However, once a cultural symbol is put on a piece of fabric, the cloth transforms and carries with it whatever cultural significance is found in the original symbol. The flag then becomes as much a part of cultural
- [Case Review: Bilinski v. the Keith Haring Foundation](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-bilinski-v-the-keith-haring-foundation/) - By Chris Michaels, Esq. Filed in the Southern District of New York on 21 February 2014, the case of Bilinski v. The Keith Haring Foundation, Inc. finds its origins, in large part, from the decision of the Haring Foundation to dissolve its Authentication Committee in September 2012. (See our article: The Keith Haring Foundation Announces Its Decision
- [SPOTLIGHT: New Jersey Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-new-jersey-volunteer-lawyers-for-the-arts/) - There are many lawyers (former artists or art lovers) interested in giving back to the community by working pro bono with artists. Many states nationwide have centralized portals or nonprofit organizations that offer trainings and consultations by bringing lawyers and artists together. Center for Art Law recently sat down for an interview with the
- [The Statute of Limitations Invoked to Dismiss Copyright Claims (Source: NYSBA EASL Blog)](https://itsartlaw.org/al-clippings/the-statute-of-limitations-invoked-to-dismiss-copyright-claims-source-nysba-easl-blog/) - Joel L. Hecker, counsel for Gideon Lewin, in the ongoing case of Gideon Lewin v. The Richard Avedon Foundation (2015) offers some comments on the case that invoked statute of limitations in a copyright claim. Following, is an excerpt from the Hecker's article: "On June 26, 2015, a decision of interest concerning the application of
- [Case Review: Hermès International v. Rothschild](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-hermes-v-rothschild/) - By Harper Johnson A legal dispute between the Los Angeles based artist known as Mason Rothschild, the creator of the MetaBirkin NFTs, and Hermès, the French company that has been manufacturing the physical Birkin handbag for almost 40 years, is ongoing despite a New York federal jury concluding that Rothschild violated Hermès’ trademark rights.[1] This
- [From Stolen Heritage to Restitution: The Story Behind Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/from-stolen-heritage-to-restitution-the-story-behind-looted-art/) - By Amanda Buonaiuto What is Looted Art? Looted art, also known as stolen art, refers to artifacts that have been unlawfully taken from their rightful owners through various means, such as theft and coercion during times of conflict, colonization, or war. The term encompasses a wide range of cultural objects that hold significant historical value,
- [Nahmad Sentenced to One Year in Prison After Folding His Cards](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/nahmad-sentenced-to-one-year-in-prison-after-folding-his-cards/) - By Mary Elizabeth Williams On 30 April 2014, Helly Nahmad was sentenced to serve a year and a day in the Federal Correctional Institution at Otisville, New York, a long way from his $21.7 million Trump Tower apartment. Nahmad pled guilty last November to operating a gambling business out of his Upper East Side gallery to
- [Interns in the Arts](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/interns-in-the-arts/) - By Lesley Sotolongo Internships have become increasingly important not only in academic curriculums, but also for any jobseeker wanting to gain work experience to boost his or her resume. It is both an avenue of recruitment and a source of human capital for employers. However, interns are often unpaid and only receive academic credit for
- [Detroit Institute of Arts Fights to Safeguard its Collection (Still)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/detroit-institute-of-arts-fights-to-safeguard-its-collection-still/) - By Chris Michaels On Tuesday, 27 May 2014, the Detroit Institute of Arts responded to the objections made by financial creditors of the City of Detroit (the “City”) to a proposed plan that would protect its collection from sale. The Detroit Institute of Arts’ (“DIA”) collection has been at the center of controversy in Detroit’s
- [Art Law Visiting the Non-profit Side: On Qualifying for 501(c)(3) Status as an Arts Organization](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-law-visiting-the-non-profit-side-on-qualifying-for-501c3-status-as-an-arts-organization/) - By Benjamin Takis Background New non-profit organizations often find that the world is not a hospitable place. While innovation, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking by new for-profit companies are lauded, fledgling non-profits typically struggle to gain the acceptance and support of private foundations, donors and others in the non-profit community. There is, after all, only a limited
- [Art Law – the Corporate Side: Sotheby’s Wins the Battle in the Delaware Chancery Court But Loses the Proxy War](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-law-the-corporate-side-sothebys-wins-the-battle-in-the-delaware-chancery-court-but-loses-the-proxy-war/) - By Elizabeth Lash, Esq. It’s a tale as old as time - or at least as old as a 1982 Keith Haring work: a multi-million dollar proxy fight between an incumbent board of directors and activist shareholders, battled through poison letters and poison pills. (Ed. Note: see Sources and Explanations for definitions of various corporate law terms). In
- [Rap as Evidence in Criminal Cases or an Assault on Artistic Expression?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/rap-as-evidence-in-criminal-cases-or-an-assault-on-artistic-expression/) - By Elena Kravtsoff, Esq. In 2005, a man named Lamont Peterson, an alleged drug dealer, was victim to a shooting that left him paralyzed. The weapon, a 9-millimeter gun, was never recovered, but several cell phones—including one that was later linked to one Vonte Skinner, an aspiring rapper—were found on the scene of the shooting.
- [Case Review: Caterbetti v. Bloomgarden, et al](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-caterbetti-v-bloomgarden-et-al/) - By Chris Michaels, Esq. On 28 March 2014, a complaint filed in the Supreme Court of New York, County of New York, alleges violations of the consignor/consignee relationship between an artist and the gallery that undertook to sell his works. Plaintiff, Jorge Caterbetti is a professional Argentinean artist whose work comments and critiques legal, social,
- [The Race for a Tax Break:  How Buyers Circumvent ‘Use Taxes’ on Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-race-for-a-tax-break-how-buyers-circumvent-use-taxes-on-art/) - By Emma Kleiner When Three Studies of Lucian Freud (1969) by Francis Bacon sold last November in New York for $142.4 million, the art world wondered about the identity of the unnamed buyer and the location of the triptych’s new home. Subsequently, the identity of the triptych’s anonymous buyer was revealed: the buyer was Elaine
- [Restrictions on Ivory in the United States, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director’s Order No. 210](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/restrictions-on-ivory-in-the-united-states-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-directors-order-no-210/) - By Chris Michaels, Esq. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently enacted an order seeking to restrict the market for ivory in the United States; an action that may have unintended consequences. For example, in 2012, The New York Times ran an article noting that the market for upright pianos has plummeted in recent years.
- [Spotlight on Art Law Instruction](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/spotlight-on-art-law-instruction/) - By Lesley Sotolongo Art law is taught to different types of students in different forums - law school, undergraduate, graduate, continuing education, and now, even by prominent auction houses. Two popular auction houses that offer art law programs are Christie’s and Sotheby’s. In collaboration with the University of Glasgow in London, Christie’s offers an intensive
- [Case Review: United States v. Twenty-Nine Pre-Columbian and Colonial Artifacts, From Peru](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-united-states-v-twenty-nine-pre-columbian-and-colonial-artifacts-from-peru/) - By Chris Michaels Miami has long operated as a market for stolen cultural objects. The high-profile case of Henri Matisse’s “Odalisque in Red Pants,” which was recovered in Miami in 2012, is a prime example of Miami being one of the top destinations for hot cultural objects. On 11 September 2014, an Order out of
- [Boston Raphael: Legal Art History](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/boston-raphael-legal-art-history/) - With scandal looming, Rathbone and the trustees of the MFA were now faced with a dilemma: how to quell both Siviero’s accusations of smuggling, as well as questions from U.S. Customs agents who had been consequently alerted.
- [Case Review: Karlsson v. Mangan](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-karlsson-v-mangan/) - By Chris Michaels On 11 June 2014, Plaintiff Anders Karlsson filed a case in the Central District of California against various individuals and entities alleging that they set up fraudulent investment schemes involving fake or forged artworks, attributed to Pollock and de Koonig, as well as breached their fiduciary duties to Plaintiff regarding his investment in a
- [Mr. Corcoran and the Trustees: The Corcoran Gallery of Art, a petition for Cy Pres, and the fate of an institution](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/mr-corcoran-and-the-trustees-the-corcoran-gallery-of-art-a-petition-for-cy-pres-and-the-fate-of-an-institution/) - By Caroline Camp The Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. began as the private art collection of Mr. William Wilson Corcoran (1798-1888). In the mid-19th Century, Corcoran would host public viewings of his collection but, given the growing number of artworks and visitors, he decided to create a formal structure to support the collection and his
- [Case Review: US v. Mask of Ka-Nefer-Nefer (8th Cir.)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-us-v-mask-of-ka-nefer-nefer-8th-cir/) - By Angelea Selleck After nearly three years of legal battles between the United States government and the St. Louis Art Museum (the “SLAM”), the forfeiture case known as U.S. v. Ka-Nefer-Nefer (8th Cir. Jun 2014) has finally come to an end. Ka-Nefer-Nefer was an ancient Egyptian noblewoman during the Nineteenth Dynasty. The case was concerned with
- [Infamous Piracy: How the Lucrative Market for Forgeries is Transforming the World of Fine Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/infamous-piracy-how-the-lucrative-market-for-forgeries-is-transforming-the-world-of-fine-art/) - By Emma Kleiner Stories of art forgeries capture the public’s imagination in a singular way: fascination centers upon the art itself and the disbelief that collectors, galleries, and professionals could have been misled by a fraud. Today, the expanding and profitable international art market has a correspondingly lucrative market in art forgery. While there have
- [The Copyright Office’s Recent Fee Changes](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-copyright-offices-recent-fee-changes/) - By Elena Kravtsoff, Esq. For the first time since August 1, 2009, the U.S. Copyright Office instituted a number of fee changes that took effect on May 1, 2014. Prior to instituting the changes, the Copyright Office issued a Notice of Inquiry on January 24, 2012, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on December 6, 2012,
- [Why Ronald Lauder Is Right About Nazi-Looted Art in Museums](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/why-ronald-lauder-is-right-about-nazi-looted-art-in-museums/) - *From the Editors: The following article first appeared on ArtNet. It is a response to two recent articles, an editorial authored by Ronald S. Lauder, a New York businessman and art collector, and a related commentary by Nicholas O'Donnell, Boston-based attorney and editor of Art Law Report. The article is reprinted with the permission of the
- [Attention all Art Buyers - Caveat Emptor and then Emptor some more!](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/attention-all-art-buyers-caveat-emptor-and-then-emptor-some-more/) - by Hanoch Sheps, Esq. Caveat Emptor (Latin for “let the buyer beware”) could quite possibly be the understatement of the century, at least it appears to be one of the glaring messages delivered at the NYU Art Crime and Cultural Heritage: Fakes, Forgeries, and Looted and Stolen Art Conference (the “Conference”). Three days’ worth of
- [One Matisse, Two Matisse: The Steal that it is this Summer](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/one-matisse-two-matisse-the-steal-that-it-is-this-summer/) - By Irina Tarsis Matisse died in 1954; he was 84. The following quote is attributed to Matisse, and as he dreamt of being palatable to a diverse audience, he succeeded in winning over the hearts of many. What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing
- [Case Review:  Frank Kolodny v. James Meyer, Fred Dorfman, and Dorfman Projects LLC (May 2014)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-frank-kolodny-v-james-meyer-fred-dorfman-and-dorfman-projects-llc-may-2014/) - By Jill A. Ellman A complaint filed in the Southern District of New York by Frank Kolodny on May 8, 2014, contains allegations for violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) and fraud in connection with the sale of artwork stolen from the studio of artist Jasper Johns, a major twentieth-century painter
- [Case Review: Schoeps v. Free State of Bavaria (June. 2014)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-schoeps-v-free-state-of-bavaria-june-2014/) - By Chris Michaels On 27 June 2014, Judge Jed. S. Rakoff of the Southern District of New York issued an order finding that the court did not have subject matter jurisdiction to decide on the merits a Nazi-era looted art case. This case was brought by the heirs of the late Jewish banker, Paul von
- [Let it Snow Art Law!](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/let-it-snow-art-law/)
- [The Times They Are a-Changin’– NYU Art Law Day’s Preview of Legal Developments](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-times-they-are-a-changin-nyu-art-law-days-preview-of-legal-developments/) - by Hanoch Sheps, Esq. Once a year, legal practitioners and fine art appraisers descend upon New York to attend the Art Law Day conference. * Always a high point of the events calendar, the NYU School of Professional Studies along with the Appraisers Association of America prepare a cutting-edge conference on legal issues facing the
- [Spotlight on Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts’ Creative Entrepreneurship Series](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/spotlight-on-washington-area-lawyers-for-the-arts-creative-entrepreneurship-series/) - By Elena Kravtsoff, Esq. This year, Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA) held its annual autumn Creative Entrepreneurship Series from October 2nd to November 6th. Each week volunteer attorneys lectured on topics relevant to artists who are interested in commercializing their work: business formation, funding and leases, contracts and licensing, tax strategies, negotiation skills,
- [Rauschenberg Estate Saga of Trust and Fees Explained](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/rauschenberg-estate-saga-of-trust-and-fees-explained/) - By Jessica Curley Prior to his death, Robert Rauschenberg (1925 – 2008) established a revocable trust, which is a type of estate planning tool that allowed him to change or even revoke the trust during his lifetime. The primary purpose of the trust was to benefit the Rauschenberg Foundation (“Foundation”), a non-profit organization, which supports
- [SPOTLIGHT: ARIS Title Insurance Corporation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/spotlight-aris-title-insurance-corporation/) - By Jill A. Ellman An average person’s encounter with title insurance is likely as a contract guaranteeing clear title of real property in connection with a real estate transaction. A purchaser of real estate property today would not fathom completing the transaction unless the property in question has clear title. Yet, the purchase of art
- [Case Review: Crile v. Commission of Internal Revenue](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-crile-v-commission-of-internal-revenue/) - By Chris Michaels, Esq. “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso For many artists, the financial instability that accompanies an artistic profession forces the artist to seek employment with a more consistent paycheck. A “day job” often provides the income for rent and
- [Getty v. Microsoft: Flagrant Infringement or a New Fair Use Frontier?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/getty-v-microsoft-flagrant-infringement-or-a-new-fair-use-frontier/) - By Elena Kravtsoff, Esq. On September 4, 2014, Getty Images, Inc. [Getty] filed a lawsuit in the Southern District Court of New York against Microsoft Corporation [Microsoft] over the Bing Image Widget, whose beta version was released less than two weeks earlier. The lawsuit seeks to “enjoin Defendant Microsoft from infringing and facilitating the massive
- [Alternative Alternatives: ALT2 Conference Review](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/alternative-alternatives-alt2-conference-review/) - By Jessica M. Curley On 29 September 2014, Bonhams auction house, together with BigelowSands LLC, hosted the fourth ALT2 Conference at its Madison Avenue location in New York City, where about 100 attendees from a multitude of industries including banking, marketing, commodity trading, and law gathered to hear world leading experts in these fields discuss
- [Viability and Feasibility: How much is an Art Museum Worth?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/viability-and-feasibility-how-much-is-an-art-museum-worth/) - By Elizabeth Lash, Esq. Who can say how much a piece of artwork is worth? Who owns public art? In one particular case, that of the Detroit Institute of Art (the “DIA”), these questions were not merely academic or philosophical. Over the past year or so, the possible answers to these questions were argued in
- [Caveat artifex: The case of one Immendorff Ready-Made](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/caveat-artifex-the-case-of-one-immendorff-ready-made/) - By Steffanie E. Keim, Esq. The German artist Jörg Immendorff (June 14, 1945 – May 28, 2007) was controversial during his lifetime and the controversies surrounding his art have not ended with his death. Following Immendorff’s death, his estate became embroiled in numerous high-profile lawsuits, including a suit by his illegitimate son, Jean-Louis, from a
- [Restitution, Repatriation and Return: When Objects Go Back; (PART 1 of 5) Restitution of Stolen Cultural Objects](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/restitution-repatriation-and-return-when-objects-go-back-part-1-of-5-restitution-of-stolen-cultural-objects/) - By Kevin P. Ray, first posted on Greenberg Traurig's art law blog Cultural Assets on February 25, 2015. An important and frequently misunderstood development in the law of art and cultural property in recent decades has been the elaboration in national laws, international instruments, and customary international law of the rights of individuals, groups, nations or other
- [The European VAT: Good for Tax Revenue, Bad for the Commercial Art Market?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-european-vat-good-for-tax-revenue-bad-for-the-commercial-art-market/) - by Elizabeth R. Lash, Esq. As an American, one might be forgiven for assuming that Europe, with its traditional support for the arts (at least, as a cultural phenomenon), would be equally supportive in its tax regime for the same. While in some limited instances, the European Union continues to provide a more favorable regime
- [Je Suis Public Domain](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/je-suis-public-domain/) - by Dennis C. Abrams On January 7th in Paris, an Islamist terror attack at the headquarters of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo resulted in the deaths of twelve people. It was immediately apparent that the attacks were carried out in retaliation for the magazine’s cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Shortly after the shooting, Joachim Roncin,
- [Donating Art - Not as easy as you may think...](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/donating-art-not-as-easy-as-you-may-think/) - By Aaron M. Milrad, first published on the Dentons website on 2 April 2015. Owner In advising potential art donors I find my clients are surprised when I ask “Are you the owner of the art?” At times there is no quick or obvious answer. Who was the buyer of the art? Who was listed on the
- [God Made Idiots: The Vandalism and Theft of Public Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/god-made-idiots-the-vandalism-and-theft-of-public-art/) - by Kristen Pionati “In the first place, God made idiots. This was for practice. Then he made school boards.” –Mark Twain In his 1897 book Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World, Mark Twain (born 1835, died 1910) wrote that “In the first place, God made idiots.” Even today education and upbringing continues to
- [Of Koons, Twombly, Perelman and Gagosian: Lessons to be Learned](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/of-koons-twombly-perelman-and-gagosian-lessons-to-be-learned/) - No fiduciary duty exists when both sides are sophisticated participants in the art market.
- [Rockwell-not Case Review: Knispel v. Gallery 63 Antiques](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/rockwell-not-case-review-knispel-v-gallery-63-antiques/) - By Chris Michaels How much would you pay for a piece of classic Americana? According to a complaint filed on 23 December 2014, twenty years earlier, in 1994 Barry and Isabel Knispel were willing to pay $347,437 for an original Norman Rockwell oil painting titled “Mending His Ways.” In early 2013, however, the Knispels learned that
- [Cuba on My Mind: Legal Implications of Accessing Cuban Art](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cuba-on-my-mind-legal-implications-of-accessing-cuban-art/) - Following the rise to power of Fidel Castro in 1959, a declining economy made preserving Cuba’s cultural property and accessing contemporary artworks increasingly difficult. Because of the Communist regime, the U.S. embargo was ratified in 1962 causing Cuba’s cultural heritage to suffer and art works to be illegally exported into the U.S.
- [Competing or Complementing: Art Loss Databases Proliferate](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/competing-or-complementing-art-loss-databases-proliferate/) - By Mia Tomijima Stolen art seems to be ubiquitous and difficult to track. It is relatively easy to ship and sell around the world, and can remain easily hidden for decades. The owner faces the conflict of wanting to publicize the loss widely, while also keeping their personal lives private. The development of databases to
- [Gold or Not? Scenery or Forgery? Art Reproductions Created for Film](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/gold-or-not-scenery-or-forgery-art-reproductions-created-for-film/) - by Mia Tomijima “Woman in Gold” (2015)adapts for the big screen the story of Maria Altmann (1916-2011) and her legal battle against the Government of Austria to return five Gustav Klimt masterpieces on display in Vienna’s Belvedere Museum, which were taken from her family by the Nazis during World War II. Austria shipped the paintings to the
- [Help Wanted: Miami’s Alarming Number of Directorship Successions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/help-wanted-miamis-alarming-number-of-directorship-successions/) - by Emily Behzadi With the musical chairs of museum and auction house directors moving from one institution to another, series of announcements about Miami art museums losing their directors in quick succession seems distressing. How important is it to have a director and how long can an institution survive with an interim leader at the helm?
- [Artists, Not Judges, Should Decide Fair Use: Select Implications of the Cariou-Sconnie Nation Deviation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/artists-not-judges-should-decide-fair-use-select-implications-of-the-cariou-sconnie-nation-deviation/) - by Sekou Campbell, Esq. This piece will focus on two implications of the Cariou and Sconnie Nation analyses: (1) the inherently factual nature of “fair use” analysis and (2) fair use as an affirmative defense. “Fair use” started as a judge-made remedy to technically correct legal conclusions that led to absurd results, a practice commonly
- [Online Art Auction: New Rules of the Old Game](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/online-art-auction-new-rules-of-the-old-game/) - By Melissa (YoungJae) Koo Name of the Game There are no federal rules governing auctions in the United States. Regulations governing conduct of auctioneers, as well as licensing and bonding requirements are reserved for individual states and municipalities. While some states do not require licenses, states like Georgia, Texas, Virginia, have statewide auction laws that
- [Wish You Were Here: Sotheby’s Institute of Art (CA) Conference, January 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wish-you-were-here-sothebys-institute-of-art-ca-conference-january-2015/) - by Jessica Newman On January 30 and 31, the Sotheby’s Institute of Art gathered attorneys and art professionals together in Los Angeles, California for their Art Law Conference entitled “The Practice of Law in the International Art World.” The two-day expansive agenda featured twelve modules and nearly forty speakers, including artist Shepard Fairey giving an
- [Attacks Against Cultural Heritage Abroad Raise Questions at Home](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/attacks-against-cultural-heritage-abroad-raise-questions-at-home/) - by Melissa (YoungJae) Koo Just about a month after the attack at Charlie Hebdo journal and a deadly shooting at a kosher supermarket in Paris, five teenagers are detained in France for desecrating as many as 250 gravestones in a cemetery in a rural town in eastern France, where many Jews are buried. This incident again
- [The Eaton Collection: Off the Block at Rago](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-eaton-collection-off-the-block-at-rago/) - By Rebecca Krishnan-Ayer The Contested Sale The New Jersey-based auction house Rago Arts and Auction Center (est. 1988) stirred controversy with the April 2015 projected sale of 450 works of art and artifacts from the Japanese-American internment camps established during World War II. In the wake of the New York Times article announcing the auction,
- [Case Review: Foster v. Svenson (2015)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-foster-v-svenson-2015/) - By Christopher Visentin Following up on a remarkable decision from 2013, this April 9th the New York Appellate Division of the Supreme Court affirmed the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a family’s right of privacy claim in favor of an artist’s freedom of expression. Two years ago Matthew and Martha Foster filed a complaint alleging breach
- [More than Just “Street Cred”: Why Intellectual Property Rights Matter to Street Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/more-than-just-street-cred-why-intellectual-property-rights-matter-to-street-artists/) - By Christine E. Weller Perhaps to the dismay of artists executing works in public spaces or on private property, street art and graffiti art has financial value and can be sold at auction without the artist’s consent. This commercialization does not sit well with some artists who engage in street art (illegally at times) as
- [Art Investment Funds: The Basics](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-investment-funds-the-basics/) - By Jessica M. Curley Fine art is known to have little intrinsic value beyond its cultural significance and aesthetically pleasing nature, yet it seems to be an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional investment assets. The CEO of Blackrock, Larry Fink, recently remarked that one of the “two greatest stores of wealth internationally today is contemporary
- [ISIS Cultural Destruction: In Brief](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/isis-cultural-destruction-in-brief/) - By Mia Tomijima War and political takeovers define history, but are also often responsible for erasing it. The devastating effects of these feuds result in the destruction of cities, people, and culture. Political leaders often make it a goal of destroying cultural heritage as a way of rewriting history and imparting their political, religious or
- [Oy May! Artless Boycotts Blossom](https://itsartlaw.org/art-history/oy-may-artless-boycotts-blossom/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. The front page of the New York Times The Arts Section today, May 5, 2015, features indigenous actors and prominent writers staging walk outs. The story of American writers withdrawing from a literary gala that plans to honor the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo for "freedom of expression courage" is particularly surprising, as it rings
- [Book Review: Elizabeth T. Russell’s "Arts Law Conversations"](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/book-review-elizabeth-t-russells-arts-law-conversations/) - From the editors: Case reviews, event reviews and now book reviews. Center for Art Law frequently receives notices of upcoming publications and accepts books for review. In addition to the list of Publications, we are happy to offer comments about some of the recently published materials on the subject of law and visual arts. By
- [WYWH: Review of “Cultural Property: Current Problems Meet Established Law”](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-review-of-cultural-property-current-problems-meet-established-law/) - By Jill A. Ellman, Esq. On March 27, 2015, the Lawyers Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation (LCCHP) and the Penn Cultural Heritage Center hosted the conference entitled Cultural Property: Current Problems Meet Established Law in Philadelphia. This was the sixth annual conference for LCCHP, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage, and the attendees
- [Let's do it again but better? Pros and Cons of Renewing the US-Italy Cultural Property MOU](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/lets-do-it-again-but-better-pros-and-cons-of-renewing-the-us-italy-cultural-property-mou/) - by Tess Bonoli Since January 19, 2001, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Italy has offered an added layer of protection to Italy’s cultural heritage. It was designed to regulate imports of pre-Classical, Classical, and Imperial Roman period cultural artifacts in the United States. The MOU is in response to a
- [WYWH: “Managing Risk in Art Transactions” June 2015 (NYC)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-managing-risk-in-art-transactions-june-2015-nyc/) - By Debra S. Friedmann In June, as part of a continued series of Art Law related events, the law firm of Herrick, Feinstein LLP hosted a morning panel discussion entitled “Managing Risk in Art Transactions,” dedicated to consignment, authenticity and title risks. Panelists included Laura Patten, with Art Crime Program, FBI, Judy Pearson, President at
- [UK Copyright Amendment Provokes Controversy in the Art and Design World](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/uk-copyright-amendment-provokes-controversy-in-the-art-and-design-world/) - By Christopher Visentin The British government has recently moved to repeal section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (the “CDPA”). Removing this section would increase the copyright duration for artistic designs—as opposed to traditional artistic works—from 25 years from the year the designs were first marketed, to the more common term of
- [Summertime and the Art Buyin' is Easy: Asking Questions about Art Transactions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/summertime-and-the-art-buyin-is-easy-asking-questions-about-art-transactions/) - By Daniel S. Kokhba, Esq. In the art market, a work of art is often carefully scrutinized and questioned by collectors and their agents concerning its style and substance. The art sale, however, may receive far less careful review. Given the prevalence of fraud, conflict of interest, and lack of transparency in such transactions, one
- [Cosby’s “Conversations”: How Should Museums Decide What is in the Public’s Best Interest?](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/cosbys-conversations-how-should-museums-decide-what-is-in-the-publics-best-interest/) - By Debra S. Friedmann Part of the core mission of the majority of museums is to educate the public. One way they achieve this is by using a range of informative literature: signs and labels to accompany a painting, an exhibition or a show. Some museums default to what has been coined the “tombstone label,”
- [The New Frontier of Cultural Property Protections: When Acquiring Cultural Objects Supports Terrorism](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-new-frontier-of-cultural-property-protections-when-acquiring-cultural-objects-supports-terrorism/) - By Timur Tusiray The United States Anti-Terror Act, 18 USC 2331, et seq. (“ATA”or the “Anti-Terror Act”), a potent anti-terrorism law (enacted in 1991) often used to prosecute financial institutions and other organizations, has now been identified as a tool to pursue individuals who operate in the cultural property market for materially supporting foreign terrorist organizations
- [WYWH: Forgeries and Fakes from “Fakes, Forgeries and Looted and Stolen Art”](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-forgeries-and-fakes-from-fakes-forgeries-and-looted-and-stolen-art/) - By Lindsay Dekter Following a multi-year investigation between 2011 and 2014, East Hampton art forger John Re was sentenced in May 2015 to five years in prison after nearly a decade of defrauding art collectors. Re passed off more than 60 paintings attributed to artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, amounting in
- [WYWH: Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts' Event “Galleries 101 – Law for Visual Artists” (DC)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-washington-area-lawyers-for-the-arts-event-galleries-101-law-for-visual-artists-dc/) - By Elena Kravtsoff, Esq. In the middle of summer, on July 21, 2015, Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts’ (WALA) Visual Arts Subcommittee hosted “Galleries 101 – Law for Visual Artists,” at the Hamiltonian Gallery. WALA is a non-profit organization that supports the artistic community in the DC area by offering continued education, advocacy and
- [Towering Ban on Ivory Trade](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/towering-ban-on-ivory-trade/) - By Mia Tomijima Ever since the United States announced the ban of commercial trade of African elephant ivory in February 2014 in order to protect dwindling populations of the endangered mammal, it seems that not a day has gone by without ivory being mentioned in the news. Recently, a loan of Byzantine-era ivory religious reliefs from
- [The Art of Case Law Precedent](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-art-of-case-law-precedent/) - By Olivia Zinzi and Dea Sula Precedent, “[a] professional name for the aggregate of reported cases as forming a body of jurisprudence; or for the law of a particular subject as evidenced or formed by the adjudged cases,” is one of the foundations of common law, which is practiced in the United States.[1] The highest
- [Is it a Crime? The Empty Defendant's Chair at the Knoedler Civil Trial](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/is-it-a-crime-the-empty-defendants-chair-at-the-knoedler-civil-trial/) - By Jessica Preis On February 10, 2016, the highly watched case, De Sole v. Knoedler Gallery, LLC, settled out of court. The events leading to the settlement date back either to 2004 when Eleanore and Domenico De Sole purchased a forged painting attributed to Mark Rothko from Knoedler Gallery (the “Gallery”), or to 1990s when Glafira
- [U.S. Museums May Serve As Safe Havens to protect ISIS-Looted Antiquities from Destruction](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/u-s-museums-may-serve-as-safe-havens-to-protect-isis-looted-antiquities-from-destruction-2/) - by Elizabeth Weber, Esq. Following the destruction and looting of culturally significant works in war-torn areas, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) issued a number of protocols to safeguard these artifacts by granting them safe haven in AAMD member museums. The protocols, titled AAMD Protocols for Safe Havens for Works of Cultural Significance from
- [Spotlight: UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/spotlight-unesco-and-the-world-heritage-convention/) - By Lindsay Dekter We must construct the defenses of peace in the minds of women and men. -UNESCO Motto A look at the history, framework, and impact of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention and the work of the World Heritage Committee following UNESCO’s seventieth birthday this past November. Historical Background In reaction to the destruction of
- [Unearthing the Evidence: How Soil Analysis will Revolutionize the National Stolen Properties Act](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/unearthing-the-evidence-how-soil-analysis-will-revolutionize-the-national-stolen-properties-act/) - By Timur Tusiray Introduction Less than one percent of the world’s archeological sites have been located or excavated, leaving the vast majority of humanity’s heritage open for discovery and exploitation by looters. This issue is not only relevant to Middle Eastern countries ravaged by conflict, but to areas around the world. For example, in China
- [Art Price Indices: Op Ed](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-price-indices-op-ed/) - Note from the editors: The subject of art investment and art as an alternative asset is of great interest to the regulators creators and collectors. Center for Art Law has published writing on related subjects before and we are delighted to be bringing an opinion on the subject of art indices from a seasoned art
- [Case Review: Galin v. Kunitake Hamada (2015), or Legal Storm over "Ice Storm"](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-galin-v-kunitake-hamada-2015-or-legal-storm-over-ice-storm/) - By Elizabeth Weber, Esq.In early September 2015, a former Tennessee news anchor who invested in Andrew Wyeth’s Ice Storm [the Painting] sued a Japanese art dealer in the Southern District of New York over the proceeds from the Painting’s May 2015 sale at Christie’s. The investor, Reed Galin, purchased a one-third interest in Ice Storm from
- [Seeing Double: Nearly Identical Photograph Sparks Copyright Controversy](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/seeing-double-nearly-identical-photograph-sparks-copyright-controversy/) - By Loren Pani Imagine the following scenario: You go on vacation with a group and take a gorgeous photo of some natural object. Mere seconds later, someone, standing almost exactly where you were standing, takes a photo of the same natural object. Years later you submit the photo for a contest, win the contest, then
- [WYWH: Art Law Issue Spotting at the "New York Comic Con" (NYC)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-art-law-issue-spotting-at-the-new-york-comic-con-nyc/) - By David Honig New York Comic Con (“NYCC”) took place earlier this month, October 8-11, 2015 at the Jacob Javits Center. In addition to christening the new 7 train subway stop at 34th street and 11th avenue, which opened on September 13, 2015, NYCC celebrated its tenth anniversary with comics, panels, parties, games and of
- [The National Historic Preservation Act at 50: A Look at the Historic Preservation Movement in the United States](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-national-historic-preservation-act-at-50-a-look-at-the-historic-preservation-movement-in-the-united-states/) - By Lindsay Dekter The current heritage climate, which sees the seemingly endless circulation of heart-wrenching images of the destruction of cultural heritage in the Middle East, or the recent ICC prosecution that serves as a reminder of the destruction of cultural heritage in Mali in 2012, can at times make it difficult to remember the
- [WYWH: Looted in “Fakes, Forgeries and Looted and Stolen Art” (NYC)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-looted-in-fakes-forgeries-and-looted-and-stolen-art-nyc/) - By Rebecca Krishnan-Ayer “In many ways, cultural heritage defines what it means to be human. It is a tangible reminder of the beauty and accomplishment of the ancient civilizations, our common origins, and our shared history and identity. It inspires a sense of belonging and is a source of pride. Culture has the exceptional potential
- [Whose Tattoos? Body Art and Copyright (Part I)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/whose-tattoos-body-art-and-copyright-part-i/) - By Samantha Elie* About a year ago my father got a tattoo. This man, who responded to my first tattoo by informing me that I had to cover it up for interviews and work, picked a design and got some ink of his own. But this move was not out of line with current trends:
- [Music, Brushstrokes, and Copyright: A Broadway Musical’s Tribute to a Visual Artist](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/music-brushstrokes-and-copyright-a-broadway-musicals-tribute-to-a-visual-artist/) - By Eric J. Simon “I was the first woman to paint cleanly, and that was the basis of my success. From a hundred pictures, mine will always stand out. And so the galleries began to hang my work in their best rooms, always in the middle, because my painting was attractive. It was precise. It
- [The Politics of Looking: Post-Mortem Privacy & Ethics in Contemporary Photography](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-politics-of-looking-post-mortem-privacy-ethics-in-contemporary-photography/) - By Divya Srinivasan The photographic documentation of the deceased body has occurred for decades. While photographers' intentions vary, controversy surrounds this practice, resulting in discourse about the regulation and accessibility of corpses and their use in photographic production. Whether it be for the sake of documentation or aesthetics, it is evident that the historical use
- [Ask SAM: Navigating NAGPRA Challenges in Museums, with a Focus on the Seattle Art Museum](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/ask-sam-navigating-nagpra-challenges-in-museums-with-a-focus-on-the-seattle-art-museum/) - By Claire Killian What is NAGPRA? In the ecosystem of cultural heritage and museum governance, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) stands as the pivotal piece of legislation shaping the landscape of museum practices and indigenous rights in the United States.[1] Enacted in 1990, NAGPRA mandates the repatriation of Native American human
- [Serra Set Precedent: An Art Law Homage to Richard Serra](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/serra-set-precedent-an-art-law-homage-to-richard-serra/) - By Olivia Zinzi The recent death of an octogenarian titan of 20th century sculpture, Richard Serra (1938-2024), is a fine opportunity to revisit the influential 1987 art law decision which gave wind to the sails of having moral rights integrated into the American legal system. Richard Serra, a celebrated and accomplished American artist, passed away
- [Protecting Culture in Times of Conflict](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/protecting-culture-in-times-of-conflict/) - By Eric J. Simon Armed conflicts can potentially destroy not only human lives but also entire cultures. As Dr. Patty Gerstenblith, Distinguished Research Professor of Law at DePaul University, stated during her keynote address at the Kernochan Center’s symposium on Protecting Cultural Property, the significance of the destruction of cultural heritage sites “lies in the
- [Case Review: Rauschenberg Estate Saga of Trust and Fees Explained, Again](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-rauschenberg-estate-saga-of-trust-and-fees-explained-again/) - By Samantha Elie As the Center for Art Law already reported in Rauschenberg Estate Saga of Trust and Fees Explained, the three trustees of a revocable trust that named the Rauschenberg Foundation as the sole remainder beneficiary became entangled in litigation with the Foundation. Following a Petition by the Foundation to determine trustee’s fees on
- [Rights: Investigating and Prosecuting Kleptocracy in Malaysia](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/rights-investigating-and-prosecuting-kleptocracy-in-malaysia/) - By Khamal Patterson 942. Misappropriating public funds by a public official is a criminal offense under Malaysian law, as enumerated by the Penal Code of Malaysia, including but not limited to sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 405 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant or agent), 166 (Public servant
- [The Cost of Donating Artwork:  Can Artists Afford to Donate Their Own Artwork?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-cost-of-donating-artwork-can-artists-afford-to-donate-their-own-artwork/) - By Emma Kleiner At the Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, the Healing Art Program’s mission is to fill the hospital with art that lifts the spirits of the patients and creates a serene environment. Lauren Rabb, the Curator of the Healing Art Program, manages that task, which includes arranging works from the hospital’s private
- ["Caveat Emptor": The New York Times Examines Buying Art Online](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/caveat-emptor-the-new-york-times-examines-buying-art-online/) - The innovations of modern technology have created many opportunities to broaden the art market, allowing more artists, galleries, and dealers to reach a wider range of buyers. However, it has also created new mechanisms by which sham artists can take advantage of unsuspecting consumers worldwide. In her piece "Growth in Online Art Market Brings More Fraud,"
- [Art Donations 101: a Guide for Artists, Collectors, and Nonprofits](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-donations-101-a-guide-for-artists-collectors-and-nonprofits/) - By Hannah Tager In the Summer 2019, the Center for Art Law hosted its first charitable auction, during which it considered: how can artists and donors receive tax benefits for donating artworks to a non-profit organization? As it turns out, the answer is a bit lengthier than one might expect. The Current Legal Landscape The
- [Case Review: Christie's v. Jombihis](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-christies-v-jombihis/) - By David Honig, Esq. What happens when you place a multi-million dollar winning bid on a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting on behalf of a client, and your principle (a.k.a. the client) has a change of heart about purchasing the work? This is the situation in which famed New York art dealer Jose Mugrabi recently found himself.
- [Unexpected Deregulation: New York City Shakes Up Art Market by Repealing Long-Standing Auction Industry Regulations](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/unexpected-deregulation-new-york-city-shakes-up-art-market-by-repealing-long-standing-auction-industry-regulations/) - While the repeal has surprised many due to its unforeseen nature, it seems unlikely to result in as much change as some may have feared. Disclosures, which improve transparency, consistency, and equal access to information, as well as upholding ethical standards, contribute to client confidence and serve the interests of both auction houses and their clientele. Due to the pervasive lack of transparency in the art market, discerning any changes will always remain challenging. Nevertheless, given the significant financial stakes involved in these auctions, clients are unlikely to persist in participating if they perceive any form of exploitation or mistreatment. Consequently, one could contend that even in the absence of specific regulations, the industry is incentivized to uphold these practices for the preservation of the auction process’s integrity. Furthermore, the deregulation might even present an opportunity for auction houses to demonstrate their dedication to ethical standards and to their clients. This could potentially distinguish them from other players in the industry that may choose to embrace the new freedoms.
- [Case Review: RF and Bulatov v. Tsvetkova and other charges against an artist](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-rf-and-bulatov-v-tsvetkova-and-other-charges-against-an-artist/) - By Irina Strelkovskaya Background Yulia Tsvetkova is an artist and LGBTQ+ and women’s rights activist from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in the Far East of the Russian Federation. [1] In 2018, Tsvetkova began her activism and opened a city community center for civic initiatives, where she hosted weekly lectures, called “Living Library” sessions, to support groups for schoolchildren
- [The Rubin is Transforming...? Chelsea Museum to Himalayan Art to Close in 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/the-rubin-is-transforming-chelsea-museum-to-himalayan-art-to-close-in-2024/) - By Claire Killian Introduction: What’s Happening? The impending closure of the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City marks a change in the cultural landscape of the city and beyond. For two decades, at home in Chelsea, the museum has been celebrated for its extensive collection of Himalayan art, its innovative programming, and its
- [Artist Feature Series: In Conversation with Vincent Inconiglios](https://itsartlaw.org/art-lawartartist-feature-series/artist-feature-series-in-conversation-with-vincent-inconiglios/) - By Atreya Mathur While creativity and self-expression are at the heart of any artistic practice, navigating the business realities of a career in the arts also requires consideration in legal and financial matters. However, many emerging and even established artists don’t receive formal training in areas like copyright, contracts, taxes or estate planning. Center for
- [The Latest in Nazi-Era Restitution Efforts](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-latest-in-nazi-era-restitution-efforts/) - By Bianca Acquaviva Over seventy years after the end of World War II and there is still much work to be done in the restitution of Holocaust-era looted art works. Even since 1998, the signing and adoption of the Washington Principles, many of the signatories are still doing very little in terms of finding “fair and
- [15 Years Later: Marking a Milestone for the Holocaust Claims Restitution Practicum](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/15-years-later-marking-a-milestone-for-the-holocaust-claims-restitution-practicum/) - By Irina Tarsis, Esq. 2015 marked the fifteenth Anniversary of the Holocaust Claims Restitution Practicum (HCRP, the Practicum) at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Cardozo). The program was inaugurated in the spring of 2000, less than two years after the 1998 Washington Conference on Holocaust Era Assets, which brought together representatives from over 40
- [Case Review: Rybolovlev v. Bouvier](https://itsartlaw.org/case-review/case-review-rybolovlev-v-bouvier/) - By Chris Michaels A criminal complaint filed in the principality of Monaco on January 12, 2015 sent shockwaves through the international art market. In it, Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, businessman and owner of the AS Monaco football club, reportedly alleged fraud and money laundering against Yves Bouvier, a Swiss art dealer and president of Natural
- [Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow: Covenants Not to Compete Between Auction Houses](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/parting-is-such-sweet-sorrow-covenants-not-to-compete-between-auction-houses/) - By Elizabeth Weber, Esq. Covenants not to compete (CNCs), also called non-compete clauses or simply non-competes, are commonplace in employment contracts. Generally, CNCs seek to prevent an employee from leaving his or her current employer to work for a direct competitor. CNCs typically last for a set period of time and only pertain to a
- [Smaller World](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/smaller-world/) - By Kodai Kimura During my stay in New York City, one of my favorite pastimes was visiting public works of art and fantastic museums. One day when I was walking along 55th street humming a Beatles song I came across a public piece of artwork, the “LOVE” sculpture by the American artist, Robert Indiana. I
- [Statkun v. Gasser and Grunert: Another VARA Claim on the Table in the Southern District of New York](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/statkun-v-gasser-and-grunert-another-vara-claim-on-the-table-in-the-southern-district-of-new-york/) - Joseph Marino Statkun has filed a lawsuit against the gallery owners Klemens Gasser and Tanjay Grunert claiming damages under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA), 17 U.S.C. § 106A (1990). The Gasser Grunert Gallery sold Statkun's painting Tubal Cain at Beggar's Creek on August 11, 2010 for $16,000. At the time of sale 10 inches
- [Suing Cargo Largo, Pak Mail and UPS in Florida for Art Theft](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/suing-cargo-largo-pak-mail-and-ups-in-florida-for-art-theft/) - By Elizabeth Weber, Esq. The Supreme Court of Florida recently reinstated an art theft lawsuit between artist Ivana Vidovic Mlinar (Vidovic) and three defendants - the United Parcel Service Co. (UPS); Pak Mail, a South Florida packing store and UPS shipping service provider; and Cargo Largo, UPS’s lost goods contractor. Mlinar v. United Parcel Service
- [Assets to Auctions: The Role of Art in Bankruptcy Proceedings](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/assets-to-auctions-the-role-of-art-in-bankruptcy-proceedings/) - By Iris Ziwei Che In the world of financial instability, the U.S. Bankruptcy Code serves as a source of hope, offering structured pathways for recovery and solvency. Navigating the complexities of bankruptcy law reveals a multifaceted system carefully crafted to address the financial troubles of individuals, businesses, cities, and non-profits alike. This article explores the
- [Interview with Apsara Iyer on Getting into the Art Law Space](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/interview-with-apsara-iyer-on-getting-into-the-art-law-space/) - By Hannah Gadway Education B.A. in Spanish and Economics & Math at Yale University (2012-2016) MPhil at Oxford University (2016-2018) Currently pursuing a J.D. at Harvard Law School (2020-2024) Additional Reading Apsara Iyer, et al., Heritage and Criminal Sanction, Routledge Handbook of Heritage and the Law (2024). Jo B. Lemann, et al., Harvard Law Review
- [WYWH: "Restitution of Nazi-Looted Art: The Next 25 Years"](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-restitution-of-nazi-looted-art-the-next-25-years/) - By Amanda Buonaiuto Since the signing of the Washington Principles 25 years ago, some (remarkable or not enough is subject to debate) progress has been made to address the restitution of Nazi-looted art, particularly within signatory countries such as Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. These nations, having established restitution Commissions under Article
- [The (Red)Bubble of Legal Protections for Digital Art Marketplaces](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-redbubble-of-legal-protections-for-digital-art-marketplaces/) - By Hannah Gadway Introduction: Protecting Art Online As the Internet has become a substantial channel for consumption and dissemination of visual content as well as revenue for visual artists, digital art theft has grown. A simple screenshot of an unwatermarked image can allow infringers to reproduce the art on other merchandize and websites, convert it
- [A MSCHF-ious take on Copyright, Fair Use and Appropriation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/a-mschf-ious-take-on-copyright-fair-use-and-appropriation/) - By Atreya Mathur ​​In a world where creativity knows no bounds and the lines between art, inspiration and infringement blur, one art collective stands at the forefront of pushing these boundaries. From crowd-sourcing and domain squatting websites for the next U.S. president to a frame-by-frame recreation of the entire Bee movie, MSCHF is redefining what
- [Case Review: Reif, et al. v. The Art Institute of Chicago (2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/reif-v-aic/) - By Amanda Buonaiuto Introduction The legal case Reif, et al v. The Art Institute of Chicago,[1] brought by the heirs of Fritz Grünbaum, a prominent Jewish cabaret performer and art collector. Grünbaum’s heirs sought declaratory judgment, conversion, and replevin in connection with the alleged theft of Egon Schiele's masterpiece, Russian Prisoner of War (1916). The
- [Book Review: The Art Collecting Legal Handbook, Bruno W. Boesch And Massimo Sterpi, eds. (3rd ed., 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/the-art-collecting-legal-handbook-third-edition-boesch-and-sterpi/) - By Briana Pierre In 2023, two of the leading art attorneys and scholars Bruno W. Boesch (Switzerland) and Massimo Sterpi (Italy) revised and released the third edition of The Art Collecting Legal Handbook, acquainting readers with the legal procedures of acquiring digital art like Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”). Beginning with COVID's impact on auction markets and
- [Compliance and Risk Management In the Art World](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/compliance-and-risk-management-in-the-art-world/) - By Rebecca Goldfarb The art world serves a purpose to elevate human creativity, but all beauty comes with certain risks. From environmental sustainability to safety considerations, there is a strong need for governance and risk mitigation within the art world. The artistic process can pose dangerous hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals and injuries when setting
- [Appropriation or Art? Court Orders Richard Prince to Pay Damages in Highly Anticipated Copyright Lawsuit](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/appropriation-or-art-court-orders-richard-prince-to-pay-damages-in-highly-anticipated-copyright-lawsuit/) - By Olivia Zinzi On January 25, 2024, Judge Sidney H. Stein in the Southern District of New York issued a final judgment in Graham v. Prince and McNatt v. Prince, resolving a yearslong legal debate.[1] In 2015 and 2016, two photographers brought copyright lawsuits against American artist Richard Prince and co-defendants Laurence Gagosian, Gagosian Gallery
- [Is it Strictly Business?: Shifts in the Artist-Dealer Landscape](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/is-it-strictly-business-shifts-in-the-artist-dealer-landscape/) - The relationship between gallery and artist has long been compared to that of a marriage. Historically, a single dealer nurtured an artist’s career. In exchange, the artist exclusively sold their work with that dealer.
- [US Museums Return Schiele artworks to the heirs of Fritz Grünbaum](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/us-museums-return-schiele-artworks-to-the-heirs-of-fritz-grunbaum/) - By Amanda Buonaiuto In 1941, a successful and outspoken cabaret performer, Franz Friedrich "Fritz" Grünbaum, died in the Dachau concentration camp. He was 60 years old. In 2023, after years of legal battles, in a historic move, several U.S. museums have returned 9 artworks to the heirs of Fritz Grünbaum. The saga of the Grünbaum
- [Book Review: "Art Law: A Concise Guide for Artists, Curators, and Art Educators"(2016)](https://itsartlaw.org/book-review/book-review-art-law-a-concise-guide-for-artists-curators-and-art-educators2016/) - By Wylie Rechler Ever wonder about the processes, complexities, and challenges revolving around an artist’s journey from studio to international renown? Or a collector’s campaign from inheritance to resale of an artwork with questionable title? Or a museum’s interactions with an artist’s intricate and controversial body of work so as to make it comprehensible for
- [WYWH: Lesley Rosenthal & Kim Shariff from the Lincoln Center (Apr. 12, 2010)](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/deans-speaker-series-lesley-rosenthal-lincoln-center/) - MYTHS ABOUT BECOMING AN ART LAWYER Lesley Rosenthal (Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary), and Kimberly Ayers Shariff (Deputy General Counsel) of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts spoke on April 12, 2010 as part of the Dean’s Speakers Series. The speakers corrected some misconceptions that students may have about working as a lawyer for
- [Broad or narrow: Taxman reviews “Private” Museums](https://itsartlaw.org/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/broad-or-narrow-taxman-reviews-private-museums/) - By David Honig Last year, on November 20, 2015, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) launched a review of eleven US private museums in response to a recent New York Times Article that exposes a possibility for abuse of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Every “domestic or foreign organization described in section 501(c)(3)” is considered a private foundation, unless
- [Spotlight: The Max Stern Art Restitution Project](https://itsartlaw.org/spotlight/spotlight-the-max-stern-art-restitution-project/) - By Ryan Igel The Max Stern Art Restitution Project (the “Project”), established in 2002, is tasked with locating the paintings Jewish art dealer Max Stern (April 18, 1904 - May 30, 1987) was forced to sell during the Second World War, and return them to his heirs. The Project was established at the direction of
- [Diversity-Fraud: Accent Delight v. Sotheby’s](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/diversity-fraud-accent-delight-v-sothebys/) - By Suzanna Neal and the Center for Art Law Team On January 30th, 2024, the trial of Accent Delight International Ltd. (Accent Delight), an offshore company with Dmitry Rybolovlev as the ultimate beneficial owner, v. Sotheby’s, an international auction house, was put to rest after the jury decided in favor of Sotheby’s. Specifically the jury
- [Realities of Fan Fiction: Paramout To Boldly Drop Lawsuit](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/realities-of-fan-fiction-paramout-to-boldly-drop-lawsuit/) - By David Honig In 1966 the world was introduced to the crew of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701! On September 8, 2016, 50 years will have passed since we joined that intrepid crew on its five year mission. Over the course of a half century Star Trek has amassed a following unlike any other. The original
- [WYWH: Legal Primer for Artists: Leasing Commercial and Residential Space & Dealing with Tax Issues (Jun. 9, 2016)](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-legal-primer-for-artists-leasing-commercial-and-residential-space-dealing-with-tax-issues/) - By Center for Art Law Team Preoccupied with their work, artists often neglect reaching out to accountants and attorneys for advice on how best to brace themselves for possible issues they may encounter. Among an artist’s various legal considerations, contracts are perhaps the most important. Contracts can be forged for consignment agreements with galleries and
- [No Secrets about Money Laundering](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/no-secrets-about-money-laundering/) - By David Honig, Esq. Aside from drugs, art is the largest unregulated market in the world. ~ The Mona Lisa Curse Why does it seem like most notorious drug dealers and dictators have vast collections of art? Part of the reason is that most people love art and it happens to be easy to hide.
- [The Inside Job: Who is Protecting Art Museums from Themselves?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-inside-job-who-is-protecting-art-museums-from-themselves/) - By Lily Elkwood When most people think of art theft, they imagine something out of a spy movie, a villain trying to steal a masterpiece or a criminal mastermind in his evil lair plotting how to evade the highest security measures. In many cases, art thieves are the very individuals responsible for taking care of
- [WYWH: “Art Law Colloquium: Provenance Research & the Law” with Megan Bill](https://itsartlaw.org/wish-you-were-here/wywh-art-law-colloquium-provenance-research-the-law-with-megan-bill/) - By Harper Johnson On January 26, 2024, the Center for Art Law hosted a virtual Art Law Colloquium on Provenance Research & the Law, with guest speaker Meghan Bill. Bill is the Coordinator of Provenance Research at the Brooklyn Museum and has worked at the Museum for about 10 years. She is also currently earning
- [WYWH: Knoedler Trial Cut Short (Week 3)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/wywh-knoedler-trial-cut-short-week-3/) - By Center for Art Law Team The disappointment of the De Soles’ settling their case against Ann Freedman on Sunday night (February 7, 2016), paled in comparison with the disappointment of the remaining defendants, Knoedler and 8-31 Holdings, settling with the De Soles on Tuesday afternoon, two days later. Though the settlement seemed like a
- [Who owns African Art?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/who-owns-african-art/) - By Delela Ndela and Adenike Fapohunda The ongoing conversation about the ownership of African art tends to center historical works and cultural artifacts. From the Benin Bronzes to the body of Sarah Bartmann, the relationship between African cultural production and the west has been characterized in great part by theft, violence, and the outright objectification
- [The Art Criminal Unmasked: Art and the Law of Criminal Profiling  ](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-art-criminal-unmasked-art-and-the-law-of-criminal-profiling/) - By Madeleine Conlin From the editors: Who would do such a thing?! Stage a dated scene to create provenance for a forged painting? Donate forgeries to museums under a false name? Consign and sell art without true or correct ownership history? Art and cultural property theft as well as production of fakes and forgeries may
- [Parody: Perspectives from the U.S and Japan](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/parody-perspectives-from-the-u-s-and-japan/) - By Ayaka Isaji[1] Introduction: What are parodies? What kind of artworks do you think of when you hear the word "parody"?[2][3] The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai or Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci[4] are some of the most parodied masterpieces. While there is no strict definition of parody, it is generally thought of as
- [Cultural Property, Policy, and Politics: Safeguarding China’s Antiquities through Bilateral Agreements](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/cultural-property-policy-and-politics-safeguarding-chinas-antiquities-through-bilateral-agreements/) - By Roxana Wang Chinese cultural property has a history of being vulnerable to illicit trafficking. The scattering of invaluable Chinese artifacts during the “century of humiliation (1839-1949)” is frequently evoked in China’s national narrative. While cultural property lost in the 19th and early 20th centuries is hard to reverse, China is taking action to stall
- [Bring Me the Head of King David: Questions of Attribution and the Responsibility of Museums](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/bring-me-the-head-of-king-david-questions-of-attribution-and-the-responsibility-of-museums/) - By Center for Art Law Team Art forgery has long been a siren of the art world. Dark yet beguiling, it ranges from misidentification of orphaned works to forgers deliberately passing off fakes on the market. Some forgeries gain notoriety because they contain all the elements of catch-me-if-you-can intrigue: outsmarting experts, creating intricate webs of
- [Common European Heritage: The French and Dutch Government Joint Acquisition of Two Rembrandt Portraits](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/common-european-heritage-the-french-and-dutch-government-joint-acquisition-of-two-rembrandt-portraits/) - “Madame le ministre, Ladies and gentlemen, We hébben ze! Nous les avons! We have got them!’’ — Speech by Dutch Minister for Education, Culture and Science Jet Bussemaker at the official signing ceremony for the Rembrandt portrait purchase By Ana T. Iacob On February 1, 2016, France and the Netherlands jointly acquired two works by Rembrandt van
- [Art in the Courtroom: Dealing with New Deal-era Murals – Part I](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/art-in-the-courtroom-dealing-with-new-deal-era-murals-part-i/) - By Olivia Taylor. Fans of Parks and Recreation may remember an episode which revolves around a 1930’s mural painted on the walls of Pawnee City Hall. In the show, the mural was vandalized by offended citizens because it depicted racist scenes from U.S. history. In response to the public’s unease, the town renamed the mural and wrote a statement instructing viewers that they should consider the piece as both historically important and artistic, yet horrifying and shameful.
- [Case Review: Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-review-cassirer-v-thyssen-bornemisza-collection-foundation/) - By Timothy Chung. The topic of art restitution is no easy subject to broach. The objects in question frequently carry with them grim histories, often filled with heartache and tragedy in equal measure. Too often, looted objects can never be reunited with their owners or rightful heirs before the proper chain of title is discovered. The artwork in dispute in Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation is no exception in this regard. Its story is one steeped in melancholy, and like many other cases concerning Nazi-looted art, it begins with a museum.
- [Repatriation, Reconciliation, and the Nuxalk Totem Pole](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/repatriation-reconciliation-and-the-nuxalk-totem-pole-2/) - By Beverly Osazuwa In February 2023, the Nuxalkmc (Nuxalk People) celebrated the return of a totem pole that was held by the Royal British Columbia (BC) Museum for over 100 years. Hereditary Chief Snuxyaltwa (Deric Snow), who led the ceremony and the repatriation process, shared with CBC News that the totem pole was carved by
- [Back in 2023: Comment from Center for Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/back-in-2023-comment-from-center-for-art-law/) - Nobody and nothing knows what's expecting us in 2024, not even AI. Last year, when the Copyright Office asked for comments on how and if to regulate AI, the Center for Art Law submitted a comment that starts as following... "This is a submission from the Center for Art Law in response to the Request
- [State of the Art: Introduction to Patent Law](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-history/state-of-the-art-introduction-to-patent-law/) - By David Honig A common question in the legal, intellectual property, world is whether something is patentable. For example, is making Balloon Dogs sculptures patentable? After all, a patent provides a huge amount of legal protection. However, unlike its intellectual property sister, copyright, patents don’t protect creativity but rather novelty. While creativity and novelty have
- [Museums, Heritage, and Digital Art: An Interview with Franco Losi of Cinello](https://itsartlaw.org/interview/museums-heritage-and-digital-art-an-interview-with-franco-losi-of-cinello/) - By Alisa Grisin In the Spring of 2022, intern Alisa Grishin interviewed Franco Losi from the company Cinello. At the time, Cinello received attention for creating digital copies of paintings in four major Italian museums. These digital copies, called DAWs, were made to be bought by private audiences with Cinello and each individual museum splitting
- [FBI with New Information on the 1990 Gardner Museum Heist?](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/fbi-with-new-information-on-the-1990-gardner-museum-heist/) - By Irina Tarsis On March 18, 2013, the day which marked the 23rd anniversary of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum Heist, FBI announced it had new information about the heist. What followed the announcement has been almost as interesting, FBI has been criticized for releasing no new information, when they solicited information from "those
- [Litigation v. Artful Resolution: Using ADR Methods to Resolve Art-Related Disputes](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/adr-for-art-disputes/) - By Lauren Gowler Picture this. You’ve recently purchased a rare Picasso painting from an auction house for millions of dollars. Your new prized possession has come with a “certificate of authenticity,” but soon after the leading expert on Pablo Picasso remarks that the painting may be inauthentic. This expert, who assembles the catalog raisonne, decides
- [Interview with Oleksandr Novikov about War & Art efforts spearheaded by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) in Ukraine](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/interview-with-oleksandr-novikov-about-war-art-efforts-spearheaded-by-the-national-agency-on-corruption-prevention-nacp-in-ukraine/) - EDUCATION 1999-2004 – Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University. 2003-2004 – National Prosecution academy of Ukraine 2021-2022 – Kyiv-Mohyla Business School (KMBS). ADDITIONAL READING ‘No Return to the Past:’ The Man Leading Ukraine’s fightback Against Corruption Ukraine Launches Database to Track Art Owned by Sanctioned Russians Ukraine Govt. Agency Removes SRK From Its List of International War Sponsors
- [The Commodity of Colored Bricks: The Limitations of Art in the Real Estate Market](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/commodity-of-colored-bricks/) - By Stephanie Nicole Argueta Murals have long been celebrated as a powerful medium of artistic expression, capable of transforming public spaces, conveying cultural narratives, and creating a sense of identity within communities. However, in recent years, the legality of murals in the United States is not without its challenges, especially with regards to murals made
- [Case Review: Thaler v. Perlmutter (2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/case-summary-and-review-thaler-v-perlmutter/) - By Atreya Mathur In August 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, under the jurisdiction of Judge Beryl A. Howell, rendered a decision in Thaler v. Perlmutter, addressing the refusal by the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO) to register an AI-generated visual work titled "A Recent Entrance to Paradise." Stephen Thaler, the plaintiff,
- [A Rose Enigma: Pending (Right) Protection](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/rose-enigma/) - By Atreya Mathur Introduction: From Zarya of the Dawn to Rose Enigma The US Copyright Office (USCO) issued a pivotal decision regarding the copyright registration of "Zarya of the Dawn," a graphic novel that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) in the image creation process. Authored by Kris Kashtanova, the graphic novel utilized the Midjourney AI platform
- [A Historical and Cultural View of Many Lives of Looting: A Conservation with Philippe de Montebello](https://itsartlaw.org/opinion/a-historical-and-cultural-view-of-many-lives-of-looting-a-conservation-with-philippe-de-montebello/) - By Barbie Kim Philippe de Montebello is the Fiske Kimball Professor in the History and Culture of Museums at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. Author of multiple essays and books, including Rendez-vous with Art and Whose Muse?: Art Museums and the Public Trust, de Montebello was the longest-tenured director of the Metropolitan
- [The Fate of the ARR Within the Contemporary Landscape of the Art Market in the U.K. and Australia](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/the-fate-of-the-arr-within-the-contemporary-landscape-of-the-art-market-in-the-u-k-and-australia/) - By Angelica Fromer The nexus relationship between art and finance has invited an ample influx of capital into the art market, particularly the resale of contemporary art at auction. One could say that the emergence of the artworld as a new financial frontier has revitalized an expanded range of ultra-wealthy buyers competing for high priced
- [5 Charged with Selling Non-Genuine Native Goods: A Violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/5-charged-with-selling-non-genuine-native-goods-a-violation-of-the-indian-arts-and-crafts-act/) - By Lillia McEnaney Center for Art Law previously reported In Brief that, in March 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Alaska charged a handful of individuals with violating the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA). Following is an in depth background of the case and a discussion of relevant statutes The
- [HEAR and the Guelph Treasure Recovery Efforts: Restitution in Review](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-heritage/hear-and-the-guelph-treasure-recovery-efforts-restitution-in-review/) - By Nina Mesfin On June 7, 2016, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard a bipartisan-backed piece of legislation called the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, S. 2763, 114th Cong. (2016). As recently reported by Center for Art Law and elsewhere, the HEAR Act aims to allow “civil claims or causes of action to recover artwork
- [Whose Rights? Anish Kapoor’s "Dirty Corner" Exposes A Battle Between Artists’ Moral Rights and The Rights of the Public](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/whose-rights-anish-kapoors-dirty-corner-exposes-a-battle-between-artists-moral-rights-and-the-rights-of-the-public/) - By Adrienne Couraud In 2008, President of the L’Établissement public du château, du musée, et du domaine national de Versailles, Jean-Jacques Aillagon debuted a series of solo art shows and temporary art installations at the house and gardens of the Chateau de Versailles. Beginning with the summer solo retrospective of American artist Jeff Koons, the

## Pages

- [Where Art Meets Law](https://itsartlaw.org/) - Center for Art Law is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit dedicated to providing educational resources and programming at the intersection of art and law. Founded in 2009 as an online resource, it has grown into a leading independent organization in the U.S., serving a global community of artists, lawyers, students, and scholars.
- [Membership](https://itsartlaw.org/become-a-member/)
- [Judith Bresler Fellowship](https://itsartlaw.org/judith-bresler-fellowship/)
- [Internship and Fellowship Programs](https://itsartlaw.org/internship-and-fellowship-programs/)
- [Mission](https://itsartlaw.org/mission/)
- [Current & Past Sponsors](https://itsartlaw.org/current-past-sponsors/) - Center for Art Law recognizes and wholeheartedly thanks the following organizations for their generous patronage
- [Media Mentions & Testimonials](https://itsartlaw.org/media-mentions/)
- [Art Law Conference 2026](https://itsartlaw.org/2026-art-law-conference-new-york-city/)
- [Annual Art Law Conference 2026 Silent Auction](https://itsartlaw.org/silent-auction-2026/) - Thank you to all who donated to the Center for Art Law's Silent Auction which is being held in conjunction with the Annual Art Law Conference 2026. The Silent Auction supports the Center for Art Law’s mission to advance artists’ rights and provide accessible legal resources to the artistic community. All proceeds go directly toward
- [Our Archives](https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-archives/)
- [Center for Art Law Podcast: ART IN BRIEF (est. 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/podcast-art-in-brief/)
- [International Courses](https://itsartlaw.org/international-courses/)
- [Art Law Courses and Programs Worldwide](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-courses-and-programs-worldwide/)
- [Annual Conferences](https://itsartlaw.org/annual-conferences/)
- [Boards](https://itsartlaw.org/boards/)
- [Let us include your art (Silent "Art & Law" Auction 2026)](https://itsartlaw.org/let-us-include-your-art-silent-art-law-auction-2026/) - On May 27, 2026, during our Annual Art Law Conference, we are hosting a Silent Auction. In 2019, 2021, and 2024, the Center for Art Law held Art & Law Auctions (first in person, second online, and third as a silent auction) to celebrate the connections between art and law and to help us advance
- [Center for Art Law Summer School 2026](https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-summer-school-2026/)
- [Group Dashboard](https://itsartlaw.org/group-dashboard-2/) - Your Institutional Subsription Welcome to the Center for Art Law! We are looking forward to your group making use of our resources. Please add contact information for each group member below.
- [Nazi-era Disputed Art: Research and Restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/annual-conferences/2025-nazi-era-disputed-art-research-and-restitution/)
- [Law Firms](https://itsartlaw.org/law-firms/)
- [Nazi-Era Looted Art: Research and Restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/nazi-era-looted-art-research-and-restitution/) - DISCLAIMER: This resource is intended to be for research and educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Should readers require advice on relevant restitution matters, they should consult an attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction. Currently, the primary visual representation available is a timeline that traces the journey toward restitution for each
- [Subscribe](https://itsartlaw.org/subscribe/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://itsartlaw.org/privacy-policy/) - Last updated January 29, 2026 Whereas... For the purposes of our users' privacy, Center for Art Law, Inc., (the “Center,” "we," "our") collects personal information and is responsible for deciding how personal data is used and disclosed. The following contains important information about the personal information we may collect, how it may be used, your rights
- [Corporate Subscription](https://itsartlaw.org/corporate-subscription/) - Welcome!
- [Institutional Subscriber Instructions Page](https://itsartlaw.org/institutional-subscriber-landing-page/) - Dear Institutional Subscribers, Welcome to the Center for Art Law! Please email us at artlawteam@itsartlaw.org or reach out to your Center for Art Law contact with your institutional email domain name (eg. itsartlaw.org) and we will set up your unlimited access. We are looking forward to sharing our resources with your colleagues and team members,
- [Account](https://itsartlaw.org/account/) - Your Subscription Thank you for choosing the Center for Art Law! As a Premium Member, you enjoy access to the following resources and perks:
- [Support Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/donate/support-art-law-2025-year-end-campaign/)
- [Guidelines for AI and Art Authentication](https://itsartlaw.org/ai-and-art-authentication-guidelines/) - Last Updated: November 14, 2025 This resource is intended to be for educational purposes only and does not offer legal advice. Readers who require advice on preparing and using AI systems in their work should consult an attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction. Please note that Guidelines are subject to updates and changes.
- [Case Law Database](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-database/)
- [Annual Reports](https://itsartlaw.org/annual-reports/)
- [Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and the Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/aml-and-the-art-market-study/) - This resource is intended to be for educational purposes only and does not offer legal advice. Readers who require advice on relevant Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations should consult an attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction. Please note that regulations are subject to updates and change.
- [Resources](https://itsartlaw.org/cfal-resources/)
- [Art & Copyright Law Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/art-and-copyright-law-clinic/)
- [Art Law Library](https://itsartlaw.org/the-art-law-library/)
- [Visual Artists’ Legal Clinics](https://itsartlaw.org/visual-artists-legal-clinics/)
- [All Events](https://itsartlaw.org/all-events/)
- [Log in](https://itsartlaw.org/login/) - https://itsartlaw.org/login/
- [Donate](https://itsartlaw.org/donate/)
- [Center for Art Law Summer School 2025](https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-summer-school-2025/)
- [Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/visual-artists-immigration-clinic/)
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic/)
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic/)
- [Contact Us](https://itsartlaw.org/contact-us/) - Have any questions? We are ready to help!
- [Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities](https://itsartlaw.org/sponsorship/)
- [Giving Tuesday 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/giving-tuesday-2024/)
- [Team](https://itsartlaw.org/team/)
- [CFAL LP](https://itsartlaw.org/cfal-welcome/)
- [Institutional Recognition](https://itsartlaw.org/institutional-recognition/)
- [2022 Art Law Conference](https://itsartlaw.org/2022-art-law-conference/)
- [Let us include your art (Silent "Art & Law" Auction 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/look-out-the-auction-is-silent-2024/)
- [A Primer on Artist Trusts: Part 1](https://itsartlaw.org/a-primer-on-artist-trusts-part-1/) - About the Event The estate planning process can seem complicated with the number of options and buzzwords out there for securing a loved one's legacy--wills, trusts, estates, foundations. With all this floating around, it's difficult to know what the best choice is for your artist estate. Join the Center for Art Law, with Melissa Passman,
- [2023 Art Law Conference (New York City)](https://itsartlaw.org/2023-art-law-conference-entrance-to-paradise/)
- [ABC's of Art Law: B is for Blockchain](https://itsartlaw.org/abcs-of-art-law-b-is-for-blockchain/)
- [Newsletter Archives](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletter-archives/)
- ["Too Much"](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletter/oct-2023-too-much/) - “Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer…” From "The Merchant of Venice," Act 3, Scene 1 Wherever we are in the world, in France for Paris+for Art Basel, in NYC for Indian
- ["Pinkest Punk"](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletter/art-law-blast-9-2023-pinkest-punk/) - Art Law Blast | September 2023 | All puns are intended Dear Readers, Back to school, back to the drawing boards, back to color schemes and scheming. Our team would never dream of white or pink-washing anything (unlike the recent stunt in connection with the Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Former Studio (NYC)). Join us in welcoming: The
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-2/) - Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), that affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under
- [Worldwide Calendar](https://itsartlaw.org/worldwide-calendar/)
- [2015 Art Law Conference: Art, Law and Crises of Connoisseurship (London, UK)](https://itsartlaw.org/2015-art-law-conference/)
- [Sponsor a Summer Intern](https://itsartlaw.org/sponsor-a-summer-intern/) - Each summer, it has been our privilege to welcome talented and eager university and law students. Students learn so much from the wide range of issues we write and research about, and from being a subway-ride away from museums, galleries, and auction houses here in New York, and we aim to help them defray their
- ["Shaken, not stirred" Art Law Mixer 2014.1b](https://itsartlaw.org/shaken-not-stirred-art-law-mixer-2014-1b/)
- [Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletter/) - To read our "Art Law Blast" past or future, please visit Newsletter Archives or Subscribe.
- [Legal Sources](https://itsartlaw.org/findproggmail-com-7/) - Below is a list of useful links to laws, conventions, and agencies dealing with art law and cultural property matters, mostly in the United States. Laws Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq.Chapter 97 of Harmonized Tariffs ScheduleCultural Property Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq. Immunity from Seizure Act, 22
- [Let us feature your art (Art & Law Auction 2019)](https://itsartlaw.org/findproggmail-com-9/) - Center for Art Law is partnering with Paddle8 for our first charitable auction to celebrate our ten-year anniversary in the spring 2019. The Center for Art Law brings together two seemingly far removed worlds: law and the arts. Our mission is to provide artists and students of both disciplines with the right tools to know
- [Lessons Not Learned, Fraudsters in the Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/findproggmail-com-8/) - A walk down the memory lane with Larry Salander, Michel Cohen, David Ramos, Knoedler Gallery, Jonathan Poole, Ezra Chowaiki, and Inigo P. "F" is for Fraud; a theft by any other name would stick as foul. The story of fraud is as old as property law. Someone intentionally misrepresents something to someone who has something
- [Markets and Rules for Italian Cultural Heritage: From Art to Fashion (Feb. 22, 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/markets-and-rules-for-italian-cultural-heritage-from-art-to-fashion-feb-22-2023/) - About this event Connections between the United States and Italy and the roots of the New World’s fascination with the home of Renaissance run deep. American museums have purchased ancient objects excavated from the Italian soil, portraits of Italy’s prominent families, and American museum visitors and consumers increasingly admire Italy’s modern art and fashion. As
- [Join Us](https://itsartlaw.org/findproggmail-com-3/) - Center for Art Law is always looking to grow its ranks. Artists, historians, attorneys, students, designers, developers, investors, collectors, dealers - We Want You! What to expect in 2016? New partnerships, social and educational programming, and much more. Imagination and legal boundaries are our own limits. If you would like to become a contributor to
- [Join the Art Bar](https://itsartlaw.org/findproggmail-com-2/) - What is the Art Bar? At the Center for Art Law, we thrive to create a community of art and law enthusiasts who share a commitment to supporting the Center year-round. With a monthly donation of $11.00 (the price of a cocktail) or more, you can join the Art Bar and ensure that the Center
- [Keeping Artistic Legacy](https://itsartlaw.org/findproggmail-com-5/) - Keeping artistic legacy alive is not a sprint, it's a marathon. Those who are entrusted to take care of the works left by an artist and those who stand to benefit from their work and gifts, need to recognize the meticulous work that will go into developing and maintaining the artist’s post-mortem legacy. All involved
- [Insurance Providers](https://itsartlaw.org/insurance-providers/) - ARIS -- Read our Spotlight about this business.
- [In Brief](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/)
- [Host an Event](https://itsartlaw.org/host-an-event/) - Over the years, Center for Art Law has collaborated with law schools, galleries, museums and auction houses to offer educational and social events to those interested in art- and law-related topics. Please let us know if you are interested in hosting or organizing an art law event or program.
- [Information & Compliance: Legal Issues for Galleries](https://itsartlaw.org/information-compliance-legal-issues-for-galleries/) - No Virtual CLE Credit will be given to those watching the YouTube recording of this event. As the internet age grows around us, the world of art has also had to adapt and move into the digital plane. The purpose of this CLE program is to explore legal obligations that art businesses in general and
- [Heritage Preservation Efforts](https://itsartlaw.org/heritage-preservation-efforts/) - If you believe your organization should be listed here, please contact us. UK Trafficking Culture (Glasgow) This organization examines the contemporary global trade in looted cultural objects. more details... US Heritage Preservation: The National Institute for Conservation (Washington, DC) Heritage Preservation aims to preserve the cultural, historic, and scientific heritage of the United States via risk assessments, innovative
- [Heavy Lifting in Public Art](https://itsartlaw.org/heavy-lifting-in-public-art/) - Public art holds a special position and power in the world. Whether found in a park, a city square, or any other place where people pass and gather everyday, public works of art connect with communities in many powerful and direct ways. Its unique nature brings with it singular legal and practical challenges that are
- [Group Subscriptions](https://itsartlaw.org/group-subscriptions/) - Select benefits of our course subscriptions include: Supplementary resources for your students on a vast range of topics in art law.Articles on our blog that can spark ideas for papers or classroom discussions.Recordings of conversations among experts in the art law field.Materials that can be assigned to students to read or watch and then write
- [Group Member Activation](https://itsartlaw.org/group-member-activation/)
- [Gift Subscrption](https://itsartlaw.org/gift-subscrption/)
- [Forms and Pro formas](https://itsartlaw.org/forms-and-pro-formas/) - NYC -- http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/downloads/pdf/artist_certification.pdf Director of Artist Certification NYC Department of Cultural Affairs 31 Chambers Street New York, New York 10007 If you have any further questions regarding artist certification, you may call Artist Certification, Department of Cultural Affairs at (212) 513-9300.
- [From Analog To Digital](https://itsartlaw.org/from-analog-to-digital/) - The rise of digital collections and virtual reality exhibits is an exciting new art frontier that brings with it many legal and business implications for collectors and art law attorneys. What questions should collectors consider when acquiring art for physical and digital collections? What legal and business issues are relevant for collectors and private museums
- [Film Library](https://itsartlaw.org/film-library/) - How to Steal a Million (1966), preview here. F for Fake (1973) -- Directed by Orson Welles Thomas Crown Affair The Heist Rape of Europa Monuments Men Art School Confidential Woman in Gold (2015) Herb & Dorothy (2008) Vogel 50x50
- [Fiction](https://itsartlaw.org/fiction/) - Lee, Wendy, The Art of Confidence. (November 2016) (ISBN: 978-1617734892).A fictional take on art fraud, The Art of Confidence centers around a Chinese immigrant painter named Liu Qingwu who is coerced into creating a forgery of version of a well-known modernist masterpiece. With echoes of the real-life forger Pei-Shen Qian, the book tries to examine the
- [Estate Planning for Art Collectors](https://itsartlaw.org/estate-planning-for-art-collectors/) - Center for Art Law and Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP are excited to present a CLE event on the topic of Estate Planning for Art Collectors. From antiquities to NFT's, collectors of art have eclectic tastes that may or may not be shared by their heirs. Join our panelists as they discuss issues that all
- [Demystifying Art Funds](https://itsartlaw.org/demystifying-art-funds/) - Over the past decade, fine art has proven itself to be a viable non-traditional asset, and as a result, the number of art investment funds has surged, to enable investors to acquire artworks and to grow their portfolio of investments. What is an art fund? How are art funds established, structured, and managed? Why should
- [Cultural Institutions w/ In-House General Counsel](https://itsartlaw.org/cultural-institutions-w-in-house-general-counsel/) - United States Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum of Modern Art Ronald F. Cuffe, Esquire General Counsel United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 100 Rauol Wallenberg Place, S.W. Washington, DC 20024 Judith E. Leonard, Esquire General Counsel Smithsonian Institute 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW #302 Washington, DC 20560 Thompson M. Mayes, Esquire Deputy General Counsel National Trust
- [Center for Art Law x New York Law School Art Guide](https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-x-new-york-law-school-art-guide/) - Art Guide Center for Art Law collaborated with New York Law School for the Art Law Conference 2022. One of the panels of the Conference highlighted the Emilio Sanchez artwork collection at New York Law School and focused on creative legacy and estate planning for artists. Members of the Center for Art Law Summer Team
- [Case Law Corner – Archives 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-corner-archives-2018/) - Below are our selected archives of 2018 art law cases, organized by date of filing or opinion. If you are looking for a specific case, you can use the shortcut CTRL+F and search by keyword. Last updated: Nov. 1, 2019. January 2018 Hearty v. The Bonfoey Company, 1:18-cv-00015 (N.D. Ohio Jan. 3, 2018) Plaintiffs, a married
- [Case Law Corner – Archives 2021](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-corner-archives-2021/) - Keeping track of lawsuits involving artworks, cultural property, artists' estates, galleries, etc. Jump to a month: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December Find past archives: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 Last updated: February 22, 2022. From the December
- [Books: General](https://itsartlaw.org/books-general/) - Ben-Dor, Oren (editor), Law and Art: Justice, Ethics and Aesthetics (August 2011) (ISBN: 9780415560214). "In engaging with the full range of the arts, contributors to this volume consider the relationship between law, justice, the ethical and the aesthetic.... The insights presented in this collection disturb and supplement conventional accounts of justice, inaugurating new possibilities for addressing the
- [Books: Museum History](https://itsartlaw.org/books-museum-history/) - James Stourton, Kenneth Clark: Life, Art and Civilisation (November 2016) (ISBN:978-0385351171) This publication provides an in-depth look at the life of Kenneth Clark - director of the National Gallery, art historian and pioneer of British television arts programming - and tells the story of twentieth-century art. Available for purchase here. Jenkins, Tiffany, Keeping Their Marbles (May 2016)
- [Books: Specific Art Subjects, Restoration, & Forgery](https://itsartlaw.org/books-specific-art-subjects-restoration-forgery/) - Allen, Greg (editor), The Deposition of Richard Prince - In the Case of Prince v. Cariou, et al (March 2013) (ISBN: 978-3952339145). "Edited by American artist and blogger Greg Allen, this book contains the published transcript of Richard Prince during the copyright infringement case against him by French photographer Patrick Cariou...In the transcripts, which cover several
- [Books: Nazi Era Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/books-nazi-era-looted-art/) - Alford, Kenneth D., Hermann Göring and the Nazi Art Collection: The Looting of Europe's Art Treasures and Their Dispersal After World War II (April 2012) (ISBN: 978-0786468157). "This book explores the formation of the Nazi art collection and the methods used by Goring and his party to strip occupied Europe of a large part of its artistic
- [Buck for Your Art: Legal Tools For Turning Art Into Profit](https://itsartlaw.org/buck-for-your-art-legal-tools-for-turning-art-into-profit/) - IP lawyers discuss the ways to ensure that artists get fair value for their creations and brands. While creators are embodying their visions into art and after the works are fixed and can be admired or traded in the art market, how can copyright holders and creators gain economic benefit from their creations? In the
- [Books](https://itsartlaw.org/books/)
- [Books: Galleries](https://itsartlaw.org/books-galleries/) - Crawford, Tad & Susan Mellon, The Artist-Gallery Partnership (Revised ed., May 2008) (ISBN: 978-1581156454). This books offers a “clear explanation of the consignment contracts that lie at the heart of the relationship between artists and galleries. Updates include the latest developments in state laws and all of the current statutes in the 32 states that have laws
- [Benefit & Distinguished Lecture on Copyright and Fair w/ Luke Nikas (Dec. 13, 2022)](https://itsartlaw.org/benefit-distinguished-lecture-on-copyright-and-fair-w-luke-nikas-dec-13-2022/) - About the Event Earlier in October, the Supreme Court of the United States considered whether a famous set of images that Andy Warhol based on a 1981 photograph of Prince by the award-winning photographer Lynn Goldsmith represents “fair” use of the photograph. The question is that whether Warhol’s successors could license the images for commercial
- [Bar Associations](https://itsartlaw.org/bar-associations/) - American Bar Association: Arts & Cultural Heritage Law Committee "This committee is composed of attorneys with an interest in the field of art, cultural heritage, and cultural property law and who work in a variety of settings, including private practice, museums, government, and academia. This area of law is concerned with both movable and immovable property of
- [Authenticators](https://itsartlaw.org/authenticators/) - The following is a list of art authenticators. This list is not exhaustive and most likely incomplete. If you would like to add information on an authenticator, please contact us. Authenticators: Van Weyenbergh Fine Arts & Associates http://www.art-authentication-appraisal-expert.com/rates.htm Orion Labs Following is for the Guidelines: http://www.collegeart.org/guidelines/authentications http://www.collegeart.org/fair-use/ we will add AAMD and others here
- [Audio Library](https://itsartlaw.org/audio-library/) - If you know of interesting podcasts on the subject of law and the arts, please let us know and we will save them in our Audio Library. How hard is it to track down stolen works of art? (Eng.) Feb. 2, 2015 Interview with Elinor Kroitoru of Hashava -- Israel's Holocaust restitution company -- joins guest
- [Authentication Services](https://itsartlaw.org/authentication-services/) - Orion Analytical, LLC: "Established in 2000 as a micro-niche materials analysis and consulting firm, Orion investigates art, cultural property, and collectibles spanning more than 4,000 years – from ancient Egyptian artifacts to paintings and sculpture, architectural finishes, Bordeaux wines, and more." "Worldwide, Orion conducts on-site examination, multispectral imaging, noninvasive elemental analyses, and sample collection." RECENART:
- [Arts & Business Initiatives](https://itsartlaw.org/arts-business-initiatives/) - Arts & Business Council of Miami -- http://www.artsbizmiami.org/getInvolved/artsGroup/vla.htm Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) is a joint program of the Dade County Bar Association Put Something Back program and the Arts & Business Council. The program provides pro bono legal assistance through volunteer attorneys on specific client requests for the Miami-Dade region only. VLA does not guarantee
- [Auction Sponsors](https://itsartlaw.org/auction-sponsors/) - The Center for Art Law acknowledges the sponsors of the Art & Law Auction (June 11-27, 2019) and VIP Reception (Tuesday, June 25, 2019): Benefactors Athena Art Finance is a disciplined finance company specializing in art-based lending. Athena provides its clients with flexible options for debt financing secured by high-value artwork. Athena's clients are high-net-worth
- [Artist-Dealer relationships: Reading the Fine Print](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-dealer-relationships-reading-the-fine-print/) - About the Event A conversation on contracts, consignments, the art market and more from the perspective of an artist and an attorney. Join the Center for Art Law in conversation with Eric Aho, an artist represented by the DC Moore Gallery and Dean Nicyper, partner at Withers Worldwide. Together, the panelists will share their experiences
- [Artist-Gallerist Relationships: Building Lasting Galleries](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-gallerist-relationships-building-lasting-galleries/) - About the Event Join the Center for Art Law in conversation with Fabian Lang, an art gallerist based in Zurich and Judd Grossman, Founder and Managing Partner of Grossman LLP. Through the session, the audience will gain conversance with artist-gallerist relationships, the steps involved in building a gallery, and the complexities of drafting and negotiating
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic Keynote Address: March 30, 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-keynote-address-march-30-2022/) - About the Event In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), that affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic Keynote Address: June 27, 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-keynote-address-june-27-2022/) - About the Event The Center for Art Law’s newly launched Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic had its second session with an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. The keynote address for this clinic was done by Peter J. Caruso II.
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic Keynote Address: December 10, 2021](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-keynote-address-december-10-2021/) - The Center for Art Law's newly launched Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic had its second session with an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. The Keynote Address was on Legacy and Estate Planning by Mara McCarthy. About the Speaker: Mara McCarthy
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic Keynote Address: July 14, 2021](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-keynote-address-july-14-2021/) - The Center for Art Law’s newly launched Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic had its inaugural session with an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. The Keynote Address was on Legacy and Estate Planning by Yayoi Shionoiri. About our speaker: Yayoi Shionoiri
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Capsule](https://itsartlaw.org/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-capsule/) - Artist Foundation and Estate Leaders Capsule Series: On Legacies and Futures -- How can Artists Think about the Future? Artist endowed foundations and artist estates are a growing part of the ecology of the arts. This four part seminar brings together leaders of artist-endowed foundations and estates to share ideas and think together about artists
- [Articles](https://itsartlaw.org/articles/) - Cultural Property Protection Blondeau, Marc, "Cultural Property Protection and the Canadian Armed Forces" Canadian Military Journal (vol. 20, no. 2, Spring 2020), available here http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vol20/no2/PDF/CMJ202Ep35.pdf
- [Art References and Resources](https://itsartlaw.org/art-references-and-resources/) - NY Art Resources Consortium -- http://arcade.nyarc.org/ --
- [Art Law Resources on Racial Justice](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-resources-on-racial-justice/) - As attorneys, we believe in justice and in the rule of law as applied to all. As artists, we believe in freedom of expression. As human beings, we believe that we are each other’s keepers and we are heartbroken by the persistence of inequality and civil injustices nationwide. We all deserve to live fear-free, under
- [Art Law Research Institutions](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-research-institutions/) - Artive is a non-profit organization facilitating the protection of cultural property through its risk management services and growing database of claimed objects. New London, CT. Art-Law Centre Geneva is a research center at the University of Geneva, promoting and coordinating research and work on the most current questions of art law. Geneva, Switzerland. Art Law Foundation (Fondation pour le Droit
- [Art Law In The Time of Coronavirus](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/) - Monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on museums, art fairs, auction houses, galleries, and artists. Last updated: May 6, 2020 Ongoing Coverage of COVID-19’s Impact on the Art World [via Artsy]. A Daily Report on How COVID-19 Is Impacting the Art World [via Hyperallergic]. Canceled & Postponed Events Coronavirus Cancellation Watch: An Up-to-the-Minute Guide to How
- [Art Law Directory](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-directory/) - One of our goals is to create a “Who is Who in Art Law.” This directory is the first step in that direction. As we are assembling information, if you wish to be included in the directory, please complete our Directory Form or supply information below.
- [Art Law Conference 2022: Sponsorship Opportunities](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-conference-2022-sponsorship-opportunities/) - Center for Art Law invites sponsors for our Art Law Conference 2002 at New York Law School, NYC on July 28, 2022. We have several sponsorship levels available including financial sponsorship positions, in-kind sponsors, and promotional partnerships for the Conference. Please consider sponsoring: The Keynote Presentation;Any of the three panels on: Immigration and Artists, Legacy and Estate Planning and Artist-Dealer Relationships;Judith
- [Art Law Colloquium: Censorship & Artistic Expression on College Campus](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-colloquium-censorship-artistic-expression-on-college-campus/) - About the Event For the first art law colloquium at the Center, Amy Werbel, professor, academic and author of Lust on Trial: Censorship and the Rise of American Obscenity in the Age of Anthony Comstock discussed her newest research, a report on Freedom of Artistic Expression in Academic Art Museums and Galleries!
- [Art Forgers](https://itsartlaw.org/art-forgers/) - The art industry is not a stranger to forgers, skilled and cunning (con)artists who are using their art skills to profit off of another's career. Art by "master" forgers have fooled experts around the world. It is still unknown how many expertly forged works exist in museums and private collections. The following is a list
- [Art & Law Auction 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/art-law-auction-2019/) - Thank you to all who helped make our first Art & Law Auction, an unforgettable celebration of our anniversaries as a 501(c)(3) organization. From June 11 to June 27, 2019, Paddle8 hosted an online auction, showcasing the works of emerging and established artists, along with artworks from collectors who have been following our progress over the years. These contributors have pledged
- [Art & Law Auction 2021](https://itsartlaw.org/art-and-law-auction-2021/) - Art provides us with comfort, the power of expression, and inspiration for the future. In celebration of art’s invaluable role in society and in furtherance of our mission to support the arts and law community, the Center for Art Law has teamed up with Capsule Auctions to host our second Art & Law Auction online
- [Anti-Money Laundering Workshop: Compliance and Due Diligence for the Art Trade (the UK Edition)](https://itsartlaw.org/anti-money-laundering-workshop-compliance-and-due-diligence-for-the-art-trade-the-uk-edition/) - About the Event The Center for Art Law is so excited to discuss the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation field from the perspective of the United Kingdom. With UK art businesses receiving their first round of fines for non/late registrations as AMP's, the time has come for the art market to wake up and smell the new
- [An Enduring Statement](https://itsartlaw.org/an-enduring-statement/) - What happens to artists's artworks and collection after...? How and when are their legacy preserved? Are their fiduciaries and beneficiaries protected? Let's ask artists whether they want to donate, sell or destroy their art and why, the time is now. Let's disrupt the estate planning process for the better. The Center for Art Law is proud to present this
- [Alumni Association](https://itsartlaw.org/alumni-association/) - The Center for Art Law Alumni Association offers previous fellows, interns, and friends of the Center access to premium content via with their membership including: Perks Premium Membership Includes:unlimited articlesread the Case Law CornerAccess webinar archivesAlumni-only eventsAccess to the Alumni Directory (beginning September 2021) Discounts 50% off the dotART domain 40% off Art Newspaper's annual
- [Alumni Association Members](https://itsartlaw.org/alumni-association-members/) - The Center for Art Law Alumni Association offers previous fellows, interns, and friends of the Center access to premium content with their membership including: Perks Premium Membership perks: unlimited articles read the Case Law Corner Access webinar archives Alumni-only events Invitation to join the LinkedIn networking group with updates, job postings, and events Discounts *
- [All Resources](https://itsartlaw.org/all-resources/)
- [Account setup](https://itsartlaw.org/account-setup/)
- [ABCs of Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/abcs-of-art-law/) - Join the Dartmouth Lawyers Association and the Center for Art Law for a discussion on the ABCs of Art Law. Art, its market, and its protection have been increasingly regulated, leading to a new generation of “art lawyers” who specialize in cultural heritage, art business, and artists’ rights. A group of attorneys discusses recent legal
- [ABC's of Art Law: 'A' is for Authenticity (CLE)](https://itsartlaw.org/abcs-of-art-law-a-is-for-authenticity-cle/) - About the Event During the seminal trial of DeSole v. Knoedler, et al, attorneys for the defense showed an excerpt from the biopic about Pollack, where the painter is portrayed as an irresponsible drunkard. Was the objective to blame an artist for any confusion about their work based on the stereotypical behavior associated with creatives?
- [A Primer on Artist Trusts: Part 2](https://itsartlaw.org/a-primer-on-artist-trusts-part-2/) - About this event What counts as a well-formed artist's legacy? Taking care of the family members? Placing art in institutions? Shaping a careful and complete narrative? An artist’s legacy plan often requires a series of complex legal entities for the preservation and protection of a lifetime of work. This session will focus on selecting and
- [You've Been Served](https://itsartlaw.org/youve-been-served/) - Remember the Twilight Zone episode entitled "To Serve Man"? Center for Art Law believes that there is no one right recipe to enjoy a movie with legal twists or connection. You've Been Served is our recurring program with a dinner and a movie dedicated to or inspired by films (feature and documentary) somehow associated with
- [Workshop: Finding a Home for your Art Archive w/Lisa Darms](https://itsartlaw.org/workshop-finding-a-home-for-your-art-archive/) - About the Event For artists who have assembled an archive, or family members or friends who have inherited one (letters, notes, articles, photographs, etc), it can be overwhelming to try to figure out where to place these materials to ensure they are preserved and accessible in the future. This workshop considers how and where to
- [Setting the Record Straight: A Conversation with an Art Historian w/Dr. Gail Levin (Jan. 31, 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/setting-the-record-straight-a-conversation-with-an-art-historian-w-dr-gail-levinjan-31-2023/) - About this event What role does an art historian play in connection with an artist's legacy? Scholars, curators, biographers, teachers - art historians like Gail Levin -- dedicate their lives to unearth and preserve the biographical and artistic record disappearing in the haze of time. Whether an artist is a careful record keeper or not,
- [Workshop on Licensing and Negotiation w/ Catlan McCurdy](https://itsartlaw.org/workshop-on-licensing-and-negotiation/) - Licensing arrangements can provide artists with a great opportunity for passive revenue, allowing you to commercialize your art on your terms. While license discussions may begin based on commonly used terms, every license negotiation is bespoke due to the uniqueness of the work of art and proposed use for such art. There are fundamental provisions
- [What's in the Box: A Webinar on Art Storage](https://itsartlaw.org/whats-in-the-box-a-webinar-on-art-storage/) - Art Storage…the home of a lot of the art in the world. But there is more to the topic than just a shelf or a box in a room where you keep the art. What do you do to protect your work from natural disasters? What does a contract look like between you and a
- [Museums and Deaccessioning](https://itsartlaw.org/museums-and-deaccessioning/) - About the Event The definition of the word is simple enough. Deaccession: officially remove (an item) from the listed holdings of a library, museum, or art gallery, typically in order to sell it to raise funds. And the concept itself in practice can be relatively easy too--so why is there always fuss and drama when
- [Starting from Scratch: Provenance Research and Lost Art Databases](https://itsartlaw.org/starting-from-scratch-provenance-research-and-lost-art-databases/) - History of objects may add to their allure and enrich their stories as well as complicate their property rights. Professionals and lay people are frequently dealing with uncertainties when handling works of art. Assuming the object is authentic, how did it get from the studio or the factory where it was produced to its present
- [Valuing and Preserving Legacy of Immigrant Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/valuing-and-preserving-legacy-of-immigrant-artists/) - Disclaimer: This recording and the information presented herein do not constitute legal advice. Please use for informational purposes only. All rights reserved.
- [Two Confessions of an Artist and Lawyer](https://itsartlaw.org/two-confessions-of-an-artist-and-lawyer/) - Whether it's protecting art as an intellectual property lawyer or creating art that represents legal issues, the relationship between art and law has always been intriguing. Just as there are several perspectives to understanding art, there are also several facets of being a lawyer. They can be anything they wish to be, including artists. Join
- [Workshop on Copyright: Ideas, Authorship, and Registration](https://itsartlaw.org/workshop-on-copyright-ideas-authorship-and-registration/) - The world, even the word, of copyright can feel a little daunting at times - Can you copyright an idea? What does it mean to be an "author" of a work? What is "fair use", and what "copyright infringement" entail? And the most mysterious idea of all remains--how do I even register for a copyright??
- [Workshop on Provenance Research](https://itsartlaw.org/workshop-on-provenance-research/) - The Center for Art Law is proud to present a workshop on Provenance Research this Spring Semester led by Owner & Consultant of Proper Provenance, LLC, Aubrey Catrone. Join us as we discuss how to read and interpret provenance for works of art and sculptures, and discuss the questions we all have been dying to
- [Visual Artist Immigration Clinic Keynote Address: February 16, 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/visual-artist-immigration-clinic-keynote-address-february-16-2022/) - The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. At the February 16, 2022 Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic Session, Sanjay Sethi, Co-Executive Director of the Artist Freedom Initiative delivered a keynote address on the topic of Immigration and
- [Visual Artist Immigration Clinic Keynote Address: November 9, 2021](https://itsartlaw.org/visual-artist-immigration-clinic-keynote-address-november-9-2021/) - The Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. At the November 9, 2021 Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic Session, Rakhel Milstein, Founder & CEO Milstein Law Group, delivered a keynote address on the topic of Immigration and the
- [UNESCO Convention Turns 50](https://itsartlaw.org/unesco-convention-turns-50/) - Half a Century of Fighting Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property This year, the 1970 UNESCO Convention quietly turned 50. The 1995 UNIDROIT Convention that supplemented the 1970 Convention with private law relating to the international trade of art turned 25. While the in-person celebrations and conference did not happen, efforts to prevent the traffic in cultural property have
- [Serpentine Legal Lab](https://itsartlaw.org/serpentine-legal-lab/) - Join the Center for Art Law in a discussion with Serpentine Galleries R&D Platform Legal Lab about legal design, art and tech collaboration. About this event Why would an art gallery in London be concerned with climate emergencies or legal design? Established 50 years ago, in 1970, the Serpentine Galleries makes it their business to explore connections
- [Too Good To Be True](https://itsartlaw.org/too-good-to-be-true/) - Economic calculations behind the production and dissemination of fakes and forgeries are easy to understand and hard to process. When demand for certain goods, let's say Modigliani paintings or Giacometti sculptures, exceeds the supply, particularly creative individuals or groups may step in to address the scarcity and introduce it into the art market counterfeits. Having
- [Testing](https://itsartlaw.org/testing/) - {{CODEmyjscode}}
- [Register](https://itsartlaw.org/register/)
- [Registration](https://itsartlaw.org/registration/) - Before you go! Don't forget to subscribe to our free monthly newsletter for exclusive invitations, our selection of art law news, Case Law Corner updates, and other announcements. If you already are a subscriber, no further action required. Sign up for the newsletter
- [Miscellaneous](https://itsartlaw.org/miscellaneous/) - Day, Gregory, Explaining the Art Market's Thefts, Frauds, and Forgeries (And Why the Art Market Does Not Seem to Care). Vanderbilt J. of Ent'ment and Tech. L., Vol. 16, No. 4, 2014, Forthcoming. Available for download here.Koo, Melissa (YoungJae), Repatriation of Korean Cultural Property Looted by Japan -- Can Sincere Apology Resolve the Centuries-Old Korea/Japan Disputes?
- [Video Library](https://itsartlaw.org/video-library/) - So much to see, so little time. Art and law make for a fertile ground for discussions, publications, conferences, presentations and interviews. Following are select videos related to the issues of art restitution, street art, authenticity issues and other fascinating topics. "Le Catalogue Goering" Book Launch (Fr.) Sept. 30, 2015 Marking the recent Flammarion depublication
- [See Art, Think Art Law (TM)](https://itsartlaw.org/see-art-think-art-law-tm/) - If we were to institute annual art law awards, whom would we honor? In 2014, the inaugural award for the artist who has influenced the legal profession most would probably go to Jeff Koons (apologies to the artist currently known as Mr. Prince), whose artistic path has certainly been shaped by his legal altercations. Koons would
- [Trademark](https://itsartlaw.org/trademark/) - http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment/uspto-fee-schedule#
- [Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA)](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteer-lawyers-for-the-arts-vla/) - Arizona - Volunteer Lawyers Program -- http://www.vlparizona.org/ Alabama - Volunteer Lawyers Program --http://www.alabar.org/members/vlp_more.cfm tel: (334) 269-1515 California California Lawyers for the Arts (Statewide) Legal Referral Service Hotline: 1-888-775-8995 nclegal@calawyersforthearts.org http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/ California Lawyers for the Arts (San Jose/South Bay) c/o Arts Council Silicon Valley 4 North 2nd Street San Jose, CA 95113 tel: (408) 998-2787 x216 sanjose@calawyersforthearts.org California Lawyers
- [Relevant Laws](https://itsartlaw.org/relevant-laws/) - United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 28 USCS 1602 Immunity from Seizure Act, 22 U.S.C. 2459 National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3001 The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA) Russian Federation International
- [Publications](https://itsartlaw.org/publications/) - Below is a list of published resources that Center for Art Law complies for the latest scholarship in art law. Art Law Journals Books and Manuals If you are working on a new title, or your book is already out and you would like to have it listed by us, please send us information about
- [Restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/restitution/) - Commission for Art Recovery The Commission for Art Recovery was established in 1997 to spur efforts to restitute art that was seized, confiscated, or wrongfully taken ― on a massive scale ― as a result of the policies of the Third Reich and the devastation of the Holocaust. Unfortunately, even at this late date when
- [Research Guides](https://itsartlaw.org/research-guides/) - Some law schools offer centralized research guides to their faculty and students.* The following list contains some overlapping information; however, if you are working on a course curriculum or need a place to start your research on a particular topic these are very helpful compilations. * * * Georgetown Law Library Art Law Research Guide
- [Sample Page](https://itsartlaw.org/sample-page/) - This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger

## Calendars

- [Worldwide Calendar](https://itsartlaw.org/calendar/worldwide-calendar/) - [title] [when] [location] [description] [link newwindow="yes"]See more details[/link]

## Art Clinics

- [Art & Copyright Law Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/art-clinics/art-copyright-law-clinic/) - Copyright law is a body of federal law that grants authors exclusive rights over their original works. Enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, these rights aim “to promote the progress of science and useful arts”. Copyright protection extends to a broad spectrum of artistic expressions — from paintings and photographs to sculptures, as well as other
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/art-clinics/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic/) - The Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic helps artists and gallerists negotiate effective and mutually-beneficial contracts. The Clinic connects artists, dealers, and attorneys to forge meaningful relations and provide a platform for artists and dealers to learn about consignment agreements and have their questions on the topic addressed by experts in the field. In addition to one-on-one pro
- [Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/art-clinics/visual-artists-immigration-clinic/) - The Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. The Center for Art Law works with a growing team of volunteer immigration attorneys experienced in helping visual and performing artists. The purpose of the Clinic is to provide visual artists with
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/art-clinics/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic/) - The Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic and its affiliated programming seek to connect artists, estate administrators, attorneys, tax advisors, and other experts to create meaningful and lasting solutions for expanding the art canon and art legacy planning. The Clinic offers information, referrals, and general guidance to emerging and established artists looking to find resources

## Briefs

- [Winter 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/winter-2024/) - Fire Destroys Thousands of Paintings in Abkhazia Early on January 21, 2024 4000 paintings from Abkhazia’s National Art Gallery were reported as burnt. The fire started in a bank in Sukhumi, Abkhazia’s capital, and spread rapidly. According to the director of the Gallery, the building was in disrepair for years and the Abkhazian government ignored
- [November 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/november-2018/) - AI art, Ai Weiwei price. The first auction of an artwork made through Artificial Intelligence ended with a hammer price more than 400% the estimated price. Stay tuned for an article on the blog! Buon compleanno. Twenty artifacts recovered by US authorities will be returned to Italy, after the two countries cooperated to seize them. This
- [Lisbon's Museum of Contemporary Art to Showcase Artworks Confiscated from Portuguese Collector](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/september-2023/) - Lisbon's Museum of Contemporary Art to Showcase Artworks Confiscated from Portuguese Collector. Scheduled to open its doors in October 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, a new contemporary art museum will prominently showcase artworks drawn from a collection that had previously been subject to state confiscation. Comprising over 900 art pieces, the collection boasts works by eminent artists including
- [Summer 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/summer-2024/) - Richard Serra’s legacy and the posthumous management of his artworks The recent passing of artist Richard Serra has highlighted the increasingly complex issue of posthumous management of an artist's work. The last exhibition conceived by Serra himself, Six Drawings, at David Zwirner's London gallery, shows how the artist's instructions play a key role in the posthumous
- [May 2024 (Newsletter selection)](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/may-2024-newsletter-selection/) - Market-Proof Rothko Works Continue Selling for Record Prices In February, news broke that Christie’s sold a Rothko painting for $100 million dollars in a private sale. The private nature of the transaction led to mass speculation about who might be the seller. The piece in question, No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) (1951) is a
- [Spring 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/spring-2024/) - Arcarta: The changing landscape of AML in the art world and the NCA Amber Alert Nicole Thiriez, business development lead of Arcarta, and Martin Schofield, an AML & Compliance Expert, joined to discuss the National Crime Agency’s Amber Alert for the Art Market. The National Crime Agency, or NCA, is the United Kingdom’s Financial Intelligence
- [November 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/november-2023/) - Jean Michel-Basquiat work- foiled art forgery or “childish prank”? A sculptural frame supposedly by Jean-Michel Basquiat, offered for $3 million at TEFAF in 2017, was revealed to be an elaborate creation by Austrian artist André Heller. Heller admitted to assembling the piece, embellishing authentic sketches by Basquiat with red paint, nails, and a broom handle.
- [October 2009](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/october-2009/) - theft of ideas/trade secret: Pepsi made an Opps-i. Looks like Pepsi forgot to show up in court! Plaintiffs sued alleging that Pepsi violated trade secret laws because Pepsi stole their idea to bottle and purify water. Pepsi’s mishap cost them $1.26 billion — that’s some expensive water! Read more here.
- [Summer 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/summer-2023/) - Global Summit Convenes in UK to Address Unclaimed Holocaust Property Stolen from Jews and Others. The UK convened an urgent international gathering on March 28 to tackle the mounting crisis of unclaimed Holocaust-era property, much of which was looted from Jews and other victims by the Nazi authorities. The gathering, attended by delegates from various
- [August 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/august-2013/) - Update to the Green Day Case On Thursday, the appeals court affirmed the decision of the Los Angeles federal district court, rejecting Seltzer’s claims. Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain wrote, that “the purpose and character of the use was transformative and not overly commercial,” therefore, falling within the Copyright Act’s codified defense to copyright infringement. Although
- [October 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/october-2023/) - Reina Sofía Museum Lifts Ban on Photography of Picasso's 'Guernica.' The ban on photographing Picasso's anti-war masterpiece, Guernica (1937), has been lifted by the Reina Sofía Museum's new director, Manuel Segade. This restriction, in place for over 30 years, was lifted at the beginning of September 2023. Guernica, depicting the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, was acquired
- [Fall 2017](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/fall-2017/) - Artforum #Too: Knight Landesman, the co-publisher of an influential art magazine, resigned after a former employee accused him of smearing her reputation following years of harassment and unwanted sexual advances. Bold Win/Dispute Resolution: The New York gallery owner, Mary Boone, has reached a seven-figure settlement with Alec Baldwin to resolve the actor’s lawsuit alleging she misled him
- [Summer 2017](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/summer-2017/) - Ivory trade update: from elephant to mammoth On August 3, 2017, nearly two tones of ivory was pulverized in New York City's Central Park as a message to the elephant poachers that their efforts are futile and destructive to the environment. Reactions were mixed, some attendees of the ceremony were hopeful that the destruction would hurt
- [March 2017](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2017/) - How "Banal" Jeff Koons Guilty of Plagiarism (in France) French courts have ruled that Jeff Koons plagiarized the photography of French artist Jean-François Bauret in a 1988 sculpture called “Naked.” This is not the first time Koons, whose work often makes use of pop culture and mass-produced imagery, has lost a copyright infringement suit. Christie’s to
- [January 2017](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/january-2017/) - South Korean Minister of Culture Resigns Amid Blacklist Scandal Korean official Cho Yoon Sun resigned last week, shortly after being arrested for allegedly compiling a blacklist of nearly 10,000 artists critical of former President Park Geun-Hye. Also arrested was Kim Ki-Choon, a former chief staffer for Park's father, president Park Chung-hee. The scandal erupts amidst a series of
- [Fall 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/fall-2016/) - Money, Elections and Taxes Make the Head Spin NYTimes reports that Eric T. Schneiderman and his office are looking into presumptive presidential candidate Donald J. Trump’s nonprofit foundation. While Trump’s tax returns remain locked up, his nonprofit, the Donald J Trump Foundation INC, est. 1988 and is in operation out of Woodbury, New York has some answering
- [April 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/april-2016/) - Ace is Low On April 6, 2016 Sam Leslie, a bankruptcy trustee, took over control of the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles based Ace Gallery when Douglas Chrismas, the founder of the Gallery, failed to comply with a court order to pay $17.5 million to settle debts. After taking over Leslie began sorting out ownership
- [December 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/december-2014/) - 9th Cir. Avant-garde This month, the 9th Circuit reheard en banc the resale royalty right case brought against auction houses by a handful of artists and artists' estates. Enjoy the resale royalty right hearing here. IT
- [September 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/september-2014/) - What's fair in "Fair Use"? This month the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decided that alleged illegal use of a copyright protected photograph was in fact fair under 17 U.S.C. 107. (Kienitz v. Sconnie Nation LLC, No. 13-3004, 2014 WL 4494825 (7th Cir. Sept. 14, 2014)). More importantly, the court criticized the Second Circuit's
- [August 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/august-2014/) - Corcoran et al Museum community and the T&E Bar are eagerly following blow by blow developments surrounding Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC. As this oldest privately owned art collection in DC is looking for a new home and financial baking, purists lament the inevitable changes that any modification or merger of the collection would spell to the Last Will and
- [July 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/july-2014/) - Pollock he is not! John Re, an East Hampton-based painter was accused of painting and selling fake Pollock works. It has been reported that collectors who purchased Re-Pollock's invested almost $2 million. Details. Take Two Norton Simon Museum seeks a rehearing or a do over in its efforts to keep Lucas Cranach's diptych “Adam and Eve.” Eve might have wanted to
- [June 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/june-2014/) - It's elementary, Watson! Whether yo like it or not, Sherlock Holmes' character is no longer protected by copyright. Two Herrick, Feinstein LLP attorneys began their reviewed the recent 7th Circuit Appeal decision as following: "It didn't take much deducing for the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to rule on June 16th that Sherlock
- [May 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/may-2014/) - Graduations! Center for Art Law applauds its writers who are graduating this spring -- Ariel Greenberg (Cardozo), Lesley Sotolongo (Cardozo), Nora Choueiri (Fordham), and Joshua Greenfield (Albany)! Museum: Musee Picasso (Paris) has been closed for renovation for almost five years -- with reopeninfg delayed again until after the high tourist season, the French government let go
- [March 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2014/) - Museum: The Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) issued sanctions against the Maier Museum of Art (Randolph College, Lynchburg, VA) following its deaccessioning and sale of a George Bellows' painting. Reportedly, proceeds from the $25.5 million purchasing price will go to the college's operating fund. According to the AAMD "sale of works of art from
- [February 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/february-2014/) - Kapoor The Toledo Art Museum announced its plans to to review dozens of works received and purchased from the New York dealer Subhash Kapoor between 2001 and 2010. The Toledo Museum of Art was one of many institutions that acquired materials from Kapoor, including a Ganesh a figure from India. While Kapoor pled guilty to selling stolen property, the
- [Fall 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/fall-2022/) - Odesa, Ukraine: An Appeal to Save A City’s Cultural Heritage, and Perhaps the City Too In a pre-recorded video presented to UNESCO’s executive board this October 11, 2022, President Volodynyr Zelensky of Ukraine made a formal application for the organization to recognize the Ukrainian port-city of Odesa as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Odesa, home to the historic
- [September 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/september-2015/) - ICC and Cultural War Crimes The International Criminal Court (ICC) to review charges against, Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi for the destruction of cultural heritage in Mali, under the jurisdiction granted by the 2002 Rome Statute. This "represents an important step forward in the fight against impunity, not only in Mali but also in the broader Sahel and Sahara region of Africa,
- [June 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/june-2015/) - Hopi Tribe Restitution Since 2012, the Hopi tribe has attempted to stop French auction houses from selling items that belong to the tribe. Recently, the Hopi Tribal Council partnered with the Holocaust Art Restitution Project, which generally focuses on Nazi looted artifacts, in a legal dispute against the Conseil des Ventes, the regulatory body that oversees
- [August 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/august-2015/) - ISIS Path of Destruction Continues ISIS militants continue wanton destruction of alleged “anti-Islamic” artifacts and architecture in Palmyra, Syria, an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the second millennium BC. Satellite imagery from Boston University confirmed that militants destroyed three tower tombs of historic and religious significance—the Jamblique, Elhbel and Kithot tombs,
- [April 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/april-2015/) - Art$/Fund$ The disconnection between artists not being able to collect resale royalty in the United States and the limits imposed on the donation of art works by artists to the museums are at a stark contrast with the trend of purchasing art as an asset class. Recent discussions about Art as Investment are further supported by the proliferation of art funds
- [March 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2015/) - Cultural Property - Interpol In response to the recent devastating attacks by ISIS on cultural heritage sites across Iraq, Interpol organized a three-day symposium in Lyon, France, to discuss the destruction of and illicit sale of stolen works. The organization is studying ways to protect locations and objects of historical value from such attacks moving forward, and has
- [February 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/february-2015/) - Restitution Matters Despite recent easing of US trade restrictions with Cuba, restitution of fine art seized by Cuba in the 1960's is still no closer. Cuba has taken the position that the art in question was not stolen and similarly has made no efforts to facilitate its return. Some predict that rising demand, and increasing popularity
- [2010](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/2010/) - Dispute between high profile collector and leading New York gallery Interesting dispute involving the David Zwirner Gallery regarding an alleged breach of confidentiality agreement. Read the article here The Gallery Director of the David Zwirner Gallery spoke on the panel: “The Art Market Examined: Art, Business, and the Law – what do they have in
- [Winter 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/winter-2023/) - Back and Forth and Back Again: New Decision in a Longstanding Dispute Over a Buddhist Statue The South Korean Daejeon High Court held in a decision this week that a South Korean temple did not have a claim to ownership of a Buddhist statue, a seated Bodhisattva. This statue was allegedly created by the South
- [May 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/may-2023/) - Sasha Skochilenko: Russian Artist in Pretrial Detention Center for Anti-War Protest at Market A Russian artist, Sasha Skochilenko (b. 1990), has been detained in a Russian pretrial detention center for over a year since she was arrested for placing anti-Russian army notes in place of price tags at a market stall as an artistic protest.
- [April 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/april-2023/) - The Controversy Between the Joan Mitchell Foundation and Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton hosted an exhibition from May 2022 through February 2023 on Claude Monet and Joan Mitchell, “Monet - Mitchell,” as well as a retrospective on Joan Mitchell’s life and works. The Joan Mitchell Foundation (JMF) was established according to Joan’s will in 1993, and immediately
- [March 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2023/) - Native American Sacred Objects Restituted from Swiss Museum The Musée d'ethnographie de Genève (MEG) returned two sacred objects to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which were acquired without consent nearly 200 years ago. The Haudenosaunee are commonly referred to as the “Iroquois” or “Six Nations,” which include the indigenous communities of the Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Mohawk,
- [September 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/september-2018/) - Deli-cious News. Sylvie Sulitzer, the owner of a delicatessen shop in the south of France and heir of French art collector and maquisard Alfred Weinberger, was finally reunited with her great grandfather’s looted Renoir, "Two Women in a Garden" (1919). The ceremony took place in New York, and symbolizes the cooperation between France and US law
- [Winter 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/winter-2018/) - Malaysian Corruption Case Settlement In a postscript to our story Rights: Investigating and Prosecuting Kleptocracy in Malaysia, Red Granite, the film production company founded by Riza Aziz, the stepson of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, will pay the U.S. Government a settlement fee of $60 million. This payment will put to rest allegations that it used funds
- [Spring 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/spring-2018/) - German Justice: Good News Bad News In 2013, German police seized 1,800 paintings from art collector Itzhak Zarug, alleging claims of forgery and involvement in an international art forgery ring. Following an investigation by German police and over ten experts, all but three paintings have been declared authentic and returned to Zarug. However, while Zarug was
- [October 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/october-2018/) - Banksy Strikes Again. Banksy’s "Love is in the Bin" formerly known as "Girl with a Balloon" piece sold at Sotheby’s auction only to be shredded inside its frame in front of the crowd’s eyes seconds later. He broadcasted the event on his Instagram account, which only leaves one wondering: was Banksy at the event to preform this stunt?
- [December 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/december-2018/) - The Klimt always hits twice. Austria's attempts to research and restitute a Klimt to an Austrian Jewish family reveal that the government mistakenly returned the work "Apple Tree II" to the wrong family 18 years ago – confusing it with a similar Klimt painting, "Roses Under Trees." The work was supposed to be shown at the Leopold Museum for the centennial of the
- [January 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/january-2015/) - Je suis Charlie. On January 7, offices of a satirical weekly magazine in Paris "Charlie Hebdo" were attacked by armed terrorists leaving many wounded and 12 people dead. Among those who died were respected and influential caricature artists. Center for Art Law condemns this terrible act of unpardonable violence and stands in support with all creative people fighting radical
- [May 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/may-2015/) - Cultural Property - Elgin Marbles The government of Greece declared it would not bring the battle over the Elgin marbles to court. After the British Museum declined UNESCO's offer to help with restitution mediation, and a team of human rights lawyers in London (including Amal Clooney) suggested bringing suit as the best chance for retrieving the priceless
- [October 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/october-2015/) - Armenian Genocide Restitution The J. Paul Getty Museum and the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America reached an agreement regarding the ownership of eight pages of a 13th-century illustrated manuscript that was taken from the Catholiosate of Cilicia during the Armenian Genocide, between 1915-1923. The agreement settles a $105 million lawsuit filed against the museum in 2010, whereby the Armenian Church is the
- [Spring 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/spring/) - France’s new trio of bills on addressing restitution Starting with artworks, France is about to offer legal measures to address the ongoing World War II art and cultural heritage issues. France’s Ministry of Culture announced a trio of bills in January. One bill that targets human remains in museums is an amended version of an
- [Spring 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/spring-2022/) - Cancel Culture: Russian edition Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams have cancelled sales of Russian art in London, in compliance with the art market’s response to the sanctions imposed on Russia. The auction houses typically hold sales of Russian art in June and November in what is known as “Russian art week,” where wealthy Russians are often buyers– the London Russian art auction is also one of the most popular among the Russian oligarchs. The last Russian art auction
- [February 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/february-2019-2/) - Shutdown of Space Art. The government shutdown, which affected multiple art entities, had also stalled the deployment of Trevor Paglen’s space sculpture. Now that the shutdown has ended, hopefully the deployment will be scheduled. No More Brazilian Ministry of Culture. Brazil’s new president, Jair Bolsonaro has dissolved Brazil’s culture ministry, after stating that Brazil’s Rouanet law, which allows organizations
- [March 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2020/) - UNESCO Goes Digital. Google Arts & Culture launched a new digital visualization platform that calls attention to five UNESCO World Heritage sites under threat from climate change. It documents the threat to each site, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather patterns. Antiquities Seized. Bulgarian authorities have authorized the Bulgarian National Museum of History (NIM) to seize the antiquities collection
- [March 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2018/) - Portrait in “Wall-y”. The missing Gustav Klimt masterpiece “Portrait of a Lady,” was found in the walls of an Italian villa. This painting went missing in 1997 from the Ricci Oddi gallery in the northern city of Piacenza. If the piece is authentic it’s recovery will offer some objectively good news to the art world.
- [May 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/may-2016/) - Can’t Hide from the Taxman As reported by the New York Times New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a $7 million settlement with real estate developer Aby Rosen for back taxes on $80 million worth of art. Rosen failed to pay taxes accruing since 2002 by claiming the works were purchased for resale when in actuality
- [March 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2016/) - Five Charged with Selling Non-Genuine Alaskan Native Artworks On March 3, 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Alaska charged five individuals with violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. Four business owners and an employee were accused of selling fraudulent native artworks at shops in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, Alaska. The whale
- [February 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/february-2016/) - Museum Asks Federal Court to Determine Rightful Owner of Loaned Work On behalf of the Birmingham Museum of Art, the City of Birmingham, AL (the “City”) has asked the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division to determine the rightful owner of a loaned work of art. The Museum seeks to
- [January 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/january-2016/) - Gurlitt Provenance Research/Project “Provenienzrecherche Gurlitt” The German Lost Art Foundation is taking over the provenance investigations of the Gurlitt Art Collection. The “Schwabinger Kunstfund” task force failed to investigate the entire collection in the period allotted, and there is much work still do to analyze the true origins and ownership of artworks in the Cornelius
- [April 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/april-2019/) - Old Gold. A new legal dispute over ancient gold artifacts has erupted between Ukraine and Russia. The works were on loan to the Netherlands by a handful of Crimean museums when Russian annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Some 572 disputed artifacts are still in Amsterdam where they were on display when the dispute began, in 2016. A Dutch court ruled the
- [March 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/march-2019/) - Old Gold. A new legal dispute over ancient gold artifacts has erupted between Ukraine and Russia. The works were on loan to the Netherlands by a handful of Crimean museums when Russian annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Some 572 disputed artifacts are still in Amsterdam where they were on display when the dispute began, in 2016. A Dutch court ruled the
- [December 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/december-2019/) - Titian’s Epic Series. The Wallace Collection has agreed to lend Titian’s Perseus and Andromeda to the National Gallery in London next year, after loan restrictions were lifted following a reinterpretation of Lady Wallace’s 1897 will. Trove. American philanthropist Jayne Wrightsman left more than 375 works to the Met, along with $80 million for acquisitions. The bequest includes 22 European paintings “of the absolute finest
- [November 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/november-2019/) - Machiavelli by Da Vinci? An unsigned portrait, after lying largely unnoticed in the collection of a historic chateau in central France for decades, has piqued the interest of historians who believe its subject may be Niccolò Machiavelli and the artist who painted it may have been Leonardo da Vinci. Project Reset. A new Brooklyn program Project Reset allows lawbreakers of
- [October 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/october-2019/) - An Unhappy Portrait. Joshua Reynolds’s “Portrait of Miss Mathew” (c. 1780), stolen in 1984 from the Sussex home of philanthropist Sir Henry Price and believed to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in 1988, showed up this year at the Fuji Art Museum in Tokyo, which claims it acquired the painting in good faith. Halted. On September 17, the Mexican government called for
- [September 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/september-2019/) - The other French-Canadian Crusade. After a long legal battle, Gustave Caillebotte’s “Iris Bleus, Jardin du Petit Gennevilliers” (1892) has found a new home at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The painting was at the heart of a dispute between an auction house and a consortium of Canadian art museums, who sought to bar its export to Europe, arguing the
- [August 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/august-2019/) - What a Piet-y. The Kaiser Wilhelm Museum, located in the city of Krefeld, has refused to return Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian’s four paintings to Mondrian’s heirs. The heirs claim that he lent the work to the museum before fleeing Europe in 1938. The city’s research suggests that the works could have been donated to the city, but
- [July 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/july-2019/) - Returned. Dutch landscape artist Jan van Goyen’s “The Ferry” (1625) was returned to the heirs of its rightful owner, Czech-born Erwin Langweil. The painting, which Nazis stole after its owners fled to Kenya, is worth an estimated $320,000 to $440,000. Langweil’s heirs hired the Toronto-based Mondex Corp. in 2015 and the restitution was complete on October 29,
- [June 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/june-2019/) - Secrets on Sale. A large selection of Vivian Maier’s photographs went on sale at Photo London in Somerset House for the first time in May, with the most expensive print being sold for $6,500. The secretive artist’s estate was once the subject of a two-year copyright dispute between the Howard Greenberg Gallery and lawyer/photographer David C. Deal, who
- [May 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/may-2019/) - What a Journey. In 2018, a Paul Signac painting entitled “Port de la Rochelle” (1915) was stolen from Museum of Fine Arts in Nancy, France. Ukrainian Police have recovered the painting in Kiev at the home of a Ukrainian man who is wanted on suspicion of murdering a jeweler. Ukrainian officials are working with Austrian authorities to see
- [January 2019](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/january-2019/) - Pablo Pranked. Picasso’s “Harlequin Head” was among paintings looted from the Rotterdam’s Kunsthal museum in 2012. The painting was reported found in a Romanian forest in the fall of 2019, but it turns out that a replica was planted there to publicize the movie “True Copy” (2018), a documentary on the forger Geert Jan Jansen, which premiered just days before
- [January 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/january-2020/) - Portrait in “Wall-y”. The missing Gustav Klimt masterpiece “Portrait of a Lady,” was found in the walls of an Italian villa. This painting went missing in 1997 from the Ricci Oddi gallery in the northern city of Piacenza. If the piece is authentic it’s recovery will offer some objectively good news to the art world. Name Sacked. The
- [February 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/february-2020/) - Dark Humor. On November 25, 2019, four thieves stole approximately €1 billion worth of priceless jewels from the Dresden Green Vault in Germany. “Experts,” who purport to have been hired by the Museum, claim to have searched the dark web and that they received an offer to buy two sets of Dresden’s stolen jewels from an anonymous buyer for €9
- [April 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/april-2020/) - Labor Law. Many in the arts industry are facing layoffs and furloughs, including employees at Sotheby’s, Mass MoCA, the MFA, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Opera. Workers at the Met Museum of Art negotiated being paid through May 2, 2020. Nonprofit Law. While arts-related employers, employees, and freelancers are learning to navigate the reality of employment law and union negotiation, many
- [June 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/june-2020/) - What Do You Figure? DespiteProfessor Chika Okeke-Agulu (Princeton University) arguing that Christie’s should not sell a pair of Igbo sculptures taken by a French collector during the Nigerian Civil War, the figurines sold for under the estimate at the Christie’s sale in late June. No Silence Aloud. Hong Kong-based artists living in Europe are launching a platform called Silence is Compliance, featuring live-streamed
- [May 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/may-2020/) - Open With Caution. After China lifted its social distancing rules, the UNESCO world heritage site of the Huangshan mountains in Anhui province was flooded with visitors and was eventually closed back temporarily in March. Meanwhile, the Forbidden City has been reopened but visitor numbers are restricted to 5,000 a day. Museums Take the Hit. As Singapore was hit by
- [Summer 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/summer-2022/) - Coming Home. The Natural History Museum of Vienna (NHM) is returning two skulls, which belonged to a Hawaiian man and woman from the colonial era to the United States. An English adventurer, William Green, had stolen them from a grave in the 19th century, after which the skulls were sold and were part of a collection in the
- [April 2017](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/april-2017/) - Portrait in “Wall-y”. The missing Gustav Klimt masterpiece “Portrait of a Lady,” was found in the walls of an Italian villa. This painting went missing in 1997 from the Ricci Oddi gallery in the northern city of Piacenza. If the piece is authentic it’s recovery will offer some objectively good news to the art world.
- [June 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/briefs/june-2016/) - Portrait in “Wall-y”. The missing Gustav Klimt masterpiece “Portrait of a Lady,” was found in the walls of an Italian villa. This painting went missing in 1997 from the Ricci Oddi gallery in the northern city of Piacenza. If the piece is authentic it’s recovery will offer some objectively good news to the art world.

## Сase Law Archives

- [November 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/november-2023/) - Reif v. Art Institute of Chicago, 1:23-cv-02443-JGK, (SDNY, November 9, 2023). In a new Nazi-looted art case, parties gave oral arguments on Friday November 9, 2023 in a motion to dismiss hearing. This case is another in a line of cases involving the artwork formerly belonging to the Grünbaum family. Fritz Grünbaum was an Austrian-Jewish
- [January 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/january-2024/) - New York Times Company v. Microsoft Corporation, OpenAI, Inc., et al., No. 1:23-cv-11195 (Dec. 27, S.D.N.Y 2023) The New York Times took legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging the companies of copyright infringement, specifically the unauthorized scraping of NY Times content for the creation of AI products that compete with the publication. The lawsuit
- [August 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/august-2023/) - U.S. v. Wendy Halsted Beard, 2:22−mj−30439 (E.D. Mich. filed Oct. 12, 2022). Wendy Halstead Beard, a former art dealer in Birmingham, Michigan accused of defrauding ten customers, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud as part of her plea deal on July 13, 2023, . Beard was entrusted with selling fine art photographs on
- [December 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/december-2023/) - Postiglione & J.P. Getty Trust v. Ministry of Culture (Sixth Section, no.09962/2023) In a case brought on appeal by Alex Herbert Postiglione (Herbert), the Sixth Section of The Council of State in Italy ruled in favor of Herbert and the J.P. Getty Trust on November 21st regarding their rightful purchase of The Miracle of The
- [From the July 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-july-2020-newsletter/) - United States United States v. Philbrick, No. 1:20-MJ-04507 (S.D.N.Y. filed Apr. 30, 2020). On April 30, 2020, a complaint was filed in the Southern District of New York charging Inigo Philbrick, an art dealer specializing in post-war and contemporary fine art, with galleries in London, United Kingdom, and Miami, Florida, with engaging in a multi-year scheme to defraud various individuals and entities
- [October 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/october-2023/) - In re Barnes Foundation, No. 1958-X0788, (Pa. Orphans’ Ct. July 21, 2023). A judge ruled in favor of a petition for a new loan policy for the Barnes Foundation in July 2023. The order represents another step in a string of re-interpretations of the will left by Dr. Albert Barnes, the founder of the collection
- [September 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/september-2023/) - Kerson v. Vermont Law School, Inc., No. 21-2904 (2d Cir. 2023) In the 1990s, artist Sam Kerson painted a mural within Vermont Law School which depicted the brutality of slavery and Vermont’s hand in protesting slavery and helping people escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Due to the recent shift in racial climate in
- [From the February 2019 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-february-2019-newsletter/) - The Art and Antique Dealers League of Am., Inc. et al v. Basil Seggos, No. 1:2018cv02504 (S.D.N.Y. filed Feb. 1, 2019). The Art and Antiques Dealers League of America brought an action against the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) claiming that the New York State Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0535-A is
- [From the May 2018 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-may-2018-newsletter-2/) - Neumann v. Sotheby’s, Inc., No. 652170/2018 (Sup. Ct. NY, filed May 3, 2018). This dispute, now pending appeal, involves the 86 year-old paterfamilias of the Neumann family, who seeks an injunction against Sotheby’s from offering the painting “Flesh and Spirit” by Jean-Michel Basquiat for sale. Neumann alleged that per a 2015 agreement, which was confirmed a
- [July 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/july-2023/) - Audrey Thomas v. Anna Sorokin, No 150109/2023 (NY S.C., May 26, 2023) Art world fraudster and faux socialite Anna Sorokin, who went by the name of Anna Delvey when she scammed New York’s elite out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, has been sued by her lawyer for failure to pay legal fees. Audrey Thomas
- [From the May 2023 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-may-2023-newsletter/) - Yuga Labs, Inc. v. Ripps, 2:22-cv-04355, (C.D. Cal.) (June 24, 2022) In a recent update to the ongoing litigation, Yuga Labs filed a motion for partial summary judgment on its claim for false designation of origin. Defendants argued that NFTs are intangible and thus not eligible for trademark protection, but the court ruled against them,
- [From the June 2023 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-june-2023-newsletter/) - Michael Moebius, et al. Plaintiff, v. The Individuals Corporations, Limited Liabilities Companies, Partnerships, and Unincorporated Associations, et al., No. 1:22−cv−06079 (N.D. Ill. June 6, 2023) Artist Michael Mobius has been awarded $120 million, one of the largest monetary awards given to a living artist, due to claims of rampant copyright violations done through counterfeiting. Mobius
- [From the January 2018 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-january-2018-newsletter/) - Hearty v. The Bonfoey Company, 1:18-cv-00015 (N.D. Ohio Jan. 3, 2018) Plaintiffs, a married couple, have filed suit against the Bonfoey Gallery, the Bonfoey Company’s president, and an art dealer in Florida that Bonfoey sold the painting at issue to. Plaintiffs stored their painting, Shades of Evening by George Inness, at their 94-year-old mother’s home, after
- [From the December 2018 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-december-2018-newsletter/) - Otto v. Hearst Communications, Inc., No. 1:17-cv-04712 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 10, 2018). A case over a photo misused by several media sources to headline stories about US President Donald Trump highlights how Copyright law extends to amateur photographers, such as Jonathan Otto in this case. The Southern District allowed Otto to claim originality in his work, and found that Esquire.com’s
- [From the August 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-august-2022-newsletter/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the January 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-january-2020-newsletter/) - United States State v. Roderick Webber, No. B-19-031881 (Fla. DDC. filed Dec. 10, 2019). After performance artist David Detuna ate Maurizio Cattelan’s banana at Art Basel Miami in December 2019, Roderick Webber used the empty space to scribble the words “EPSTIEN [sic] DIDNT KILL HIMSELF.” He is now is defending himself in court against charges of vandalism brought
- [From the December 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-december-2022-newsletter/) - Accent Delight International LTD. v. Sotheby’s, No. 18-CV-9011 (JMF) (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 3, 2022). Since 2015, Russian Billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev waged a legal battle against Swiss businessman Yves Bouvier, accusing him of art fraud. In a recent development, Rybolovlev is suing Sotheby’s over the company’s role in Bouvier’s scheme. Ryobolovlev alleges he was swindled out of
- [From the January 2019 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-january-2019-newsletter/) - One and J Gallery v. Christie’s Inc. et al, No. 650005/2019 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. filed Jan. 02, 2019). One and J Gallery’s motion for a temporary injunction pending arbitration to halt Christie’s sale of an unnamed Francis Bacon painting, worth at least $10 million, has been discontinued. Christie’s acted as the exclusive agent of One and
- [From the April](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-april/) - U.S. v. Van Dyke, No. 2:21-cr-00216 (D. Wash. 23, 2021). In two closely related but separate cases, two Washington-based artists, Jerry Chris Van Dyke and Lewis Anthony Rath, plead guilty to misrepresenting their heritage as Native Americans. Rath and Van Dyke claimed to be descendants of federally-recognized tribes San Carlos Apache and Nez Perce, respectively.
- [From the March](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-march/) - Hermès International v. Rothschild, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, No. 1:22-cv-00384 (Feb. 8, 2023). In a landmark NFT case, a Manhattan jury held that the digital creations developed by Mason Rothschild (also known as Sonny Estival) and titled “MetaBirkins” infringed on Hermès trademark rights on its Birkin bag. The jury
- [From the February 2023 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-february/) - Robert Armijo v. Ozone Networks, INC., et al., Defendants, No. 3:22-cv-00112-MMD-CLB, 2023 WL 319577 (D. Nev Jan. 19, 2023) Following a failed attempt at trading one of his NFTs on Discord, Robert Armijo, plaintiff, filed suit against Yuga Labs, OpenSea, and LooksRare, for allegedly not providing adequate prevention of theft, allowing access to NFTs that
- [From the January 2023 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-january-2023-newsletter/) - Cbre, Inc. v. Pace Gallery of New York, No. 17-CV-2452 (ALC)(SN) (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 12, 2022). After nearly five years, a legal battle between the Pace Gallery and one of New York’s largest real estate firms CBRE has come to a close after a jury awarded the firm nearly $6.3 million in damages. In 2017, CBRE
- [From the April 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-april-2022-newsletter/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the April 2014 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/april-2014/) - Return to the Archives ACA Galleries, Inc. v. Joseph A. Kinney, 09-CIV-6649 (2nd Cir, Jan.15, 2014) -- court held that a gallery purchasing a work of art should investigate and consult experts before purchasing a painting and cannot maintain a claim against the seller because it failed to investigate the authenticity of the painting. Basquiat
- [From the 2014 Newsletters](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-2014-newsletters/) - Return to the Case Corner Archives - Main Page BRAND X EDITIONS, LTD. v. Wool, 2014 N.Y. Slip Op 50005 (Sup. Ct. 2014) -- breach of contract for production of prints in a work for hire; preliminary conference scheduled for Jan. 28, 2014, at Supreme Court, New York County, 60 Centre Street, Room 228, New
- [From the February 2018 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/february-2018/) - Cenedella v. Metro. Museum of Art,No. 1:2018-cv-01029 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2018). Artist Robert Cenedella filed a $100 million antitrust class action in Manhattan federal court against the giants of the New York art world, namely the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the New
- [From the March 2018 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/march-2018/) - Equinox Gallery Ltd. v. Dorfman, 360 F. Supp. 3d 560 (S.D.N.Y. 2018). The Southern District of New York ruled in favor of the Equinox Gallery in Vancouver, Canada, against Fred Dorfman, famous New York art dealer facing civil charges for selling stolen work by Jasper Johns. More information here.
- [From the April 2018 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-april-2018-newsletter/) - Reif, Fraenkel, and Vavra v. Nagy, No. 161799/2015 (N.Y. App. Div, April 5, 2018). The New York Superior Court awarded title of two Egon Schiele paintings to the heirs of Holocaust victim Franz Friedrich, in application of the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act 2016, which expands federal statute of limitation for Nazi-era looted art to six years.
- [May 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-may-2018-newsletter/) - Neumann v. Sotheby’s, Inc., No. 652170/2018 (Sup. Ct. NY, filed May 3, 2018). This dispute, now pending appeal, involves the 86 year-old paterfamilias of the Neumann family, who seeks an injunction against Sotheby’s from offering the painting “Flesh and Spirit” by Jean-Michel Basquiat for sale. Neumann alleged that per a 2015 agreement, which was confirmed a
- [July 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/july-2018/) - Matter of Salz, 2018 NY Slip Op 04965 (App. Div. July 5, 2018). New York’s First Department Appellate Division affirmed the Surrogate’s court decision to dismiss the petition for discovery by a newly-appointed administrator of the Sam Salz Estate on the grounds that fraud which might have been conducted in settling the affairs of the renowned
- [September 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/september-2018/) - Adrian Falkner v. General Motors Company et al., 2:18-cv-00549 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 17, 2018). A California federal judge allowed the street artist Adrian Falkner to move forward in his copyright lawsuit against General Motors over an advertisement that incorporated his work. GM failed to convince the judge on summary judgment that the mural was inseparable from the parking
- [October 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/october-2018/) - Accent Delight International Ltd. et al v. Sotheby’s et al, 1:18-cv-09011-JMF (Oct. 2, 2018). In another international and voluminous case, now against Sotheby’s, the Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev claims that Swiss businessman and art dealer Yves Bouvier defrauded him in connection with the purchase of a world-class art collection, to the tune of approximately one billion dollars.
- [November 2018](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/november-2018/) - Sotheby’s v. de Saint Donat-Pourrieres, No. 1:17-cv-00326 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 6, 2018). Federal NY judge ordered the seller of a painting of Saint Jerome that had been attributed to Parmigianino to refund Sotheby’s after an expert report “conclusively” found that the painting was a “modern forgery.” Decision is available upon request. Bruce Berg v. Kingdom of The Netherlands et
- [From the February 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-february-2020-newsletter/) - United States Philipp et al. v. Federal Republic of Germany et al., 894 F.3d 406 (D. D.C. 2018). The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed its decision on whether to hear an appeal brought by German state museums regarding the proper ownership of the Guelph Treasure, which is estimated to be worth at least €200 million. The treasure is
- [From the March 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-march-2020-newsletter/) - United States Oliver v. Boone et al., No. 1:2020-cv-00332 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 14, 2020). New York Art dealer, Mary Boone, is facing a lawsuit brought by her former associate, James Oliver. Last Spring, Boone was sentenced to 30 months in prison for filing false tax returns and using $1.16 million in gallery funds for personal expenses. The
- [From the April 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-april-2020-newsletter/) - United States Tarducci v. Coates, No. 1:2020-cv-00069 (D. R.I. Feb. 11, 2020). Artist Mia Tarducci is suing gallery owner Kristen Coats for copyright infringement. Tarducci consigned several to her paintings to Coats’ Bellvue Gallery in Newport, RI in 2016. Later, Tarducci noticed very similar works for sale on Coates’ website, purporting to be Coate’s own work. The complaint
- [From the May 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-may-2020-newsletter/) - United States Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance has struck a deal with Christie’s, putting an end to an investigation into the auction house’s violations of the New York Tax Law and New York Penal Law. The latter will pay up to $10 million in fines to the State of New York for failing to collect New
- [From the June 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-june-2020-newsletter/) - United States Silvain v. Christie’s Inc., No. 5:20-cv-01608 (N.D. Cal. filed on Mar. 4, 2020). Christian Silvain, a self-taught artist based in Belgium, acquired proper copyright registration for a number of his artworks. But, Ye Yongqing, an artist based in China, made a number of paintings in a style identical, or at least very similar, to Silvain’s style. Christie’s
- [From the August 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-august-2020-newsletter/) - United States Firooz Zahedi v. Miramax, LLC et al., No. 2:20-CV-04512 (C.D. Cal. filed on May 19, 2020). Iranian photographer Firooz Zahedi, represented by Doniger Burroughs, has filed suit against Miramax, Amazon, Urban Outfitters and over 20 other retailers for copyright infringement. The artist is claiming that Miramax misappropriated and unlawfully licensed the use of
- [From the September 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-september-2020-newsletter/) - United States Bell et al. v. The Hershey Co. et al., No. 1:20-cv-03331 (E.D.N.Y. filed on July 24, 2020). Brooklyn-based artist Andrew Bell is suing chocolate manufacturer Hershey, following cease-and-desist letters he received last year to enjoin him from selling his pricey vinyl sculptures, with monster-like faces and sharp teeth, which carry names like “Kisses of Death” and “Kill Kats.”
- [From the October 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-october-2020-newsletter/) - United States Alexander v. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., No. 18-cv-966 (S.D. Ill. March 18, 2020). In this copyright infringement lawsuit stemming from the reproduction of Alexander’s tattoo art on a WWE wrestler’s figure, Randy Orten, in a video game produced by Take-Two, the Southern District of Illinois granted a partial motion for summary judgment for the Plaintiff more
- [From the November 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-november-2022-newsletter-2/) - United States teamLab Inc v. Museum of Dream Space et al., No. 2:19-cv-6906 (C.D. Cal. filed Aug. 8 2019). teamLab, an interdisciplinary art collective headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is suing the Museum of Dream Space, a Los-Angeles based museum that also displays interactive artworks, for copyright infringement of two distinct exhibitions. The exhibitions titled “Universe of Water Particles,
- [From the December 2020 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-december-2020-newsletter/) - United States U.S. v. Harold Gordon, No. 3:19-cr-00028 (D. Conn. Sept. 30, 2020). Art and antiquities dealer Harold Gordon, has pleaded guilty to crafting a forgery of a civil war era desk, with immaculate skill that duped experts for years. He was charged with wire fraud for receiving money for the forged desk and forged provenance. He has
- [From the July 2021 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-july-2022-newsletter-2/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the August 2021 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-august-2021-newsletter/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the January 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-february-2022-newsletter-2/) - Spencer Elden v. Nirvana, L.L.C., et al., No. 2:21-cv-06836 (C.D Cal. 2021) (Jan. 3, 2022) The plaintiff, Spencer Elden, earlier sued the band Nirvana, for use of Elden’s baby photo for their album cover. Elden argued that it constituted commercial child sexual exploitation. The judge, Fernando Olguin, dismissed the case on something of a technicality: Elden’s
- [From the February 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-february-2022-newsletter/) - Morgan Art Foundation v. Michael McKenzie, No. 1:18-cv-04438-AT-BCM (S.D.N.& filed Dec. 10, 2021). ArtNet reported that the Morgan Art Foundation (MAF) filed an “explosive memorandum” last December in its lawsuit against publisher McKenzie. Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses calendared a 2-½ hour March 1 hearing. “Given the gravity of the allegations made by MAF,” Judge Moses writes,
- [From the March 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-march-2022-newsletter/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the May 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-may-2022-newsletter/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the June 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-june-2022-newsletter/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the July 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-july-2022-newsletter/) - United States Vincent Sicre de Fontdrune, et. al., v. Alan Wofsy, (Ct. App. 9th) (July 13, 2022) D.C. No. 5:13-cv-05957- EJD In the 1930’s, Christian Zervos, a photographer, created a catalogue raisonne of the works of Pablo Picasso. In 1979, Yves Sicre de Fontbrune acquired all of Zervos’ intellectual property rights, including those of the
- [From the November 2022 Newsletter](https://itsartlaw.org/case-law-archives/from-the-november-2022-newsletter/) - Art Works, Inc. v. Al-Hadid, 2022 NY Slip Op 31522 - NY: Supreme Court 2022 The New York State Supreme Court ruled in favor of Diana Al-Hadid in her legal battle against gallery owner Marianne Boesky. The complaint orbited a single unnamed bronze sculpture and who owned it. According to Boesky, when Al-Hadid left the

## Courses and Programs

- [United States Courses](https://itsartlaw.org/courses-and-programs/united-states-courses/) - Last updated: April 2026 Law Schools American University Washington School of Law: Law and the Visual Arts (Former Faculty: Joshua Kaufman): Introduces students to the full range of legal issues that arise concerning works of art, the art market, and the art world. Topics to be covered include artist gallery relation, auction house procedures and
- [Summer Programs](https://itsartlaw.org/courses-and-programs/summer-programs/) - Association for Research into Crimes against Art: Postgraduate Certificate Program in Art Crime and Cultural Heritage Protection This academically-challenging, eleven course program will provide in-depth, postgraduate level instruction in important theoretical and practical elements related to art and heritage crime. By examining art crime’s interconnected world, participants will experience an integrated curriculum in a participatory setting.
- [Online Courses](https://itsartlaw.org/courses-and-programs/online-courses/) - ArtTactic provides online seminars on art market research and analysis for professionals looking to become art market analysts. Online. Christie’s Education online courses offer the flexibility to learn about the art world, wherever you are based. Their portfolio of online courses is designed to provide an exceptional learning experience by delivering courses that immerse you
- [International Courses](https://itsartlaw.org/courses-and-programs/international-courses/) - Law Schools Luiss Master in Art Law (LL.M) This program comprehensively addresses all the various legal issues involved in the overall regulation of the art sector. Through classes, workshops, case studies, seminars, conferences along with the establishment of a direct contact with art specialist lawyers, art industry experts, consultants and academics, the LL.M fosters the

## Our People

- [Dylan Cosgrove](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/dylan-cosgrove/)
- [Natasha Philips-Geen](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/natasha-philips-geen/)
- [Victoria Cook](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/victoria-cook/)
- [Eleanna Antonatou](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/eleanna-antonatou/)
- [Cara Ianuale](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/cara-ianuale/)
- [Sam Brady-Myerov](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sam-brady-myerov/)
- [Sophia Molina](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sophia-molina/)
- [Ian Silverstein](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/ian-silverstein/)
- [Hannah Gadway](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hannah-gadway-jd/)
- [Kira Hernandez](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kira-hernandez/)
- [Lena Rohde](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lena-rohde/)
- [Rebecca Amen](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/rebecca-amen/)
- [Olha Wolanski](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/olha-wolanski/) - Olha is a UI/UX Designer striving to enhance the quality of people’s lives by creating seamless user-centric experiences with digital products.
- [Maureen McGovern](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/maureen-mcgovern/)
- [Olena Iegorova](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/olena-iegorova/) - Olena Iegorova is an independent curator, educator and cultural practitioner. After establishing her art and education center in Odessa, Ukraine, she worked on multiple public art projects, including city-scale street art festivals, charity fairs and exhibitions since 2014. The main focus of her practice is lying on the intersection of art and education, with an
- [Savannah Weiler](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/savannah-weiler/)
- [Marina Rastorfer](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/marina-rastorfer/)
- [Halle O'Hern](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/halle-ohern/)
- [Jacqueline Koutrodimos-Lewis](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jacqueline-koutrodimos-lewis/)
- [Alexandra Kharchenko](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alexandra-kharchenko/)
- [Donyea James](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/donyea-james/)
- [Irina Tarsis](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/irina-tarsis/) - Irina Tarsis, Esq., is the Founder and Managing Director of the Center for Art Law. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, she is an American attorney and educator with training in art history, business, and law. Ms. Tarsis earned her Master's degree in Art History from Harvard University and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School
- [Louise Carron](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/louise-carron/) - Louise Carron currently works as the Publishing, Media & Entertainment Attorney at Penguin Random House. She previously advised clients as an Associate at Klaris Law PLLC from 2021 to 2025, and served as the Executive Director with the Center for Art Law from 2019 to 2021. Ms. Carron is primarily focused on contractual matters, copyright
- [Atreya Mathur](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/atreya-mathur/) - Atreya Mathur, joined the Center first as our inaugural Judith Bresler fellow in 2021. A Master of Laws Graduate from New York University School of Law where she specialized in Competition, Innovation, and Information Laws, with a focus on copyright, intellectual property, and art law. She is a legal scholar from India and received her
- [Caryn Kepler](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/caryn-kepler/) - Caryn Keppler is a principal in Offit Kurman’s Estates and Trusts Practice Group. Caryn considers herself a "primary care provider," whose role is to recognize and solve a client's multiple legal issues and, if necessary, direct them to other specialists as needed. She has extensive experience in all aspects of estate, gift, and charitable planning
- [Tess Bonoli](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/tess-bonoli/) - Tess Bonoli is an attorney at Morrison Cohen LLP, where she focuses on intellectual property, technology, privacy and data security matters. She represents clients with respect to intellectual property rights and strategic licensing, art acquisitions, cryptocurrency and digital artwork, trademark prosecution, technology transactions, and privacy compliance and data security considerations. Tess studied classical archaeology at Tufts University and participated in
- [Shaila Gray](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/shaila-gray/)
- [Vivianne Diaz](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/vivianne-diaz/)
- [Rebecca Bennett](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/rebecca-bennett/)
- [Josie Goettel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/josie-goettel/)
- [Lauren Stein](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lauren-stein/)
- [Kamée Payton](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kamee-payton/) - Kamée Payton is a Master of Laws graduate from the University of York where she studied Art Law. During her graduate studies she worked as an editor for the York Law Review, completed an internship at the fine arts auction house, Tennants Auctioneers, and wrote a comparative law dissertation titled Art in Lieu of Cash: An Exploration
- [Elena Gurevich](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/elena-gurevich-2/) - Elena Gurevich has been involved with the Center for Art Law for over seven years, where she has played a pivotal role in securing funding, fostering strategic partnerships, and supporting the organization’s growth and impact in the arts and legal communities. An experienced intellectual property attorney, Elena earned her LL.M. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School
- [Shelby Jorgensen](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/shelby-jorgensen-3/)
- [Alexandra Deplas](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alexandra-deplas/) - Alexandra Deplas is a Manager & Counsel - Trademark & Copyright at American Express. She received her Juris Doctor from New York Law School, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Communication from Boston College.
- [Shelby Jorgensen](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/shelby-jorgensen-2/)
- [Justine Chen](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/justine-chen/)
- [Kaede Kusano](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kaede-kusano/)
- [Lulu Yang](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lulu-yang/)
- [Kate Harrell](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kate-harrell/)
- [Eva Bella](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/eva-bella/)
- [Ava Mandele](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/ava-mandele/)
- [Andrew Dearman](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/andrew-dearman/)
- [Vivika Gerogianni](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/vivika-gerogianni/)
- [Parsa Zaheri](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/parsa-zaheri/)
- [Juliette Groothaert](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/juliette-groothaert/)
- [Shelby Jorgensen](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/shelby-jorgensen/)
- [Jagna Schmude](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jagna-schmude/)
- [Austin San Juan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/austin-san-juan/)
- [Alexa Donovan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alexa-donovan/)
- [Elena Gurevich](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/elena-gurevich-2025/) - Elena Gurevich is a New York-based intellectual property attorney who specializes in guiding businesses through the rapidly evolving field of AI law. Over the last few years, she has immersed herself in AI regulatory frameworks and compliance standards, earning recognition as a thought leader among her 7,000+ LinkedIn followers. She is a proud contributor to
- [Elena Gurevich](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/elena-gurevich-advisor/) - Elena Gurevich is a NJ and NY-based intellectual property attorney who specializes in guiding businesses through the rapidly evolving field of AI law. Over the last few years, she has immersed herself in AI regulatory frameworks and compliance standards, earning recognition as a thought leader among her 7,000+ LinkedIn followers. She is a proud contributor
- [Briana Pierre](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/briana-pierre-2/) - Briana returned to the Center as our Development and Social Media Assistant, following her previous positions at the Center as a Spring 2024 Undergraduate Intern and 2024 Art Law Conference Assistant. She worked with the Center until April 2025.
- [Amanda Buonaiuto](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/amanda-buonaiuto/) - Amanda Buonaiuto joined the Center as a post graduate fellow 2024, and is currently serving as the Lead Researcher on the Center's Nazi-era Looted Art Restitution Project. She is a Brazilian lawyer who specialized in the restitution of Nazi-looted art during her L.L.M at the University of Bonn. She is the author of numerous articles
- [Debbie Perez](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/debbie-perez/)
- [Natalie Shtangrud](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/natalie-shtangrud/)
- [Devin Dowling](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/devin-dowling/)
- [Emily Ko](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/emily-ko/)
- [Megan Graham](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/megan-graham/)
- [Andrea Konigs](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/andrea-konigs/) - Andrea Konigs is an arts professional and a recent graduate of the dual degree program between Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University. After studying Art History and Political Humanities, she works as an Associate Art Advisor at The Fine Art Group in New York City, specializing in Post War and Contemporary art and artists. Andrea’s deep interest
- [Viola Könz](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/viola-konz/)
- [Tess Bonoli](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/tess-bonoli-2/) - Since 2019, Tess has been volunteering at the Center as our newsletter editor. Tess is an attorney at Morrison Cohen LLP, where she focuses on intellectual property, technology, privacy and data security matters. She represents clients with respect to intellectual property rights and strategic licensing, art acquisitions, cryptocurrency and digital artwork, trademark prosecution, technology transactions,
- [Paris Quetzal Sistilli](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/paris-quetzal-sistilli/)
- [Webster D. McBride](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/webster-d-mcbride/)
- [Yael M. Weitz](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/yael-m-weitz/) - Yaél M. Weitz, Counsel, Freedman Normand Friedland, LLP
- [Eileen Kinsella](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/eileen-kinsella/)
- [Ed McGorry](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/ed-mcgorry/)
- [Hon. Barbara Jaffe (ret.)](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hon-barbara-jaffe-ret/) - Honorable Barbara Jaffe is newly retired from the New York State Supreme Court, New York County. She is now Of Counsel to Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins & Goidel, PC, where she focuses exclusively on cases brought in the New York State Supreme and federal courts. Syracuse University awarded Judge Jaffe a BA, cum laude, after
- [Irina Tarsis](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/irina-tarsis-founder/) - Irina Tarsis, Esq. is an art historian and a practicing attorney admitted to the bar in New York State. She earned her Masters Degree in Art History from Harvard University and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (NY). Ms. Tarsis launched the Center for Art Law as a blog in 2008/2009. Under
- [Richard Lehun](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/richard-lehun/) - Richard Lehun is a Founding member of Stropheus, a New York-based legal and business collective for the arts. He is responsible for transactions involving fiduciary duties and conflicts of interest, particularly those relating to artist-gallery relations, artist commissions, art advising, consignor-auction house relations, gallery, museum, auction house, and non-profit ethics. He also works in the
- [Rakhel Milstein](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/rakhel-milstein/) - Rakhel Milstein is the founder of Milstein Law Group, a boutique immigration law firm located in downtown NYC. She has been practicing immigration law for over two decades, focusing on “extraordinary ability” visas and green cards. While she also handles all types of immigration matters, including standard work visas/green cards and family based cases, she
- [Jennifer Kreder](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jennifer-kreder/)
- [Hanoch Sheps](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hanoch-sheps/)
- [Minerva Pinto](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/minerva-pinto/) - Minerva Pinto is an attorney with experience in art, intellectual property, and trust and estate law. She currently serves as both an Art & Collectibles Strategist and Senior Trust Officer at Goldman Sachs, working with collectors, fiduciaries, commercial/nonprofit organizations, and artists to ensure effective and tax-efficient management of passion assets across generations. Before joining Goldman Sachs
- [Amanda Buonaiuto](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/amanda-buonaiuto-2/)
- [Morgan Austrich](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/morgan-austricht/)
- [Lorena Guzmán-Díaz](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lorena-guzman-diaz/)
- [Lydia Filipsson](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lydia-filipsson/)
- [Alanna Pitre](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alanna-pitre/)
- [Emily Finch](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/emily-finch/)
- [Emily Yan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/emily-yan/)
- [Eleanor Iris Gartstein](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/eleanor-iris-gartstein/)
- [Athena Lunau](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/athena-lunau/)
- [Olivia P. Taylor](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/olivia-p-taylor-ucla-j-d-2022-los-angeles-ca/)
- [Patrick K. Lin](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/patrick-k-lin/)
- [Hannah Gadway](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hanna-gadway/)
- [Patrick K. Lin](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/patrick-lin/)
- [Jessica Wessel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jessica-wessel/)
- [Jana S. Farmer](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jana-s-farmer-wilson-elser/)
- [Mia Tomijima](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/mia-tomijima-emeritus/)
- [Megan E. Noh](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/megan-e-noh/)
- [Blake Konkol](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/blake-konkol/)
- [Scott Sholder](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/scott-sholder/) - Scott J. Sholder, Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation group, focuses his practice on litigation, counseling, and dispute resolution in connection with entertainment, media, art, and intellectual property matters. Scott represents and advises clients across various industries in copyright, trademark, trade secrets, right-of-publicity, unfair competition, domain name, and commercial and business disputes, as well as defamation
- [Lindsay Korotkin](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lindsay-korotkin/) - Lindsay’s practice focuses on trademark, trade dress, copyright, right of publicity, and art market litigation, prosecution, and transactions. She represents and counsels clients ranging from Fortune 10 companies to individuals and family businesses across a wide array of industries, including: fashion, beauty & retail; art, media, publishing, music & entertainment; food, alcoholic beverage & health;
- [Sophie Balaÿ](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sophie-balay/)
- [Beverly Osazuwa](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/beverly-osa/)
- [Cynthia Gayton](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/cynthia-gayton-emeritus/)
- [Melina Sakellaris](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/melina-sakellaris-2/) - I am a senior in the Dual BA Columbia-Sciences Po studying Human Rights and Art History. I am passionate about the nexus between art and law, especially in issues regarding the preservation of cultural heritage and the repatriation of looted artworks. I greatly enjoy working at the Center and helping promote greater access to legal
- [Sophia Williams (since 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sophia-williams-since-2023/)
- [Cynthia Li](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/cynthia-li-2/) - Cynthia was an undergraduate intern at the Center for Art Law in the Spring of 2023. She continues to volunteer with the Center following her graduation from the University of Michigan (Class of 2023).
- [Theodora Dillman](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/theodora-dillman/)
- [Tianai Song](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/tianai-song/)
- [Helen Boone](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/helen-boone/)
- [Valencia Scott](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/valencia-scott/)
- [Joseph Scapellato](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/joseph-scapellato/)
- [Damla Karabay](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/damla-karabay/)
- [Noor Kadhim](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/noor-kadhim/) - Noor Kadhim, counsel with Fieldfisher (London), is a Solicitor Advocate of the English Courts, with over 15 years’ experience in international dispute resolution. Her areas are commercial and investment arbitration, UK and cross-border litigation, litigation funding, art and cultural heritage law, and international law. Noor's clients range from individuals to States and State entities in
- [Peter J. Toren](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/peter-j-toren/) - Peter J. Toren is an intellectual property attorney in Washington, D.C. where he helps individuals and companies protect their IP rights. Mr. Toren is representing his family in a case against the Federal Republic of Germany involving family art stolen during the Second World War. (Toren v. Federal Republic of Germany, 1:16-cv-01885-RJL (D.D.C.)). Prior to entering
- [Carol J. Steinberg](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/carol-j-steinberg/) - Carol J. Steinberg has practiced art, copyright, and entertainment law in New York City and on the East End of Long Island for over twenty years. She is a Member of the Faculty of the School of Visual Arts, where she teaches courses on artists’ rights. Ms. Steinberg is a co-chair of the Fine Arts Committee
- [Burton M. Fendelman (1937-2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/burton-m-fendelman/) - Burton M. Fendelman, Esq. was a practicing attorney with more than 30 years of experience in corporate business and finance. Obituary: Burton M Fendelman died February 16th [2024] with his wife Helaine Fendelman and their dog Marty by his side. Born in 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri, Burt grew up a fan of the St.
- [Paulina Picciano](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/paulina-picciano-2/) - Paulina Picciano (MA student in Art History with a concentration in Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies at Rutgers University) worked as an Editing Coordinator from 2022 to 2023. Her research interests include cultural heritage in times of conflict and plunder, cultural property trafficking, collecting and provenance research, art law, and intersections with the art market.
- [Rachel Sundar](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/rachel-sundar/)
- [Briana Pierre](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/briana-pierre/)
- [Suzanna Neal](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/suzanna-neal/)
- [Olivia Zinzi](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/olivia-zinzi/)
- [Eric Simon](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/eric-simon/)
- [Harper Johnson](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/harper-johnson/)
- [Andrew C. Adams](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/andrew-c-adams/) - Andrew Adams, a New York partner, advises companies and individuals in the areas of government and internal investigations, corporate governance, and white collar and regulatory matters. His practice includes a particular focus on anti-money laundering compliance, U.S. economic countermeasures and national security crisis response, drawing on Andrew’s time as the inaugural Director of the Department
- [Ashton Kozlik](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/ashton-kozlik/)
- [Stephanie Argueta](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/stephanie-argueta/)
- [Alexandra Even](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alexandra-even/)
- [Roxana Wang](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/roxana-wang/)
- [Lily Elkwood](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lily-elkwood/)
- [Madeline Halgren](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/madeline-halgren/) - Legal Intern, Fall
- [Caitlin O'Hare](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/caitlin-ohara/)
- [Olya Gurevich](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/olya-gurevich/) - Olya Gurevich is a linguist turned technologist focused on social good. She is currently at Spotify, helping ensure the safety of content presented to users. Previously she co-founded a company to track online disinformation, and has been a data scientist and manager at Apple, Microsoft, and several startups. Ms. Gurevich has a long-standing interest in
- [Angel Mai](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/angel-mai/)
- [Melina Sakellaris](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/melina-sakellaris/)
- [Filip Radzikowskii](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/filip-radzikowskii/)
- [Dea Sula](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/dea-sula/)
- [Jemima Gravatt](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jemima-gravatt/)
- [Valencia Tong](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/valencia-tong/)
- [Kouros Sadeghi-Nejad](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kouros-sadeghi-nejad/)
- [Esther Neville](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/esther-neville/)
- [Scotti Hill](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/scotti-hill/)
- [James Parker](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/james-parker/) - James Parker comes to the Center for Art Law as a recent graduate of New York Law School, Class of 2022. While there, his studies focused on Intellectual Property, namely Copyright. He earned his bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster where he studied Art History and French Language. Before law school, James worked in
- [Yvette Liebesman](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/yvette-liebesman/)
- [Sophia Williams](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sophia-williams/)
- [Kameron Keel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kameron-keel/)
- [Cynthia Li](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/cynthia-li/)
- [Natalie Glitz](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/natalie-glitz/)
- [Laura Dowdy](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/laura-dowdy/)
- [Barbie Kim](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/barbie-kim/)
- [Joseph Gergel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/joseph-gergel/)
- [Alisa Grishin](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alisa-grishin/)
- [Mary Kosdan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/mary-kosdan/)
- [Daphne Chen Matthews](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/daphne-chen-matthews-since-may-2021/)
- [B. Courtney Doagoo](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/b-courtney-doagoo/)
- [Masha Rasner](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/masha-rasner-emeritus/)
- [Jane Kinsella](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jane-kinsella/)
- [Nicholas Michael](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/nicholas-michael/)
- [Nina Rice](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/nina-rice/)
- [Anissa Patel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/anissa-patel/)
- [Kenza Tahri](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kenza-tahri/)
- [Nikki Vaffai](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/nikki-vaffai/)
- [Soleil Hawley](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/soleil-hawley/)
- [Hanna Tudor](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hanna-tudor/)
- [Wenni Iben](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/wenni-iben/)
- [Poppy Kemp](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/poppy-kemp/)
- [Irina Strelkovskaya](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/irina-strelkovskaya/)
- [Daniela Baiardi](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/daniela-baiardi/)
- [Jennifer Mass](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jennifer-mass/)
- [Murphy Chen](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/murphy-chen/)
- [Paulina Picciano](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/paulina-picciano/)
- [Hanoch Sheps](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hanoch-sheps-2/)
- [Jessica Curley](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jessica-curley/)
- [Dennis C. Abrams](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/dennis-c-abrams/)
- [Debra Friedmann](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/debra-friedmann/)
- [Melissa (YoungJae) Koo](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/melissa-youngjae-koo/)
- [Lesley Sotolongo](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lesley-sotolongo/)
- [Mia Tomijima](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/mia-tomijima/)
- [Lindsay Dekter](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lindsay-dekter-2/)
- [David Honig](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/david-honig/)
- [Adir Paner](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/adir-paner/)
- [Evie T. Joselow](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/evie-t-joselow/)
- [Diego R. Figueroa-Rodríguez](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/diego-r-figueroa-rodriguez/) - Diego R. Figueroa-Rodríguez, Of Counsel, DLA Piper is an attorney whose main practice focuses on representing issuers and underwriters in public finance transactions encompassing multiple types of financing structures. He has acted as counsel in over 50 financing transactions involving the issuance of over $21 billion of bonds. •Due to his involvement in the art world as
- [Jennie Nadel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jennie-nadel/)
- [Mia Guttmann](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/mia-guttmann/)
- [Sophie Chung](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sophie-chung/)
- [Olivia Taylor](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/olivia-taylor/)
- [Kathryn Moynihan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kathryn-moynihan/)
- [Hanna Feldman](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hanna-feldman/)
- [Samantha Bonilla](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/samantha-bonilla/)
- [Louise Carron](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/louise-carron-2/)
- [Jennie Nadel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jennie-nadel-2/)
- [Claire Dettelbach](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/claire-dettelbach/)
- [Ethan Ashley](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/ethan-ashley/)
- [Samantha Smart](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/samantha-smart/)
- [Wylie Rechler](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/wylie-rechler/)
- [Shlomit Heering](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/shlomit-heering/)
- [Alexandra Terrell](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alexandra-terrell/)
- [Tyler Maxin](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/tyler-maxin/)
- [Caroline Keegan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/caroline-keegan/)
- [Madeline Conlin](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/madeline-conlin/)
- [Laura Richardson](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/laura-richardson/)
- [Colby Meagle](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/colby-meagle/)
- [Jason Barnes](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jason-barnes/)
- [Nina Mesfin](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/nina-mesfin/)
- [Samantha Elie](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/samantha-elie/)
- [Heather DeSerio](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/heather-deserio/)
- [Marine Leclinche](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/marine-leclinche/)
- [Lindsay Dekter](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lindsay-dekter/)
- [Elizabeth Weber](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/elizabeth-weber/)
- [Jessica Preis](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jessica-preis/)
- [Adelaide Dunn](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/adelaide-dunn/)
- [Bianca Acquaviva](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/bianca-acquaviva/)
- [Laurel Salisbury](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/laurel-salisbury/)
- [Madhulika Murali](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/madhulika-murali/)
- [Timothy Chung](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/timothy-chung/)
- [Yuchen Xie](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/yuchen-xie/)
- [Angela Dimery](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/angela-dimery/)
- [Cates Saleeby](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/cates-saleeby/)
- [Hannah Tager](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/hannah-tager/)
- [Olivia Baker](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/olivia-baker/)
- [Kelley Tackett](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kelley-tackett/)
- [Sabrina Soffer](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sabrina-soffer/)
- [Sara Osinski](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sara-osinski/)
- [Elena Gurevich](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/elena-gurevich/)
- [Jacqueline Crispino](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/jacqueline-crispino/)
- [Marla Katz](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/marla-katz/)
- [SaBreigha Dixon](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/sabreigha-dixon/)
- [Talia Berniker](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/talia-berniker/)
- [Christopher Zheng](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/christopher-zheng/)
- [Lucy Siegel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/lucy-siegel/)
- [Michelle Bailes Perdew](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/michelle-bailes-perdew-2/)
- [Amber Lee](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/amber-lee/)
- [Kelsey Clifford](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/kelsey-clifford/)
- [Rinnah Anosike](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/rinnah-anosike/)
- [Marissa Hong](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/marissa-hong/)
- [Visala Alagappan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/visala-alagappan/)
- [Claire Darrow](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/claire-darrow/)
- [Michelle Bailes Perdew](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/michelle-bailes-perdew/)
- [Alexa Sussmane](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alexa-sussmane/)
- [Isabella Rivera](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/isabella-rivera/)
- [Gabrielle Discafani](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/gabrielle-discafani/)
- [Tyler Heneghan](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/tyler-heneghan/)
- [David Jenkins](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/david-jenkins/)
- [Laura Kaiser](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/laura-kaiser/)
- [Marie Kessel](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/marie-kessel/)
- [Minelli Manoukian](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/minelli-manoukian/)
- [Alexis Redsahaw](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/alexis-redsahaw/)
- [Julianne Schmidt](https://itsartlaw.org/employees/julianne-schmidt/)

## Events

- [Art + Law Colloquium Case Study: Cranach Painting at the North Carolina Museum of Art](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-colloquium-case-study-cranach-painting-at-the-north-carolina-museum-of-art/) - Learn about the provenance and restitution of the Cranach painting at the North Carolina Museum of Art. A beloved Cranach painting at the North Carolina Museum of Art was accused of being looted by the Nazis. During this event, Professor Gerhardt described the issues at stake and the evidentiary trail that led to an unusual
- [Art Markets & the World in Transition: Frameworks Shaping Global Collecting](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-markets-the-world-in-transition-frameworks-shaping-global-collecting/) - About the Event: A timely conversation on shifting markets, legal change, and the future of collecting worldwide. The global art market is navigating one of its most turbulent periods in recent memory. Geopolitical uncertainty, shifting tax and tariff landscapes, and changes in collector interests are fundamentally reshaping where, how, and why art changes hands. Against
- [Making Sense of Collection Histories: Cultural Heritage in Context](https://itsartlaw.org/events/making-sense-of-collection-histories-cultural-heritage-in-context/) - About the Event: The late nineteenth to early twentieth century saw an explosion of the antiquities market in the Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean region – closely tied to the disintegrating Ottoman Empire and the rise of European colonisation of the Middle East. The fragile situation allowed for an increase in demand for and acquisition of
- [Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Artist Dealer Relationships](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-lawyering-bootcamp-artist-dealer-relationships/) - This was a Center for Art Law CLE program to train lawyers to assist visual artists and dealers in the unique aspects of their relationship. Center for Art Law’s Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Artist-Dealer Relationships was a full-day training aimed at preparing lawyers for working with visual artists and dealers, in the unique aspects of their relationship.
- [KNOW YOUR CLIENT, KNOW YOUR ART: Due Diligence in the Art Market (CLE)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/know-your-client-know-your-art-due-diligence-in-the-art-market-cle/) - About the Event: (This event was held in-person at Steptoe, New York [1114 Avenue of the Americas] AND Online.) For this event the Center for Art Law facilitated a discussion on the current state of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, and how recent and upcoming changes affect art market participants and transactions. The speakers offered an update
- [Artist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic-3/)
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-4/)
- [Art, Money, and the Law: Sanctions & AML Enforcement in 2026](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-money-and-the-law-sanctions-aml-enforcement-in-2026/) - This panel discussion focuses on the trends and tools available to help art market participants stay compliant with AML regulations, navigate expanding sanctions regimes, and contribute to a more robust and responsible art market. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has exacted a grave toll on Ukrainian lives and cultural heritage,
- [Art and Law Colloquium | A Just Future: International Law Requires Restitution of Nazi-Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-law-colloquium-a-just-future-international-law-requires-restitution-of-nazi-looted-art/) - About the Event For this event Center for Art Law was in conversation with Raymond J. Dowd as he discussed his recent article Taking The Profit Out of War: Why International Law Requires Restitution of Nazi-Looted Art published in the Fordham Law Review Online. Soft law? Or hard law? For decades diplomats, scholars and jurists have largely
- [Serpentine Legal Lab](https://itsartlaw.org/events/serpentine-legal-lab/) - About this Event Why would an art gallery in London be concerned with climate emergencies or legal design? Established 50 years ago, in 1970, the Serpentine Galleries makes it their business to explore connections between art and climate change, equality and education, new technologies and law. One of their initiatives, the Serpentine’s R&D Legal Lab, is testing and
- [What is Copy, Right?](https://itsartlaw.org/events/what-is-copy-right/) - Join us on May 27 for the highly anticipated Art Law Conference 2026, held at Brooklyn Law School and Online (Hybrid). Entitled “What is Copy, Right? Visual Art, AI, and the Law in the 21st Century,” this year’s conference explores the evolving relationship between visual art, copyright law, and artificial intelligence. Our event will feature
- [Art and Copyright Law Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-copyright-law-clinic/) - About the Event Copyright law is a body of federal law that grants authors exclusive rights over their original works — from paintings and photographs to sculptures, as well as other fixed and tangible creative forms. Once protection attaches, copyright owners have exclusive economic rights that allow them to control how their work is reproduced,
- [Art and Law Colloquium | Stolen Legacies: Law, Memory, and the Fight to Recover Nazi-Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-law-colloquium-stolen-legacies-law-memory-and-the-fight-to-recover-nazi-looted-art/)
- [Center for Art Law Summer School 2026](https://itsartlaw.org/events/center-for-art-law-summer-school-2026/)
- [Art and Law Workshop: Charitable Contributions | Tax Considerations for Artists and Collectors](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-law-workshop-estate-planning-tax-considerations-for-artists-and-collectors/) - About the Event: During this event Center for Art Law was very pleased to be hearing from attorneys Karin Gross and Kimberly Tyson. With over 30 years of experience, Ms. Gross is an expert in the area of tax law and specializes in the area of tax aspects for charitable giving. She served in the
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-5/) - About this event Calling all visual artists: join the Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic for an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. This event began with a 25 minute presentation, tailored specifically to artists and art collectors, on legacy
- ['No-Strike': Protection of Cultural Heritage against War Crimes in Syria](https://itsartlaw.org/events/no-strike-protection-of-cultural-heritage-against-war-crimes-in-syria/) - About this Event Learn about the research seeking to evaluate the effectiveness of no strike designations as a protection mechanism against war crimes. No strike designations for cultural heritage are one mechanism by which countries seek to uphold the requirements of the 1954 Hague Convention. As such, they are designed to be key instruments in
- [Art Law Conference 2025: Nazi-Era Disputed Art: Research & Restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-conference-2025-nazi-era-disputed-art-research-restitution/) - Center for Art Law annual Art Law Conference 2025 80 years after the end of World War II and more than 25 years after the 1998 Washington Conference, which set the stage for modern restitution efforts, we continue to face title disputes and build on the pioneering work of those who came before us. Decades
- [Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Copyright Law](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-lawyering-bootcamp-copyright-law/)
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-3/) - About this event: The Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic helps artists and gallerists negotiate effective and mutually-beneficial contracts. By connecting artists and dealers to attorneys, this Clinic looks to forge meaningful relations and to provide a platform for artists and dealers to learn about the laws that govern their relationship, as well as have their questions addressed
- [ABC's of Art Law: G is for General Counsel](https://itsartlaw.org/events/abcs-of-art-law-g-is-for-general-counsel/) - About this Event: Explore the legal challenges and responsibilities of General Counsel at leading museums, auction houses, and galleries. This event featured a discussion on the legal challenges and considerations facing General Counsels (GC) at museums, auction houses, and galleries. This program offered insight into how legal departments navigate the complex and evolving art world,
- [Recent Global Developments in Nazi-Looted Art Restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/events/recent-global-developments-in-nazi-looted-art-restitution/) - About this Event: Learn about the latest developments to the HEAR Act, the reform in the German Commission & use of digital tools in restitution efforts! Want to stay informed about the latest developments in the restitution of Nazi-looted art? Curious about what’s happening in the U.S. and Germany, or how new technologies are shaping
- [Rise & Fall of Inigo Philbrick: Distinguished Lecture with Eileen Kinsella](https://itsartlaw.org/events/rise-fall-of-inigo-philbrick-distinguished-lecture-with-eileen-kinsella/) - About this Event This event focused on art fraud investigations and reporting with focus on the Inigo Philbrick scandal and its impact on the contemporary art market. This event took place both in-person, Lester Pollack Colloquium Room (9th Floor of Furman Hall, NYU School of Law) AND online. Center for Art Law and NYU Law's Art
- [Art and Law Workshop: Do's and Don'ts of Copyright Licensing](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-law-workshop-dos-and-donts-of-copyright-licensing/) - About this Event Artists use copyright protection to keep their work from being used or sold without authorization. Art licensing is a way in which artists can license or “rent” their artwork to publishers, organizations, individuals and companies to use their artwork or to put on their products. But how does an artist license their
- [Art & Copyright Law Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-copyright-law-clinic/) - About this Event Copyright law is a body of federal law that grants authors exclusive rights over their original works — from paintings and photographs to sculptures, as well as other fixed and tangible creative forms. Once protection attaches, copyright owners have exclusive economic rights that allow them to control how their work is reproduced,
- [AI and Art Authentication: Forging Best Practices](https://itsartlaw.org/events/some-like-it-digital-ai-and-art-authentication-forging-best-practices/) - Artificial intelligence continues to evolve as a powerful tool across industries. Beyond generating or analyzing creative content, AI is increasingly being explored for use in art authentication—offering the potential to serve as a "fourth leg" in the process of determining whether a work of art is genuine. In this session of the Center for Art
- [Provenance Matters: The Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/events/provenance-matters-the-indian-himalayan-and-southeast-asian-art-market/) - About this Event Join the Center for Art Law along with speaker Sandhya Jain-Patel in examining the fundamental transformation of the Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian art market from a "gentleman's agreement" system to today's documentation-driven environment. This session covered the evolution of provenance requirements from pre-2000 practices through watershed moments including the Cambodia repatriations and
- [Blockchain and Art Provenance](https://itsartlaw.org/events/blockchain-and-art-provenance/) - About the Event: Center for Art Law invites you to the new series of events, Some Like it Digital, as the art world glows bright hot with possibilities promised by everything computers (AI, ML, NFT, R2D2). If there's a buzz word for this past decade it has got to be 'blockchain'. But, even with its
- [Case Law Database Showcase](https://itsartlaw.org/events/case-law-database-showcase/)
- [Artist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic-2/) - About this event This event began with a 25 minute presentation, tailored specifically to artists, on legacy and estate planning by Attorney Cynthia Pearson. Pearson provided guidance as to the logistics of planning for the preservation of an artist's oeuvre and legacy by detailing which documents need to be prepared, who to get in touch with,
- [An Introduction to Legacy Planning and Charitable Giving](https://itsartlaw.org/events/an-introduction-to-legacy-planning-and-charitable-giving/) - About this Event When planning for the preservation of their professional legacies and the future custodianship of their oeuvres’, artists are faced with unique concerns and challenges. In this workshop, attorney Pamela L. Grutman guided participants through the fundamentals of legacy planning while sharing insights from her expertise in charitable gift planning and philanthropic strategies
- [Beyond Copyright: Ethical Considerations of Generative AI](https://itsartlaw.org/events/beyond-copyright-ethical-considerations-of-generative-ai/) - About this Event While much of the discourse about generative AI relates to copyright, Patrick K. Lin refocuses the conversation on other ethical considerations, particularly bias, data collection, and environmental harm in this colloquium. Generative AI's racial, gender, cultural, and ideological biases are well documented and the byproduct of its training data. The technology also relies
- [Efforts to Recover India’s Idols & Heritage: Modern Tools for Old Crimes](https://itsartlaw.org/events/efforts-to-recover-indias-idols-heritage-modern-tools-for-old-crimes/) - About this Event Join the Center for Art Law for a conversation with S. Vijay Kumar, co-founder of the India Pride Project and author of The Idol Thief. This webinar explored the work of the India Pride Project in tracking, recovering, and securing the return of looted cultural artifacts to India. The session discussed the project’s origins, landmark restitution cases, and
- [Meet Me in the Metaverse (w/ Massimo Sterpi, Jesse Damiani & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/some-like-it-digital-meet-me-in-the-metaverse/) - About the Event Why spend time in Second Life, when we are not done with the first one? How many metaverses are there? One or multiple? and if there are multiple how do you know where you might have a date with art, entertainment, or destiny if you don’t have a map or clues to
- [Some Like it Digital: Art and Law of Domain Names for Artists (And All) (w/with Anne Gundelfinger, Kurt Pritz & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/some-like-it-digital-art-and-law-of-domain-names-for-artists-and-all/) - About the Event Now we all know that Google knows the answer, but what do you know about the laws that govern domain name registrations? Join the Center for Art Law for an insightful look at the history of domain names. In this event, we drilled down to specific examples of involving the art world.
- [Some Like It Digital: NFT’s and All (w/ Louise Carron, Kenny Schachter & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/some-like-it-digital-nfts-and-all-w-louise-carron-kenny-schachter-irina-tarsis/) - About the Event: What is this NFTmania all about? Minting and dropping have reentered our lexicon in 2021 with vengeance. Millions spent on code and proliferation of wallets to buy and sell files. Side-effects of the fin-tech age and the pandemic have ushered in new bragging rights and lawsuits waiting to happen. To explain NFTism
- [Some Like it Digital: NFT Marketplaces 24/7](https://itsartlaw.org/events/nft-marketplaces-24-7/) - About the Event NFTs, increasingly ubiquitous, and somehow rare, because non-fungible, have captured the imagination of the creatives and the speculative alike. Assuming NFTs are here to stay, overpriced or not, and so the question is where does one go to make/get/or sell an NFT and why? What should artists and collectors keep in mind
- [Making Sense of the AML Regulations & the Art Market (CLE)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/making-sense-of-the-aml-regulations-the-art-market-cle/) - About the Event: This event was offered in conjunction with the 2025 Art Law Summer School. The speakers discussed the current state of the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), and how recent and upcoming changes affect art market participants and transactions. The speakers offered an update on the regulatory landscape in the United States, issues with
- [Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Artist-Dealer Relationships (June 24, 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-lawyering-bootcamp-artist-dealer-relationships-june-24-2025/) - About this event Center for Art Law’s Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Artist-Dealer Relationships was an in-person, full-day training aimed at preparing lawyers for working with visual artists and dealers, in the unique aspects of their relationship. The bootcamp was led by veteran attorneys specializing in art law. This Bootcamp provided participants -- attorneys, law students, law graduates
- [Center for Art Law Showcase: Internships](https://itsartlaw.org/events/center-for-art-law-internships-showcase/) - Every year, we at the Center for Art Law host three terms of internships. This showcase was designed to answer questions and invite new applications from those curious about what it is like to intern at the Center for Art Law. Should we make the recording of this showcase available? Please contact us with your
- [Center for Art Law Showcase: Judith Bresler Fellowship](https://itsartlaw.org/events/center-for-art-law-judith-bresler-fellowship-showcase/) - About this Event Along with a desire to forge meaningful connections between law and the arts, the Center for Art Law is committed to educating visual artists and the attorneys who defend them. In recognition of the numerous contributions that Judith Bresler (1946-2020) made to advance the art law field as a lawyer, professor, author, mentor, and
- [Art and Law Meet at the Harvard Art Museums](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-law-meet-at-the-harvard-art-museums/) - About this Event This virtual tour, led by Hannah Gadway (Center for Art Law Outreach Coordinator, Harvard College ’25, HLS ’28) invited viewers to observe three of the paintings in the Harvard Art Museums' collections through the art law lens. The tour explored a few examples of how law serves to protect the interests of
- [Art and Law at the Kunsthaus Zurich: Special Tour and Discussion](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-law-at-the-kunsthaus-zurich-special-tour-and-discussion/) - This Center for Art Law event took place at the Kunsthaus Zürich, one of Switzerland’s leading art museums, vested with history and culture. Guided tours of the exhibition “A Future for the Past: The Bührle Collection: art, context, war and conflict” offered background on the collector, and the legal complexities surrounding the works. The Bührle
- [Moral Rights in Practice](https://itsartlaw.org/events/moral-rights-in-practice/) - About this Event Moral rights give artists the ability to protect both their authorship and the integrity of their work. They determine whether an artist can be credited properly, and whether their work can be altered, destroyed, or presented in ways that might harm their reputation. While European law provides broad and longstanding protections, the
- [You’ve Been Served: "F For Fake" (1973) w/ Aaron H. Crowell @ Brooklyn Law School (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-f-for-fake-1973-w-aaron-h-crowell-brooklyn-law-school-ny/) - Center for Art Law and Brooklyn Law School Art Law Association invite you to dinner and a movie in Brooklyn! The Movie Our first film in the "You've Been Served" 2016 Series is the 1973 classic, F for Fake with and by the legendary Orson Welles. The film, with "one hour of truth," loosely documents and
- [Lessons Not Learned, Fraudsters in the Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/events/lessons-not-learned-fraudsters-in-the-art-market/) - About this Event A walk down the memory lane with Larry Salander, Michel Cohen, David Ramos, Knoedler Gallery, Jonathan Poole, Ezra Chowaiki, and Inigo P. “F” is for Fraud; a theft by any other name would stick as foul. The story of fraud is as old as property law. Someone intentionally misrepresents something to someone
- [Demystifying Art Funds](https://itsartlaw.org/events/demystifying-art-funds/) - About this Event Over the past decade, fine art has proven itself to be a viable non-traditional asset, and as a result, the number of art investment funds has surged, to enable investors to acquire artworks and to grow their portfolio of investments. What is an art fund? How are art funds established, structured, and
- [Heavy Lifting in Public Art](https://itsartlaw.org/events/heavy-lifting-in-public-art/) - About this Event Public art holds a special position and power in the world. Whether found in a park, a city square, or any other place where people pass and gather everyday, public works of art connect with communities in many powerful and direct ways. Its unique nature brings with it singular legal and practical
- [Pick a Number and Stick to It](https://itsartlaw.org/events/pick-a-number-and-stick-to-it/) - About this event An art attorney, an art appraiser, and advisor explain the dos and don'ts of using third-party representatives in art sales. What is the role of a third-party representative in an art sale, and what is their relationship to the buyer and seller? What should buyers and sellers have in mind when entering
- [Art Law Lunch Talk: Covering Your Basis, Taxes and Appraisal for Art](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-lunch-talk-covering-your-basis-taxes-and-appraisal-for-art/) - About this Event A tax attorney and an art appraiser explain the dos and don'ts of transferring artworks from an artist or collector estate and more. What is "legacy" in the context of estate planning? When art becomes an asset, what should the owner consider when planning to transfer this asset to another owner? Legacy
- [Center for Art Law Showcase: Art Law Clinics](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-clinics-showcase/) - About the Event Want to learn about one of the Center for Art Law's most popular programs: Visual Artists' Legal Clinics? Our Clinics are an inexpensive way for artists and other art market participants to gain insight and advice about specific areas of the law: The Center currently operates four clinics and hosts seven clinic
- [Center for Art Law Showcase: News & Updates about the Looted Art Project (Part 1)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/center-for-art-law-news-updates-about-the-looted-art-project-part-1/) - About this Event After decades of studying restitution efforts -- failures and successes, in 2024, the Center embarked on a systematic study (assessing, gathering, and contextualizing) of information regarding art displaced during WWII and began organizing its findings in an interactive manner through a timeline, providing a visual representation of the journey towards restitution in
- [Artist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic (Jun. 11, 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic-jun-11-2025/) - Learn about/with/from the Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic built around low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. After a keynote presentation, each participating artist was paired with one of the Center's volunteer professionals for a confidential 20-minute consultation. Keynote Speaker:
- [From Analog To Digital](https://itsartlaw.org/events/from-analog-to-digital/) - About the Event The rise of digital collections and virtual reality exhibits is an exciting new art frontier that brings with it many legal and business implications for collectors and art law attorneys. What questions should collectors consider when acquiring art for physical and digital collections? What legal and business issues are relevant for collectors
- [Catalogues Raisonnés and The Law](https://itsartlaw.org/events/legal-issues-in-catalogues-raisonnes-projects/) - About this Event: A catalogue raisonné is a definitive published compilation identifying the known works of a specific artist. Collectors, dealers, art researchers, and foundations should be aware of the unique legal issues that can arise out of the creation and use of these important resources. In this workshop, Grossman LLP attorneys Kate Lucas and
- [Exploring Artists' Estates: Legal Considerations for Third Parties and Heirs](https://itsartlaw.org/events/exploring-artists-estates-legal-considerations-for-third-parties-and-heirs/) - About this event Commercially exploring a deceased artist's estate can be a difficult field to navigate, as attested by the controversies involving the Vivian Maier and Hilma af Klimt estates. This workshop discuss what legal precautions third parties should take when commercially exploring an artist's estate, and what resources are available to heirs who feel
- [Art & Law Workshop: Fiduciary Duties of Art Advisors](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-workshop-fiduciary-duties-of-art-advisors/) - About this Event The Center for Art Law joined attorney Richard Lehun, Founding member of Stropheus, t0 delve into the complex world of fiduciary duties in art advising. This workshop explored the fiduciary duties of art advisors. It addressed key legal concepts, contrasting fiduciary responsibilities with contractual obligations. It examined the advisor’s role as an
- [Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic (Co-host Cue Foundation) (Nov. 2021)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/are-you-an-international-visual-artist-seeking-to-work-in-the-united-states-meet-an-attorney-of-the-visual-artists-immigration-clinic/) - About this Event: The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. The first 30 minutes of the clinic will be open to the public and devoted to a Keynote Address by Rakhel Milstein providing general insight into
- [Workshop: Practical Strategies for Legal Writing and Drafting](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-practical-strategies-for-legal-writing-and-drafting/) - About the Event Center for Art Law was proud to host Dean Nicyper, partner at Withersworldwide’s litigation and arbitration team, for a workshop on the practical aspects of legal writing and drafting. Dean, who is one of the most experienced attorneys in the field, shared his tried and tested best practices in drafting and editing
- [Artist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic (Feb. 12, 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic/) - On February 12, the Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic hosted an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and accountants with experience in estate and legacy planning. After a keynote presentation on artist-endowed foundations, delivered by Justin Zaremby, each participating artist was paired with one of the Center's volunteer
- [Anti-Money Laundering Workshop: Compliance and Due Diligence for the Art Trade (the UK Edition)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/anti-money-laundering-workshop-compliance-and-due-diligence-for-the-art-trade-the-uk-edition-2/) - About the Event The Center for Art Law is so excited to discuss the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation field from the perspective of the United Kingdom. With UK art businesses receiving their first round of fines for non/late registrations as AMP’s, the time has come for the art market to wake up and smell the new
- [Keeping Artistic Legacy](https://itsartlaw.org/events/keeping-artistic-legacy/) - Keeping artistic legacy alive is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Those who are entrusted to take care of the works left by an artist and those who stand to benefit from their work and gifts, need to recognize the meticulous work that will go into developing and maintaining the artist’s post-mortem legacy. All involved
- [An Enduring Statement](https://itsartlaw.org/events/an-enduring-statement/) - What happens to artists’s artworks and collection after…? How and when are their legacy preserved? Are their fiduciaries and beneficiaries protected? Let’s ask artists whether they want to donate, sell or destroy their art and why, the time is now. Let’s disrupt the estate planning process for the better. The Center for Art Law is proud to present this
- [Workshop on Copyright: Ideas, Authorship, and Registration](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-on-copyright-ideas-authorship-and-registration/) - The world, even the word, of copyright can feel a little daunting at times – Can you copyright an idea? What does it mean to be an “author” of a work? What is “fair use”, and what “copyright infringement” entail? And the most mysterious idea of all remains–how do I even register for a copyright??
- [Valuing and Preserving Legacy of Immigrant Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/valuing-and-preserving-legacy-of-immigrant-artists/) - How does the art world, commercial and academic, treat and evaluate art of foreigners? Seeing art created overseas and experiencing known places through immigrants’ eyes offer immeasurable inspiration and insights. These creations share with the rest of the world strong cultural connections and exchanges. René Depestre, prominent Haitian poet, once wrote “I wear my roots
- [Artist-Gallerist Relationships: Building Lasting Galleries](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-gallerist-relationships-building-lasting-galleries/) - About the Event Join the Center for Art Law in conversation with Fabian Lang, an art gallerist based in Zurich and Judd Grossman, Founder and Managing Partner of Grossman LLP. Through the session, the audience will gain conversance with artist-gallerist relationships, the steps involved in building a gallery, and the complexities of drafting and negotiating
- [Too Good To Be True](https://itsartlaw.org/events/too-good-to-be-true/) - Economic calculations behind the production and dissemination of fakes and forgeries are easy to understand and hard to process. When demand for certain goods, let's say Modigliani paintings or Giacometti sculptures, exceeds the supply, particularly creative individuals or groups may step in to address the scarcity and introduce it into the art market counterfeits. Having
- [Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Copyright Law (Apr. 23, 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-lawyering-bootcamp-copyright-law-apr-2025/) - Center for Art Law’s inaugural Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Copyright Law took place on April 23, 2025. This was an in-person, full-day training aimed at preparing lawyers for working with visual artists and understanding their unique copyright law needs. The bootcamp was led by veteran art law attorneys specializing in copyright law. This Bootcamp provided participants
- [Panel Discussion: International Perspectives on Street Art (CLE)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/international-perspectives-on-street-art-cle/) - About the Event: Center for Art Law organized a panel at Fordham Law School entitled “International Perspectives on Street Art”, co-sponsored by the Fordham Art Law Society, and the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Section of the New York State Bar Association. The co-moderators Carol Steinberg (attorney at the Law Office of Carol J. Steinberg), and Louise Carron (Center for Art
- [ABC's of Art Law: B is for Blockchain](https://itsartlaw.org/events/abcs-of-art-law-b-is-for-blockchain/) - About this Event New technologies and artificial intelligence applications are dramatically changing the landscape in many different fields and markets. Typically, transactions relating to the art market and creative industries are inherently characterized by a generalized lack of transparency and trust, as well as information asymmetry. Also, the art industry has usually been reluctant to
- [ABC’s of Art Law: A is for Authenticity](https://itsartlaw.org/events/abcs-of-art-law-a-is-for-authenticity/) - About the Event During the seminal trial of DeSole v. Knoedler, et al, attorneys for the defense showed an excerpt from the biopic about Pollack, where the painter is portrayed as an irresponsible drunkard. Was the objective to blame an artist for any confusion about their work based on the stereotypical behavior associated with creatives? Are
- [Workshop on Licensing and Negotiation (w/ Catlan McCurdy)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-on-licensing-and-negotiation/) - About the Event Licensing arrangements can provide artists with a great opportunity for passive revenue, allowing you to commercialize your art on your terms. While license discussions may begin based on commonly used terms, every license negotiation is bespoke due to the uniqueness of the work of art and proposed use for such art. There
- [Visual Artists' Immigration Law Clinic (Guest Speaker: Sanjay Sethi, Artistic Freedom Initiative) (Feb. 2022)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-law-clinic-speaker-sanjay-sethi-co-executive-director-artistic-freedom-initiative/) - About this event The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. Please be sure to read the following information and to refer to our FAQ below to ensure that you come fully prepared for the Clinic. Date
- [Getting Wise About Inspiration](https://itsartlaw.org/events/getting-wise-about-inspiration/) - About this Event: Trademarks, copyrights, business formation, branding… As entrepreneurs, artists have a lot to think about and it can easily be overwhelming, especially when engaging in multiple practices. The law provides protection to some extent and artists are expected to navigate it carefully while pushing the boundaries of a sometimes rigid legal framework. Enjoy
- [Some Like It Digital: AI and Art Authentication](https://itsartlaw.org/events/some-like-it-digital-ai-and-art-authentication/) - About this Event: This is the moment the Center for Art Law launched the new series of events, Some Like it Digital, "as the art world glows bright hot with possibilities promised by everything computers (AI, ML, NFT, R2D2)." Our first event was about AI and Art Authentication that was inspired by the vibrant work
- [Some Like It Digital: And Now DAO: Investing in Art In a New Age](https://itsartlaw.org/events/and-now-dao-investing-in-art-in-a-new-age/) - About this Event Join the Center for Art Law in this event where we discussed Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), the laws that govern these entities, and how they interact with the crypto and art world. Alex Liu, attorney and Director of Operations at Tezos Commons, and Merchant Coppola, visual poet, artist, and founder of Teia DAO LLC,
- [Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic co-hosted w/ The Immigration Artist Biennial & Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (Apr. 2020)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic-apr-2020-w-the-immigration-artist-biennial-and-elizabeth-foundation-for-the-arts/) - About this event The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
- [Art & Copyright Law Clinic (May 14, 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/67988/) - Copyright law is a body of federal law that grants authors exclusive rights over their original works. Enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, these rights aim “to promote the progress of science and useful arts”. Copyright protection extends to a broad spectrum of artistic expressions — from paintings and photographs to sculptures, as well as other
- [Information & Compliance: Legal Issues for Galleries (w/ Tess Bonoli, Jana Farmer, Lawrence Shaw & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/information-compliance-legal-issues-for-galleries-w-tess-bonoli-jana-farmer-lawrence-shaw-irina-tarsis/) - About the Event: No Virtual CLE Credit will be given to those watching the YouTube recording of this event. As the internet age grows around us, the world of art has also had to adapt and move into the digital plane. The purpose of this CLE program is to explore the legal obligations that art
- [Legacy and Estate Planning for Artists (w/ Ralph E. Lerner)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/legacy-and-estate-planning-for-artists-w-ralph-e-lerner/) - About this Event The Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic was an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. After a Keynote Address on Legacy and Estate Planning, each participating artist was paired with a Volunteer Professional for a
- [A Conversation on Artists’ Trusts and Estates (w/Julia Szabo and Diana Wierbicki)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-legacies-of-artists-a-conversation-on-artists-trusts-and-estates/) - A conversation with Julia Szabo & Diana Wierbicki on the ins and outs of legacy and estate planning, from the perspectives of an attorney and a family member planning for the estate of a loved one. Event recording may be found here.
- [Immigration Clinic for Artists @ New York Foundation for the Arts (Jan. 2020)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/immigration-clinic-for-artists-jan-2020-w-new-york-foundation-for-the-arts/) - About this Event This Clinic was designed to guide emerging visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States.
- [Workshop Legal Basics Every Artist Should Know: Copyright Edition](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-legal-basics-every-artist-should-know-copyright-edition/) - This installment of Legal Basics Every Artist Should Know focused on copyrights for visual artists. ist. This event was led by Louise Carron of Center for Art Law.
- [Securing Creativity: A Guide on Art Insurance for Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/securing-creativity-a-guide-on-art-insurance-for-artists/) - About this Event Join the Center for Art Law as we learn about the intricacies of art insurance in our workshop with Anne Rappa, Senior Vice President, Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency. This comprehensive primer aims to equip artists with essential knowledge on the nuances of art insurance, ensuring a robust understanding of key principles
- [What’s in the Box: A Webinar on Art Storage](https://itsartlaw.org/events/whats-in-the-box-a-webinar-on-art-storage-2/) - About this Event: Art Storage…the home of a lot of the art in the world. But there is more to the topic than just a shelf or a box in a room where you keep the art. What do you do to protect your work from natural disasters? What does a contract look like between
- [Workshop on Provenance Research w/ Aubrey Catrone](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-on-provenance-research-w-aubrey-catrone/) - About this Event The Center for Art Law presented a workshop on Provenance Research in Spring 2022 led by Owner & Consultant of Proper Provenance, LLC, Aubrey Catrone. We discussed how to read and interpret provenance for works of art and sculptures, and discussed the questions we all have been dying to know about. What’s
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic (May 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-may-2024/) - About this event In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), that affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic (June 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-june-2024/) - About the Event Listen to the presentation on legacy and estate planning, delivered by Elizabeth Devolder, as part of the Center's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic. Recording of the Lecture
- [Art Law in London: What's New in ...](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-in-london-whats-new-in/) - Artificial Intelligence is an expanding technology that needs to be understood and regulated to protect the rights of creators. AML efforts are on the rise to protect art market and its participants from enabling illicit financial transactions. Sanction regimes are evolving to increasingly affect art dealers and collectors. Center for Art Law hosted a roundtable
- [Immigration Under Trump: Strategies for Visual Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/immigration-under-trump-strategies-for-visual-artists/) - Since taking office in 2025, President Donald Trump has enacted buzz-worthy changes to US immigration policy. Attorney Rakhel Milstein will update participants on the main changes of the 2025 administration, how they are expected to impact visual artists and possible strategies going forward. This workshop is part of the Center for Art Law's Visual Artists Legal Clinic
- [Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic (Apr. 2, 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/apr-2-visual-artists-immigration-clinic/) - The Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. After a keynote presentation on alternative immigration paths beyond the O visa, delivered by Cielomar Puccio, attendees with consultation tickets were paired with one of the Center's volunteer attorneys
- [Workshop: Legacy & Estate Planning Strategies for Artists & Collectors](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-legacy-estate-planning-strategies-for-artists-collectors/) - About this Event What happens to the artwork you created or collected when you die? Although most artists and collectors focus on building their career and art collections during their lifetime, it can be challenging to think about the future in concrete ways. To ensure artists’ and collectors’ life’s work can live on with their
- [Artist - Dealer relationships: Contracts, Consignment Agreements & Negotiation (w/ Dean Nicyper, Jim Kempner and Paula Scher)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-contracts-consignment-agreements-negotiation/) - About this Event Join the National Arts Club and Center for Art Law in conversation with Dean Nicyper, partner at Withers Worldwide, artist Paula Scher, and fine art dealer and artist Jim Kempner. Together, the panelists will discuss their experiences and the intricacies of drafting and negotiating consignment agreements from the perspectives of an attorney,
- [Over The River: When Art and Law make Landfall](https://itsartlaw.org/events/over-the-river-when-art-and-law-make-landfall/) - Join us for a discussion exploring the intersection of art, law, and the environment through the lens of ROAR v. Bureau of Land Management. This session examines the legal battles, environmental considerations, and artistic ambitions surrounding Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s "Over the River" Project. Jonathan Henery (Manager, Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Studios) will open the session with a detailed account
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic (Mar. 19, 2025)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-mar-19-2025/) - The Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic helps artists and gallerists negotiate effective and mutually-beneficial contracts. By connecting artists and dealers to attorneys, this Clinic looks to forge meaningful relations and provides a platform for artists and dealers to learn about the laws that govern their relationship, as well as have their questions addressed by experts in the
- [Legal Implications of Gallery Closures for Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/legal-implications-of-gallery-closures-for-artists/) - The New York art scene has seen over a dozen of galleries close in the past two years. When done improperly, these can present of legal issues for artists. In this Art Law Lunch Talk, attendees heard from artist Nicolas Coleman on what were some of the legal issues that he faced, and from attorney
- [From Paintings to Pixels: Estate Planning for Artists in the Digital Age](https://itsartlaw.org/events/from-paintings-to-pixels-estate-planning-for-artists-in-the-digital-age/) - Attorney Sara Johnson presented a workshop on digital estate planning. This workshop is part of the Center for Art Law's Visual Artists Legal Clinic programming. In planning their creative legacy, artists should have in mind both their physical and digital assets, such as digital artwork files, online portfolio, emails, website and even social media accounts.
- [Teaching Art Law (and now online)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/teaching-art-law-and-now-online/) - Before classes resume, let's talk about what it means to be teaching and learning art law. Study, study, study. Teaching and learning art law is becoming increasingly popular and ubiquitous. From law schools to undergraduate schools, from professional organizations to continued education certificates, art law curricula are proliferating. Is it the demand for more practitioners
- [Starting from Scratch: Provenance Research and Lost Art Databases](https://itsartlaw.org/events/starting-from-scratch-provenance-research-and-lost-art-databases/) - History of objects may add to their allure and enrich their stories as well as complicate their property rights. Professionals and lay people are frequently dealing with uncertainties when handling works of art. Assuming the object is authentic, how did it get from the studio or the factory where it was produced to its present
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic (Dec. 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-3/) - About this event Calling all visual artists: join the Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic for an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. Schedule: 5:30 – 6:00 PM EST: Keynote Address. 6:00 – 8:00 PM EST: 6:00–8:00 PM
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning (w/ Peter J. Caruso II)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-estate-and-legacy-planning-with-peter-j-caruso-ii/) - About the Event The Center for Art Law’s newly launched Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic had its second session with an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. The keynote address for this clinic was done by Peter J. Caruso II.
- [Artist-Dealer Relationship: Building Lasting Galleries (w/ Fabian Lang, Judd Grossman & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationship-building-lasting-galleries-with-fabian-lang-judd-grossman-irina-tarsis/) - About the Event Join the Center for Art Law in conversation with Fabian Lang, an art gallerist based in Zurich, and Judd Grossman, Founder and Managing Partner of Grossman LLP. Through the session, the audience gained conversance with artist-gallerist relationships, the steps involved in building a gallery, and the complexities of drafting and negotiating contracts
- [Art Market & Anti-Money Laundering Regulations in 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-market-anti-money-laundering-regulations-in-2024/) - Join the Center for Art Law as we discuss what changes are under consideration in the UK to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) and how these changes may affect business - for instance a potential change of the definition of 'art'. You will also be reminded of the changes that occurred in 2023, in case
- [The Madness of Art Law @ Jim Kempner Fine Art (NY).](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-madness-of-art-law-jim-kempner-fine-art-ny/) - About the Event Dotting on Damien Hirst? Did you know that legal title to his spot painting Bombay Mix (1989-2007), formerly on wallpaper of the Fulham house, is now in limbo because it is no longer affixed to a wall? Apparently the authentication certificate requires for the work to be "painted out before it is remade for elsewhere."...
- [The Missing: Rebuilding the Past](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-missing-rebuilding-the-past/) - About this Event The Missing: Rebuilding the Past was the first exhibit to showcase the efforts of artists and scholars to resist the destruction of the past through creative and innovative reactions, protests, and reconstructions. Professor Thompson, co-curator of the exhibit talked about the works, in a variety of media like photography, drawing, video, and
- [You've Been Served: Street Art Law Mixer - "Exit Through the Gift Shop: A Banksy Film"](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-street-art-law-mixer-exit-through-the-gift-shop-a-banksy-film/) - Description According to the filmmakers: Exit Through the Gift Shop, a 2010 indie film/comedy is "the inside story of Street Art - a brutal and revealing account of what happens when fame, money and vandalism collide. Exit Through the Gift Shop follows an eccentric shop-keeper turned amateur film-maker as he attempts to capture many of
- [Hiding in Plain Sight](https://itsartlaw.org/events/hiding-in-plain-sight/) - About the Event What’s in a name? Art dealers and attorneys were on standby to help answer the question collectors and the general public have about the attribution of art. As art’s attribution changes so does its market value. Connaisseurs who stay alert at auction may enjoy the good fortune of catching a work of
- [You've Been Served: "Big Eyes" (2014)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-big-eyes-2014/) - About the Event "So, who is the artist?!" asks an art enthusiast in the film about Margaret Keane and Walter Keane, painters and art market players behind the sad and saccharine portraits. On Valentines Day weekend, the Center for Art Law went to dinner and a movie to enjoy this Globe Awards Nominated film “Big Eyes.” It may
- [Workshop on Copyright: Ideas, Authorship and Registration w/ Amelia Brankov](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-on-copyright-ideas-authorship-and-registration-w-amelia-brankov/) - About the Event The world, even the word, of copyright can feel a little daunting at times – Can you copyright an idea? What does it mean to be an “author” of a work? What is “fair use”, and what “copyright infringement” entail? And the most mysterious idea of all remains–how do I even register
- [Workshop on Public Art Commissions: Creations, Contracts and Clauses](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-on-public-art-commissions-creations-contracts-and-clauses/) - About the Event From sculptures to murals, public art has become a staple in the communities and a big part of the city scapes. However, various logistical details and nuances behind the creation, installation, protection of these works of art can seem like a bit of a mystery and a lot like a headache. Following
- [Two Confessions of an Artist and a Lawyer with Oriane Cannac, Stephanie Drawdy and Irina Tarsis](https://itsartlaw.org/events/two-confessions-of-an-artist-and-a-lawyer-with-oriane-cannac-stephanie-drawdy-and-irina-tarsis/) - About the Event: Whether it’s protecting art as an intellectual property lawyer or creating art that represents legal issues, the relationship between art and law has always been intriguing. Just as there are several perspectives to understanding art, there are also several facets of being a lawyer. They can be anything they wish to be, including
- [You’ve Been Served: Portrait of Wally (2014)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-portrait-of-wally-2014/) - Remember this exchange from the The Monuments Men (we saw it a few weeks ago): - Are you hungry? - Are you buyin'? - Uncle Sam is! It was a nice experiment, dining and talking about art law before going to the movies in good company. Join us for our second Dinner + Movie evening next Monday.
- [You’ve Been Served: Monuments Men (2014)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-monuments-men-2014/) - What can be better than watching a film about art recovery? Watching it with like-minded people after a pleasant dinner. Reviews for the film have been mixed but the subject is rich and still topical, 70 years on. * * * As you contemplate when you should see Clooney's latest "The Monuments Men," consider joining the Center
- [Immigration and Artists: The O-1 Visa (w/ artist Layo Bright and immigration attorney Rebecca Lenetsky)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/immigration-and-artists-the-o-1-visa-w-artist-layo-bright-and-immigration-attorney-rebecca-lenetsky/) - Read the Powerpoint slides here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C85C_FSN3Cs
- [Anti-Money Laundering Workshop: Compliance and Due Diligence for the Art Trade (the UK Edition)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/anti-money-laundering-workshop-compliance-and-due-diligence-for-the-art-trade-the-uk-edition/) - About the Event The Center for Art Law discussed the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation field from the perspective of the United Kingdom. With UK art businesses receiving their first round of fines for non/late registrations as AMP’s, the time has come for the art market to wake up and smell the new reality of direct regulations.
- [Artist - Dealer Relationships: Reading the Fine Print (w/artist Eric Aho and attorney Dean Nicyper)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-reading-the-fine-print-2/) - About the Event A conversation on contracts, consignments, the art market, and more from the perspective of an artist and an attorney. Join the Center for Art Law in conversation with Eric Aho, an artist represented by the DC Moore Gallery, and Dean Nicyper, partner at Withers Worldwide. Together, the panelists shared their experiences and perspectives from
- [Workshop: Finding a Home for your Art Archive (w/ Lisa Darms, Executive Director, Hauser & Wirth Institute)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-finding-a-home-for-your-art-archive-with/) - About the Event For artists who have assembled an archive, or family members or friends who have inherited one (letters, notes, articles, photographs, etc), it can be overwhelming to try to figure out where to place these materials to ensure they are preserved and accessible in the future. This workshop considered how and where to
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic (Jul. 2022) (Guest Speaker: Anne-Laure Alléhaut, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-with-anne-laure-allehaut-esq-counsel-at-patterson-belknap-webb-tyler-llp/) - About this Event In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), which affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under
- [Ars Longa, Vita Brevis: Best Practices for Legacy and Estate Planning](https://itsartlaw.org/events/ars-longa-vita-brevis-best-practices-for-legacy-and-estate-planning/) - About the Event Artists face unique challenges when crafting their personal and professional legacies. This workshop provided an approachable and practical framework for artists at all stages of their career looking for guidance on how and when to engage in the various stages of the estate and legacy planning process. Topics included best practices for
- [Artist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic (Oct. 16, 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic-oct-16-2024/) - About the Event Calling all visual artists: join the Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic for an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, appraisers and financial advisors with experience in estate and legacy planning. After a keynote presentation delivered by Joy Glidden on non-legal tools and solutions for the preservation of Calling all visual artists: join the Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic for an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. After a keynote presentation on legacy and estate planning, delivered by one of our volunteer art law professionals, each participating artist will be paired with one of the Center's volunteer professionals for a confidential 20-minute consultation. Limited slots are available for the consultation sessions. Please be sure to read the following information and to refer to our FAQ below to ensure that you come fully prepared for the Clinic.
- [The Art Market Affair: Distinguished Lecture with Marcus Asner](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-art-market-affair-distinguished-lecture-with-marcus-asner/) - About this Event Ever since the Spring of 2015, the high-profile dispute between billionaire collector Dmitry Rybolovlev and Swiss middle man Yves Bouvier has captivated the art world. The case spanned the globe, leading to investigations and litigation in Monaco, Singapore, Geneva, Paris, London and ultimately New York. The dispute culminated earlier this year in
- [Art & Law Workshop: Fiduciary Duties of Gallerists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-workshop-fiduciary-duties-of-gallerists/) - About the Event Join the Center for Art Law along with attorney Richard Lehun, Founding member of Stropheus, in this event where we dove into the complex world of fiduciary duties for gallerists. This workshop explored the fiduciary duties of gallerists toward their clients. Richard clarified the distinctions between contract-based relationships and the broader fiduciary obligations gallerists
- [Art Law Conference 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/events/2022-art-law-conference/) - About this Event “Say: Art Law!” by Sofia Tomilenko/Софія Томіленко. Instagram: @tsofiako. Center for Art Law held our Art Law Conference 2022 on July 28 from 1PM- 6PM EST at New York Law School! Reception for networking and reunion followed the substantive portion of the day, from 6PM to 8PM. Our conference celebrated exciting and contemporary
- [Visual Artists Immigration Clinic (Guest Speaker: H. Heidi Son) (Oct. 2022)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic-w-h-heidi-son/) - About this Event The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. Volunteer Attorneys: Rakhel S. Milstein | Milstein Law Group, NY Betina Schlossberg | Schlossberg Legal, PLLC, MI Cielomar Puccio | Brandlett, Puerto Rico Are you interested
- [Through Words: Exploring the Gap Between Law & Justice](https://itsartlaw.org/events/through-words-exploring-the-gap-between-law-justice/) - About this Event Do law and justice go hand-in-hand? Have some court decisions taken us backward? What role can the arts play in making the law more accessible? Whereas legalese tends to be confusing, complicated and gets stuck in the brain, poetry might be brief and go straight to the heart of the matter. Center
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic (Nov. 2022) (Guest Speaker: Daniel H. Weiner)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-w-daniel-h-weiner/) - About this Event In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), which affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under
- [Fan Art and Fair use: Issues in IP Law for Inspired Creatives](https://itsartlaw.org/events/fan-art-and-fair-use-issues-in-ip-law-for-inspired-creatives/) - About the Event Harry Potter? Airbender? Warhol? Many artists create artwork based on their favorite cultural icons, such as comic book figures, or fictional characters from books, movies, and television shows. Sometimes these new works are classic “fan art,” meaning that they celebrate the original characters. How much of a work can an artist borrow
- [ABCs of Art Law: E is for Ethics](https://itsartlaw.org/events/abcs-of-art-law-e-is-for-ethics/) - About the Event This event was an exploration of the ethical challenges faced by key players in the art market. Our panel of experts, representing diverse sectors, shared insights into the unique ethical dilemmas encountered in their fields. Linda Selvin, Executive Director of the Appraisers Association of America, addressed the appraisers' Code of Ethics and the
- [Art & Law Workshop: Fiduciary Duties of Trustees of Estates](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-workshop-fiduciary-duties-of-trustees-of-estates/) - About the Event Workshop with attorney Richard Lehun on the complex world of fiduciary duties involved with estates. This workshop focused on duties of trustees in managing an artist’s estate, providing a comprehensive overview of key concepts and responsibilities. It explored the roles of executors and trustees and their legal obligations. The session covered topics such
- [A Primer on Artist Trusts: Part 2](https://itsartlaw.org/events/a-primer-on-artist-trusts-part-2/) - About this Event What counts as a well-formed artist's legacy? Taking care of the family members? Placing art in institutions? Shaping a careful and complete narrative? An artist’s legacy plan often requires a series of complex legal entities for the preservation and protection of a lifetime of work. This session focused on selecting and creating
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic (Dec. 2022)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic/) - About this Event The Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic was an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. After a Keynote Address on Legacy and Estate Planning, each participating artist wwas paired with a Volunteer Professional for a
- [Distinguished Lecture: Benefit w/Luke Nikas @ Westwood Gallery (NYC)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/distinguished-lecture-on-copyright-fair-use-w-luke-nikas-westwood-gallery-nyc-save-the-date/) - About the Event In October of 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States considered whether a famous set of images that Andy Warhol based on a 1981 photograph of Prince by the award-winning photographer Lynn Goldsmith represents a “fair” use of the photograph. The question is whether Warhol’s successors could license the images for
- [The Essentials: A Guide to Representation Agreements For Artists and Dealers](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-essentials-a-guide-to-representation-agreements-for-artists-and-dealers/) - About this Event What is a representation agreement? What language should an artist or dealer include to protect their interests? Who pays for storage? Is there insurance? What about prompt payment? Any negotiation between artists and galleries requires forethought and legal acumen to protect the interests of either party. This Art Law Lunch Talk was
- [Setting the Record Straight: A Conversation with an Art Historian](https://itsartlaw.org/events/setting-the-record-straight-a-conversation-with-gail-levin/) - About this Event What role does an art historian play in connection with an artist’s legacy? Scholars, curators, biographers, teachers – art historians like Gail Levin — dedicate their lives to unearth and preserve the biographical and artistic record disappearing in the haze of time. Whether an artist is a careful record keeper or not,
- [Markets and Rules for Italian Cultural Heritage: From Art to Fashion](https://itsartlaw.org/events/markets-and-rules-for-italian-cultural-heritage-from-art-to-fashion/) - About this Event Connections between the United States and Italy and the roots of the New World’s fascination with the home of Renaissance run deep. American museums have purchased ancient objects excavated from the Italian soil, portraits of Italy’s prominent families, and American museum visitors and consumers increasingly admire Italy’s modern art and fashion. As
- [Workshop: Visual Art & Licensing w/Janet Hicks](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-visual-art-licensing-w-janet-hicks/) - About this Event Artists use copyright protection to keep their work from being used or sold without authorization. Art licensing is a way in which artists can license or “rent” their artwork to publishers, organizations, individuals and companies to use their artwork or to put on their products. But how does an artist license their
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic (Mar. 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-mar-2023/) - About this Event Calling all visual artists: join the Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic, an evening that consisted of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. Volunteer Professionals: Dave Bright, J.D. Elyse Schajer, Esq. Amie Potsic Are you interested in becoming
- [Fakes & Forgeries: Discover How an Art Detective Unravels the Truth](https://itsartlaw.org/events/fakes-forgeries-discover-how-an-art-detective-unravels-the-truth/) - About this Event Explore how some of the most successful forgers fooled the expert community, and how to detect fakes and forgeries when examining artworks. Doug Bort, Founder, Managing Partner, and Lead Investigator of Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC, discussed art and cultural property crimes, including international investigations and undercover operations during a 21-year career as
- [Digital Art and Legal Issues: What the Future Holds (NYC)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/digital-art-and-legal-issues-what-the-future-holds/) - About this Event Center for Art Law and DLx Law held a thought-provoking event on the intersection of digital art and the law. Our special guests included Elena Zavelev (CADAF), Lewis Cohen (DLx Law), and Irina Tarsis (CfAL). Much was said about building communities and using Web 3 to bring the needs of artists and
- [Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic-4/) - About this Event The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. Schedule: 5:30–6:00 PM EST: Keynote Address by Edwin Hernandez Garcia | Tarter, Krinsky & Drogin LLP, NY 6:00–8:00 PM EST: participating artists will be paired with
- [Being Extraordinary: Crafting an O-1 Petition](https://itsartlaw.org/events/being-extraordinary-crafting-an-o-1-petition/) - About this Event Artists seeking O-1 work visas in the US must have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement, recognized nationally or internationally. The question is, what does it take to be extraordinary? Navigating the O-1 visa process can be treacherous for the unwary artist. Join us for a workshop with Elektra Yao, founder and principal
- [Cultural Integration: Immigrants' Art Participation and Contribution (w/Dr. Jennifer Novak-Leonard)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/cultural-integration-immigrants-art-participation-and-contribution-w-dr-jennifer-novak-leonard/) - About this Event Join the Center for Art Law in this event where we welcomed Jennifer Novak-Leonard, professor, academic, and author of Considering Cultural Integration In the United States: Empirical Essays on Immigrants' Arts Participation. Prof. Novak-Leonard discussed her research focusing on the social roles of immigrant artists, the arts and creativity; and how they
- [Art Law Conference 2023: An Entrance to Paradise](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-conference-2023/) - About this Event Art Law Conference 2023 aimed to bring together students, attorneys, artists, arts, and legal professionals to discuss contemporary and relevant topics at the intersection of art and law. The conference promoted discourse on artists' rights, intellectual property, copyright, art contracts, negotiation, and business tips, as well as anti-money laundering and art fraud.
- [How NFTs Revolutionize Art, Business, and Entertainment](https://itsartlaw.org/events/how-nfts-revolutionize-art-business-and-entertainment/) - About this Event Join the Center for Art Law in this event where Prof. Edward Lee discussed his book Creators Take Control: How NFTs Revolutionize Art, Business, and Entertainment, published by Harper Business. Lee provided a new theory called "Tokenism" to explain the rise of NFTs. Tokenism is an artistic, cultural, and technological movement that creates
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic (May 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-may-2023/) - About this Event In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), which affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under
- [Art Law Colloquium: Research, Cases & Litigation in Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-colloquium-research-cases-litigation-in-art-law/) - Gale P. Elston is a distinguished attorney with a specialization in art law. Her first book is coming soon. Admitted to practice in both New York and California, Elston is the founder and principal attorney of Gale P. Elston P.C., where she has been offering her expertise since 1983. Her practice encompasses copyright law, VARA,
- [Art Law Colloquium: Nazi Art Plunder in Postwar Western Europe](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-colloquium-nazi-art-plunder-in-postwar-western-europe/) - About the Speaker: Elizabeth Campbell is an Associate Professor of History and the Director of the Center for Art Collection Ethics (ACE). Her academic expertise spans modern European and French history, with a focus on the French Revolution, Europe during the World Wars, Nazi art looting, and the history and memory of World War II
- [Art & Law Workshop: Copyright Registration for Visual Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-workshop-copyright-registration-for-visual-artists/) - About the Event: Welcome to our workshop on the practical aspects of registering works of visual arts with the US Copyright Office with Carol J. Steinberg, Esq. In this Workshop, Carol explained why Copyright Registration is a prerequisite for enforcing your legal rights and why she calls it "Artists Liability Insurance." She explained what it
- [Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Infringement, Fair Use and Takedowns](https://itsartlaw.org/events/digital-millennium-copyright-act-infringement-fair-use-and-takedowns/) - About this Event “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” ~ Oscar Wilde Good artists… great artists… We might have different ideas about copying and stealing but even if imitation were a form of flattery, how do we differentiate between copyright infringement and fair use? What permissions or licenses are needed to reproduce an artist's
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic (Dec. 18, 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-dec-18-2024/) - About the Event In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), that affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under
- [F is for Fake](https://itsartlaw.org/events/f-is-for-fake/) - About this Event Fun fact, forgeries are everywhere. They pop up at auction and get sold through private sales, they linger in private collections, and decorate walls of the encyclopedic museums. They are in the news and in the movies. They are a product of supply and demand lines and have the power to increase
- [Workshop: Claims Before the Copyright Claims Board](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-claims-before-the-copyright-claims-board/) - About this Event The Copyright Claims Board (Board) is an alternative forum to federal court to resolve copyright disputes involving damages up to $30,000. The Board opened its doors in June 2022, and this workshop was designed to provide guidance on how to successfully file a claim. Join the Center for Art Law and Laura Kaiser,
- [Art Law Workshop: Estate Planning and Preserving Archives of Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-workshop-estate-planning-and-preserving-archives-of-artists/) - About this Event An artist’s job is to create. While less glamorous, the business of art is a necessity, permitting creatives to sustain their careers and plan for legacy—historically and financially. Join the Center for Art Law's past event with Darlene Bialowski, Principal of Darlene Bialowski Art Services, LLC where we discussed various strategies and
- [You've Been Served: "The Price of Everything" (2018)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-the-price-of-everything-2018/) - About this Event: "You've been Served" -- a movie ticket, a discussion and a drink. The Price of Everything (2018) is a documentary film directed by Nathaniel Kahn. This documentary ponders the question of how we price the seemingly intangible value of fine art — an exploration into the rarefied realm of celebrity artists, art galleries,
- [Art Law Primer: Copyright and Fair Use](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-primer-copyright-and-fair-use/) - About the Event Are all visual artworks protected by copyright law? What rights do you, as an artist, have to control the use of your work? What rights or limitations do you have to use someone else’s work? Can someone else’s idea inspire another protected work of art? What is “fair use” and when does
- [Some Like it Digital: Protecting your IP w/ the Blockchain](https://itsartlaw.org/events/some-like-it-digital-protecting-your-ip-w-the-blockchain/) - About this Event The US Constitution bestows on creators a limited monopoly to exploit their Intellectual Property (IP). Technology gives freedom to disseminate creative content further and sometimes beyond creators’ explicit permissions. In the self-help digital age, what tools do artists have to protect their work against infringement on physical mediums or digital platforms? When
- [Data Privacy Laws in Archival Collections: Challenges in the Digital Age (CLE)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/data-privacy-laws-in-archival-collections-challenges-in-the-digital-age-cle/) - About this Event Artists, dealers, galleries, and collectors’ archives are the cornerstone of scholarly research. Often assembled over decades, they contain a wide array of materials ranging from photographs and letters to financial documents and records that are crucial to art historical studies as well as to market transactions. However, third-party rights in these materials
- [Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic-5/) - About this Event The Visual Artists' Immigration Clinic is designed to guide emerging and established international visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States. Schedule: 5:30–6:00 PM EST: Keynote Address by Teresa Woods Peña. 6:00–8:00 PM EST: participating artists will be paired with a Volunteer Attorney for a confidential 15-min consultation.
- [Copyright Law for Artists: Post-Warhol](https://itsartlaw.org/events/copyright-law-for-artists-post-warhol/) - About this Event When is it okay to use someone else's copyrighted work? How does a creator protect her rights? How does an appropriator know what will pass legal muster? In May of 2023, the Supreme Court issued a decision in a case involving photographer Lynn Goldsmith and visual artist Andy Warhol as to whether
- [Artist-Dealer Relationships Clinic (Nov. 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-dealer-relationships-clinic-2/) - About this Event In 2012, New York passed an amendment to its Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law §12.01 (2012), affects the consignment relationship between artists and dealers and creates critical new duties—and liabilities, for the art dealer. Most importantly, it makes using any form of agreement drafted under the
- [You've Been Served: "The Melt Goes on Forever" (2022)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-the-melt-goes-on-forever-2022/) - About this Event This event is jointly held with the Artist Representation Society (ARS) and Fordham Art Law Society (FALS) at Fordham Law School. "You've been Served" - a movie ticket and a discussion. Join us for a chronicle of the elusive Black American art star David Hammons and his category-defying career. The Melt Goes
- [ABC's of Art Law: C is for Consignment](https://itsartlaw.org/events/abcs-of-art-law-c-is-for-consignment/) - About this Event Join the Center for Art Law for an exploration into the world of consignment agreements in the art industry. This session delver into the pivotal role these agreements play for artists, shedding light on the disparities between emerging and established artists. Our speakers, Anne-Laure Alléhaut, Counsel at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, Sherri Cohen,
- [ABCs of Art Law: D is for Divorce](https://itsartlaw.org/events/abcs-of-art-law-d-is-for-divorce/) - About this Event The Center for Art Law discussed the intersection of divorce and the world of art. Our expert panel, comprising Magnolia Levy, divorce and family law attorney, and Courtney Christensen, Senior Director of Trusts & Estates at Winston Art Group, guided us through the complex landscape of dividing assets, with a focus on
- [25 years Later: Speaking about "The Washington Principles"](https://itsartlaw.org/events/25-years-later-speaking-about-the-washington-principles/) - About this Event What's there to talk about?! A quarter century after the signing of the Washington Principles and 80 years after the London Conference which produced a public statement that taking of property by the Nazis will not be recognized by the art world once the World War 2 would come to an end,
- [Art Law Colloquium: Provenance Research at Museums with Meghan Bill](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-colloquium-provenance-research-at-museums-with-meghan-bill/) - About this Event Colloquium on Provenance Research featuring Meghan Bill, Director of Provenance Research at the Brooklyn Museum and law student at Fordham Law School demonstrated how two professions, art history and law, can work well together. In this program, Meghan provided a comprehensive overview of provenance research as a profession, shedding light on the
- [Workshop: Evidence for Prosecuting Cultural Heritage Destruction](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-evidence-for-prosecuting-cultural-heritage-destruction/) - About this Event The Center for Art with Hon. Judge Gassia Apkarian discussed the intricacies of evidence gathering in cases involving cultural heritage. The session provided a critical discourse addressing the challenges and issues arising from the destruction of cultural heritage when filing claims in international courts. Judge Apkarian, with her vast expertise, delved into
- [Workshop on Insurance & Art: Pitfalls to Avoid and Promises to Keep](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop-on-insurance-art-pitfalls-to-avoid-and-promises-to-keep/) - About this Event As an art professional, you play an integral role in transactions. Terms that may seem simple to negotiate in a given transaction can often become more complex when unknown issues arise. Advanced knowledge of any pertinent information can help guide your decision-making and negotiation strategy. It is crucial for art professionals to
- [Catalogue Raisonné Research: Purpose, Process, Pitfalls & Publication](https://itsartlaw.org/events/catalogue-raisonne-research-purpose-process-pitfalls-publication/) - About this Event The catalogue raisonné has become increasingly important in establishing the scope and significance of an artist’s work,--that is, art historically--but also through documentation, provenance, and connoisseurship in establishing authenticity and monetary value in a litigious environment. An authority on the French painter Pierre Puvis de Chavannes and author of Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, volume
- [Art Law in Paris: AML and the Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-in-paris-lecture-series-aml-and-the-art-market-paris/) - About this Event This event brought together experts from the legal and art sectors to delve deeper into the intricate framework governing AML regulations, discuss the practical implications for the art market, and explore the significance of these regulations for the auction industry. As the art market becomes increasingly globalized, understanding the intersection of AML
- [It's Not Personal, It's Business: When Artists Change Galleries](https://itsartlaw.org/events/its-not-personal-its-business-when-artists-change-galleries/) - About this Event Why do artists change galleries? How does that decision impact galleries? What legal disputes can arise when the artist-dealer relationship comes to an end? The relationship between gallery and artist has long been compared to that of a marriage. Single dealers often nurtured an artist's career and, in exchange, the artist exclusively
- [Art & Copyright Law Clinic (April 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic-april-2024/) - About this Event Although AI has been around for years, it entered the mainstream at the end of 2022 thanks to OpenAI and image generators like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion. These applications allow users to turn selfies into stylized "portraits" or text into "paintings." The proliferation of generative AI has prompted many artists to worry
- [Some Like it Digital: AI-Generated Art, Litigation & the Law](https://itsartlaw.org/events/some-like-it-digital-ai-generated-art-litigation-the-law-2/) - About this Event The Some Like it Digital Series hosted by the Center for Art Law dove into the complex landscape of AI-generated art and its intersection with the law. Our speakers, Michael D. Murray, Spears Gilbert Associate Professor of Law at the University of Kentucky, J. David Rosenberg College of Law, and Dan Jasnow,
- [Public Art & the Law: Exploring Public Art Commissions (Part 1)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/public-art-the-law-exploring-public-art-commissions-part-1/) - About this Event The Center for Art Law dove into the world of public art commissions, exploring the intricate processes, legal considerations, and artist perspectives that shape the landscape of public art. Elizabeth Pepperman, Chair of the Public Art Fund, served as the moderator, guiding us through an enlightening discussion featuring prominent voices in the
- [Art Law Conference 2024: The Story](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-conference-2024-the-story/) - About this Event "Art Law: The Story" explored the captivating narratives behind litigating, reporting, and judging art law cases. Our Annual Conference featured a series of dynamic panels, each offering invaluable insights into the multifaceted world of art law. Gain firsthand knowledge from our distinguished lineup of speakers, comprising esteemed judges, seasoned journalists, and experienced art litigators.
- [Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Legacy & Estate Planning (July 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-lawyering-bootcamp-legacy-estate-planning/) - About this Event The Center for Art Law’s inaugural Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Legacy & Estate Planning was an in-person, full-day training aimed at preparing lawyers for working with artists and understanding their unique legacy and estate planning needs. The bootcamp was led by veteran art law attorneys specializing in legacy and estate planning. The Art Lawyering Bootcamp
- [Art & Copyright Law Clinic (Nov. 13, 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-copyright-law-clinic-nov-13-2024/) - About the Event The Center for Art Law's Art & Copyright Law Clinic helps artists navigate the increasingly complex field of copyright law. In this Clinic, participants learned about copyright contracts (licensing and assignment agreements) from attorney and Center for Art Law advisory board member Lindsay Korotkin, who explained the scope of each agreement and the main
- [Introduction to Due Diligence](https://itsartlaw.org/events/introduction-to-due-diligence/) - About the Event This webinar featuring Sophie Balaÿ, Certified Financial Crime Specialist and member of our Board of Advisors, focused due diligence obligations, focusing on anti-money laundering (AML) protocols essential for art players. Sophie Balaÿ led a comprehensive discussion on AML due diligence and provided insights into regulatory frameworks and effective compliance strategies tailored for
- [Museums and Deaccessioning (w/ Jill Deupi, Katie Wilson-Milne & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/museums-and-deaccessioning/) - About the Event The definition of the word is simple enough. Deaccession: officially remove (an item) from the listed holdings of a library, museum, or art gallery, typically in order to sell it to raise funds. And the concept itself in practice can be relatively easy too–so why is there always fuss and drama when
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic (Mar. 2024)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-4/) - About this Event Center for Art Law hosts Visual Artists Legal Clinics and invites guests to deliver presentations on related topics. We invite you to watch a keynote presentation on legacy and estate planning, delivered by Trace Brooks in connection with the Spring 2024 Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic. About the Speaker Trace Brooks Trace
- [ABC’s of Art Law: F is for Fakes & Forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/events/abcs-of-art-law-f-is-for-fakes-forgeries/) - About the Event On July 23, 2024, the Center for Art Law held a CLE event to explore the fascinating world of fakes and forgeries! Our guests spoke about their experiences as art dealers, scientists and attorneys faced with fakes circulating in the art market. James Butterwick, a UK-based Ukrainian and European art dealer, began
- [Art Law in Paris: AI & Copyright Regulations](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-in-paris-ai-copyright-regulations/) - About this Еvent The Center for Art Law hosted a lecture about the rapidly evolving landscape of AI regulations in the EU, particularly in the context of the EU AI Act, and their implications for the visual arts sector. A networking reception followed. Artificial Intelligence is an expanding technology that needs to be understood and
- [The Afterlife of Art: Posthumous Moral Rights & Copyrights](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-afterlife-of-art-posthumous-moral-rights-copyrights/) - About this Event Following an artist's death, it is their works that live on and preserve their legacy. At first glance, posthumous moral rights and dead-hand control over a deceased artist's work may safeguard that artist's work and legacy. However, the variability of posthumous moral rights and restrictions placed on reproducing artwork after the artist's
- [Licensing Art for Movies & Productions: Process & Practice](https://itsartlaw.org/events/licensing-art-for-movies-productions-process-practice/) - Listen to a discussion between two insider's perspectives, Janet Hicks, Vice President, Director of Licensing at Artists Rights Society, and Wendy Cohen, owner of Wendy Cohen Production Resources who shared how producers and creative make decisions about artworks based on Production/Script needs, ensuring a seamless integration that enhances storytelling.. and can give some suggestions of ways Artists
- [Workshop: Exploring Copyright Ownership, Work for Hire & Generative AI](https://itsartlaw.org/events/workshop_exploring-copyright-2024/) - About this Event A work for hire refers to works whose ownership belongs to a third party, usually an employer, rather than the original creator. What rights do artists have when a work of theirs is designated a work for hire? How does the use of generative AI in the art and creator market impact
- [Safe Space: How Artists Interact with Museums (w/ Sriba Kwadjovie Quintana, Joel Ferree & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/safe-space-how-artists-interact-with-museums/) - About this Event As the contemporary art world evolves, many museums find themselves in a position to re-examine their role in it. From navigating conservation in a digital age to reinterpreting the use of museum space, many of these changes are entering uncharted territory. One way museums are leaning into their roots at this time
- [Public Art & the Law: Exploring Public Art Commissions (Part 2)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/public-art-the-law-exploring-public-art-commissions-part-2/) - About the Event Center for Art Law hosted a conversation with Samantha Rauer, Deputy General Counsel at NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and Kendal Henry, Assistant Commissioner, Public Art at NYC Department of Cultural Affairs about processes involved in commissioning public art through the City of New York, and the legal considerations artists and cities must navigate.
- [The O-1 Visa & the Impact Elections Have on Immigration](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-o-1-visa-the-impact-elections-have-on-immigration/) - About the Event This workshop was designed to provide an overview of the O-1 visa application process, including tips for what evidence to include and when to apply, as well as a discussion about how an election year and change in administration may affect the visa, including wait times and acceptance rates. The Center for
- [Visual Artists Immigration Clinic (June 2021)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic-3/)
- [Time Out](https://itsartlaw.org/events/summer-break/)
- [F is for Fake with Aaron Crowell and Irina Tarsis](https://itsartlaw.org/events/f-is-for-fake-with-aaron-crowell-and-irina-tarsis/) - About this event Fun fact, forgeries are everywhere. They pop up at auction and get sold through private sales, they linger in private collections, and decorate walls of the encyclopedic museums. They are in the news and in the movies. They are a product of supply and demand lines and have the power to increase
- [Celestial Art Law: Zoom Out There](https://itsartlaw.org/events/celestial-art-law-zoom-out-there/) - About the Event The Center for Art Law discussed art beyond Earth and focused on celestial art law with our panelists, Dr. Marlène Michèle Losier, Principal, Legal Expert in International Law, Nahum Romero, Artist & Founding Director, KOSMICA Institute and Arno Green, founder and curator of The Astronautical Art Initiative and co-founder of The Spacecraft
- [You've Been Served: The Price of Everything (2018) + Q&A with the Editor](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-the-price-of-everything-2018-qa-with-the-editor/) - A movie night at the Quad Cinema, Center for Art Law attended the screening of The Price of Everything (2018), a documentary about the realities of the art world as seen from the eyes of Nathaniel Kahn. Following the screening, the editors lead a Q&A with members of the public. The Movie The Price of Everything explores the
- [Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic (Jun. 2023)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/artist-legacy-and-estate-planning-clinic-2/) - About this event The Center for Art Law's Artist Legacy and Estate Planning Clinic led an evening of low-cost consultations with attorneys, tax experts, and other arts professionals with experience in estate and legacy planning. After a Keynote Address on Legacy and Estate Planning, each participating artist was paired with a Volunteer Professional for a
- [See Court Art, Think Art Law: Special Tour of "Knoedler Trial Courtroom Illustrations"](https://itsartlaw.org/events/see-court-art-think-art-law-special-tour-of-knoedler-trial-courtroom-illustrations/) - About this event Center for Art Law invites you to view "Knoedler Trial Courtroom Illustrations" and think about Knoedler trials and lessons. * * * When cameras are not allowed in the courtroom, the only way to capture the feel and the moment of a courtroom drama is through court sketches. De Sole v. Knoedler
- [Shaken, not Stirred @ Mixed Greens (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/shaken-not-stirred/) - About the Event: https://itsartlaw.org/shaken-not-stirred-art-law-mixer-2014-1b/
- [Art Law Mixer by the Book | Boston, MA](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-by-the-book-boston-ma/)
- [SEE ART, THINK ART LAW: "Jeff Koons: A Retrospective"](https://itsartlaw.org/events/see-art-think-art-law-jeff-koons-a-retrospective/)
- [Collecting Art Law Mixer](https://itsartlaw.org/events/collecting-art-law-mixer/)
- [Center for Art Law Mixer @ Sundaram Tagore Gallery](https://itsartlaw.org/events/center-for-art-law-mixer-sundaram-tagore-gallery/)
- [Art Law Mixer to Welcome 2014!](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-to-welcome-2014/)
- [Private Tour of "Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany"](https://itsartlaw.org/events/private-tour-of-degenerate-art-the-attack-on-modern-art-in-nazi-germany/)
- ["The Madness of Art Law" Mixer](https://itsartlaw.org/events/the-madness-of-art-law-mixer/)
- [Art Law Mixer @ Loretta Howard Gallery](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-loretta-howard-gallery/)
- [Art Law Mixer @ VLA: Estate Planning for Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-vla-estate-planning-for-artists/)
- [Art Law Mixer: Financial Counsel for Artistic Endeavors](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-financial-counsel-for-artistic-endeavors/)
- [Art Law Mixer: Exploring Fair and Just Solutions](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-exploring-fair-and-just-solutions/)
- [Summer Art Law Mixer: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors](https://itsartlaw.org/events/summer-art-law-mixer-good-fences-make-good-neighbors/) - About this event Negotiating sound terms of engagement between artists and galleries is probably the one sure path to the emergence of the next Richard Prince and the next Larry Gagosian. Lack of contracts or poorly drafted contracts quickly spell disaster in a relationship between a well-meaning gallery and a talented artist who just cannot not
- [Fine Art Law Mixer](https://itsartlaw.org/events/fine-art-law-mixer/) - Wine and Cheese Reception * Guest Lecture * Special Tour of the Post-War & Contemporary Art Exhibition These days the trick to selling a work of art is the certificate of authenticity. As the creative community waits with bated breath to find out whether there will be protections available under the New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law (N.Y. ACA. Law)
- [Back to Art Law (Mixer)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/back-to-art-law-mixer/)
- [Art Law Mixer: Brute/Real/Estate/Bklyn](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-brute-real-estate-bklyn/) - About this event Did somebody say "Eviction?!" Just kidding. Real estate need not be scary! Legal issues involving real estate are an important part of the New York City artscape. Who wouldn’t benefit from learning about landlord-tenant matters, negotiating and interpreting real estate (studio, gallery, and commercial) leases and subleases?! Join us for an introduction
- [Center for Art Law: Alumni Reunion 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/events/center-for-art-law-alumni-reunion-2023/)
- [You've Been Served: "Art and Craft" (2014)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-art-and-craft-2014/) - The Movie “But they look so good and so real…” Indeed, works created by Mark Landis looked like the real thing. Landis, one of the most prolific and now best-known art forgers in U.S. history, is the subject of a 2014 documentary. While Landis may think of himself as a philanthropist who never sold but
- [You've Been Served: "Woman in Gold" (2015)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-woman-in-gold-2015/) - The Movie "Woman in Gold" tells a story of an elderly Jewish World War II survivor who sued the Austrian government to recover artworks that belonged to her family and that were looted by the Nazis. The film is based on the case of Altman v. Republic of Austria, which commenced in a federal district court in
- [You've Been Served: "Finding Vivian Maier" (2013)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-finding-vivian-maier-2013/) - The Movie Before street art, there was street photography. Vivian Maier (1926 – 2009) is recognized as one of the leading 20th-century street photographers in the United States, but the fame and recognition came to her posthumously. Join us for a special screening of the Oscar-nominated film about how Maier's works were discovered and investigated
- [You've Been Served: "Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski" (2018)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-struggle-the-life-and-lost-art-of-szukalski-2018/) - Center for Art Law returns to New York University School of Law for an evening of art, history, and law. We are pleased to work again with the NYU Art Law Society to invite you to the screening of "Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski" (2018), a documentary produced by DiCaprio father and son, about the
- [You've Been Served: "Herb & Dorothy" (2008)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-herb-dorothy-2008/) - This event is made possible with the generous support of the Cardozo Art Law Society! The Movie Leave your preconceived notions of art collectors at the door and join the Center for Art Law as we screen the award-winning documentary, Herb & Dorothy. The film chronicles how Herbert and Dorothy Vogel became two of the
- [You've Been Served: "The Destruction of Memory" (2015)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-the-destruction-of-memory-2015/) - Center for Art Law cordially invites you to drinks following the screening of "The Destruction of Memory," a fascinating documentary about the tragic effects of cultural destruction throughout the globe. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director & producer, Tim Slade. The Movie "The Destruction of Memory" is a documentary film and
- [You've Been Served: "Driven to Abstraction" (2019) + Q&A with the Director](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-driven-to-abstraction-2019-qa-with-the-director/) - The Center for Art Law is proud to present the first NYC screening of the award-winning documentary Driven to Abstraction (2019) about the Knoedler Gallery art forgery scandals that shook the art world. This program is co-sponsored by the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and hosted by Pryor Cashman LLP, one of the law firms that
- [You've Been Served: "Gerhard Richter Painting" (2011)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-gerhard-richter-painting-2011/) - We are excited to collaborate with the Brooklyn Law School Art Law Association and welcome you to Brooklyn! The Movie Our first film in the "You've Been Served" 2016 Series is the 2011 documentary, Gerhard Richter Painting, which follows this influential German visual artist as he tries to create new work and discusses his career. Richter,
- [You've Been Served: "The Rape of Europa" w/ Anna Rubin, Director of the Holocaust Claims Processing Office @ Brooklyn Law School (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-the-rape-of-europa-w-anna-rubin-director-of-the-holocaust-claims-processing-office-brooklyn-law-school-ny/) - Center for Art Law and Brooklyn Law School Art Law Association invite you to a dinner and a movie in Brooklyn! Join us for the screening of "The Rape of Europa," a documentary about Nazi-era looted art and efforts made on behalf of some survivors and heirs to recover their displaced property. The film is
- [You've Been Served: "Legs a Big Issue In a Small Town" AC Institute (NY) w/ Beatrice Alda, Jennifer Brooke, and David Joel; Moderator: Adelaide Dunn @AC Institute (NYC)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-legs-a-big-issue-in-a-small-town-ac-institute-ny-w-beatrice-alda-jennifer-brooke-and-david-joel-moderator-adelaide-dunn-ac-institute-nyc/) - Center for Art Law invites you to the AC Institute for an exclusive screening of the heartfelt and amusing documentary, Legs: A Big Issue in a Small Town, fresh off its first round of film festivals last year. The Movie Legs, made by filmmakers Beatrice Alda and Jennifer Brooke (Forever Films Inc), tells the story of a diverse community
- [You've Been Served: "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child" (2010)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-jean-michel-basquiat-the-radiant-child-2010/) - You are invited to a special screening of the 2010 "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child" documentary followed by a discussion about artists' rights, authenticity, and street art! Our guest experts included attorneys working on the New York State bill to protect art authenticators and representing street artists who find their works if not their names
- [You've Been Served: "Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery"(2014)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/youve-been-served-beltracchi-the-art-of-forgery2014/) - Center for Art Law returns to Brooklyn Law School for the fourth You've Been Served Evening. We are pleased to work with the Brooklyn Law School Art Law Association (ALA) again and invite you to a screening of "Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery" (2014), a documentary about the infamous German forger who tricked the international art world, and after
- [What's in the Box: A Webinar on Art Storage (w/Simon Hornby, Hanoch Sheps Esq. & Irina Tarsis)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/whats-in-the-box-a-webinar-on-art-storage/) - About this event Art Storage…the home of a lot of the art in the world. But there is more to the topic than just a shelf or a box in a room where you keep the art. What do you do to protect your work from natural disasters? What does a contract look like between
- [A Primer on Artists' Trusts: Part 1](https://itsartlaw.org/events/primer-on-artists-trusts-part-1/) - About the Event The estate planning process can seem complicated with the number of options and buzzwords out there for securing a loved one’s legacy–wills, trusts, estates, and foundations. With all this floating around, it’s difficult to know what the best choice is for your artist's estate. Join the Center for Art Law, with Melissa
- [Art Law Colloquium: Censorship & Artistic Expression (w/Amy Werbel)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-colloquium-censorship-artistic-expression-w-amy-werbel/) - About the Event For the first art law colloquium at the Center, Amy Werbel, professor, academic, and author of Lust on Trial: Censorship and the Rise of American Obscenity in the Age of Anthony Comstock discussed her newest research, a report on Freedom of Artistic Expression in Academic Art Museums and Galleries!
- [Immigration and Artists: The O-1 Visa (w/ artist Layo Bright and immigration attorney Rebecca Lenetsky)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/national-arts-club-speaker-series-immigration-and-artists-the-o-1-visa/)
- [Visual Artists Immigration Clinic (Mar. 2020)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic/)
- [Visual Artists Immigration Clinic (Mar. 2021)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/visual-artists-immigration-clinic-2/)
- [An Introduction to Cultural Heritage Law and Order](https://itsartlaw.org/events/an-introduction-to-cultural-heritage-law-and-order/) - Description Monday, February 12, 2018 6 PM - 8 PM Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law 55 Fifth Avenue Moot Court AuditoriumOn Monday, February 12, 2018, between 6pm and 8 pm, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law will host a cultural heritage law panel with attorneys and law enforcement specialists from related fields. The event will provide
- [Philadelphia Art Law Mixer @ Freeman’s (PA)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/philadelphia-art-law-mixer-freemans/) - Do recent Corcoran cy pres debates reminded you of Barnes debacle/debate? Are the new Federal and State ivory trade bans affecting your business and livelihood? Lawsuits involving the Rauschenberg and Twombly Foundations offer lessons about the fiduciary duties of trustees, but what are those lessons? Let's discuss these and other worthy art and law topics! Over drinks! * * * Center for
- [Immigration Law & the Arts: Nice Work if You Can Get In…  (Guest Speakers: Alejandro Filippa & Michael Lehach) @ George Berges Gallery (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/immigration-law-and-the-arts-nice-work-if-you-can-get-in-w-alejandro-filippa-and-michael-lehach-george-berges-gallery-ny/) - By Katherine Jennings. On March 9, 2017, the Center for Art Law held an Art Law Mixer addressing the timely and provocative topic of immigration issues confronted by immigrant artists with the recent issuance of EO 13769, among other anti-immigrant measures. The 45th President commenced his presidency with a barrage of Executive Orders (EOs) including EO 13769*, which
- [2015 Art Law Conference: Art, Law and Crises of Connoisseurship (London, UK)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/2015-art-law-conference-art-law-and-crises-of-connoisseurship-london-uk/)
- [Art and Law Auction 2021: Culture Continues](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-and-law-auction-2021/)
- [Art Law Mixer: Estate Planning For Artists @ VLA (NYC)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-law-mixer-estate-planning-for-artists-vla-nyc/)
- [Restitution Art Law Mixer: Welcome to NYC, TEFAF!](https://itsartlaw.org/events/restitution-art-law-mixer-welcome-to-nyc-tefaf/)
- [Collecting Art Law Mixer w/ special guest Massimo Sterpi @ Ascent Contemporary Projects (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/collecting-art-law-mixer-w-special-guest-massimo-sterpi-ascent-contemporary-projects-ny/)
- [Art Law Mixer by the Book @ ARS Libri (Boston, MA)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/boston-art-law-mixer-by-the-book-ars-libri-boston-ma/)
- [Capital Art Law Mixer @ Hamiltonian Gallery (Washington DC).](https://itsartlaw.org/events/capital-art-law-mixer-hamiltonian-gallery-washington-dc/)
- [Spring into Art Law Mixer @ Lyons Wier Gallery (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/spring-into-art-law-mixer-lyons-wier-gallery-ny/)
- [See Art, Think Art Law: Jeff Koons Retrospective @ Whitney Museum of American Art (NY).](https://itsartlaw.org/events/guided-tour-jeff-koons-retrospective-whitney-museum-of-american-art-ny/)
- [Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany - guided tour w/ Irina Tarsis  @ Neue Galerie New York (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/degenerate-art-the-attack-on-modern-art-in-nazi-germany-guided-tour-w-irina-tarsis-neue-galerie-new-york-ny/)
- [Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany - guided tour w/ Irina Tarsis  @ Neue Galerie New York (NY)](https://itsartlaw.org/events/degenerate-art-the-attack-on-modern-art-in-nazi-germany-guided-tour-w-irina-tarsis-neue-galerie-new-york-ny-2/)
- [Introduction to Genealogy w/ Dr. Rose Lerer Cohen](https://itsartlaw.org/events/introduction-to-genealogy-w-dr-rose-lerer-cohen/)
- [See Art, Think Art Law: Richard Serra @ Gagosian Gallery](https://itsartlaw.org/events/see-art-think-art-law-richard-serra-gagosian-gallery/)

## Newsletters

- [Next stop: Zurich](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/next-stop-zurich/)
- [Key Question: Who Holds the Reins?](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/may-newsletter-key-questions-who-holds-the-reins/)
- [Do Not Forget](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/newsletter-april-2026-do-not-forget/)
- [Beware of March](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/beware-of-march-art-law-blast-newsletter-2026/)
- [A Class of Its Own](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/class-of-its-own-2026-february-newsletter/)
- [Which Way is Up?](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/january-newsletter-which-way-is-up/)
- [Notes for General Circulation](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/notes-for-general-circulation/)
- [The Labors of November](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-autumn-harvest/)
- [Turning the Leaves](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/october-newsletter/)
- [Balancing Act](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/september-newsletter-balancing-act/)
- [Term of Art: August](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/term-of-art-august/)
- [New New Era](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/july-newsletter/)
- [June, Unlimited and Untitled](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/june_unlimited_untitled_2025_newsletter/)
- [April Fools Nobody](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/april-newsletter-2025/)
- [May We Live In Less Interesting Times](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/may-we-live-in-less-interesting-times/)
- [Marching On Here, Hanging In There](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/marching-on-newsletter/)
- [What are they saying?!](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/what-are-they-saying/)
- [Blue January](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/blue-january/)
- [Just Fortitude](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/just-fortitude/)
- [Proving May Mettle](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/golden-may/)
- [Take Two: Vanity Fair](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/take-two-vanity-fair/)
- [Our Town: Sunrise, Sunset](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/2024-sunrise-sunset-october-newsletter/)
- [Flexing New Muscles](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/flexing-new-muscles/)
- [Mythological Figure: You're Star](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/mythological-figure-youre-star/)
- [Holding Out for a Hero](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/holding-out-for-a-hero/)
- [Projects Galore](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/projects-galore/)
- [There is a Crack in Everything](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/march-2024/)
- [April Marathon](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/another-april-marathon/)
- [Matter of Time](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/matter-of-time/)
- [Eyes on Judges](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/eyes-in-judges-january-2024/)
- [Bells and Whistles](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/bells-and-whistles/)
- [Autumnal Intelligence](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/nov-2023-autumnal-intelligence/)
- [Too Much](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/october-2023-too-much/)
- [Pinkest Punk](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/pinkest_punk/)
- [Our Town(s)!](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-our-towns/)
- [The Divine Comedy](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-divine-comedy/)
- [Springtime](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/springtime/)
- [Oceans](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/oceans/)
- [October 18, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/october-18-2012/)
- [October 25, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/october-25-2012/)
- [November 23, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-23-2012/)
- [November 2, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-2-2012/)
- [November 30, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-30-2012/)
- [November 16, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-16-2012/)
- [January 14, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/january-14-2013/)
- [December 14, 2012](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/december-14-2012/)
- [January 28, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/january-28-2013/)
- [February 11, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/february-11-2013/)
- [February 25, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/february-25-2013/)
- [March 4, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/march-4-2013/)
- [March 25, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/march-25-2013/)
- [April 1, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/april-1-2013/)
- [March 11, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/march-11-2013/)
- [April 8, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/april-8-2013/)
- [Apr 15, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/apr-15-2013/)
- [Apr 30, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/apr-30-2013/)
- [May 6, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/may-6-2013/)
- [May 13, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/may-13-2013/)
- [March 11, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-march-2014/)
- [October 08, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/october-8-2014/)
- [September 20, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/september-20-2014/)
- [February 18, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-february-18-2014/)
- [February 25, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-february-25-2014/)
- [March 18, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-march-18-2014/)
- [March 25, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-march-25-2014/)
- [April 25, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-april-25-2014/)
- [February 5, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-blast-february-5-2014/)
- [April 09, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/april-09-2014/)
- [November 04, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-04-2014/)
- [July 8, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/july-8-2014/)
- [May 14, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/may-14-2014/)
- [Art Law Blast December 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/december-23-2015/)
- [Art Law Blast February 2015](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/https-us2-campaign-archive-com-u78692bfa901c588ea1fe5e801id5872bea70e/)
- [Season's Greetings and Best Wishes in 2015!](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/seasons-greetings-and-best-wishes-in-2015/)
- [Art & Craft](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-craft/)
- [The Places You'll Go...](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-places-youll-go/)
- [Fair, Fairer, Fairest](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/fair-fairer-fairest/)
- [The Home of Humanity](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-home-of-humanity/)
- [Season's Greetings](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/seasons-greetings/)
- [Thanksgiving Issue](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/thanksgiving-issue/)
- [November 19, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-19-2013/)
- [November 12, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-12-2013/)
- [November 5, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/november-5-2013/)
- [October 29, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/october-29-2013/)
- [October 22, 2013](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/october-22-2013/)
- [January 7, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/january-7-2014/)
- [July 25, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/july-25-2014/)
- [May 28, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/may-28-2014/)
- [May 7, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/may-7-2014/)
- [April 2, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/april-2-2014/)
- [January 31, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/january-31-2014/)
- [January 14, 2014](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/january-14-2014/)
- [What's New](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/whats-new/)
- [Art Law Mixers](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-mixers/)
- [You've Been Served: "Woman in Gold"](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/youve-been-served-woman-in-gold/)
- [Come on Over](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/come-on-over/)
- [The Red and the Black](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-red-and-the-black/)
- [5 years of art law blasts](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/5-years-of-art-law-blasts/)
- [Wild](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/wild/)
- [Celebrating Life](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/celebrating-life/)
- [The International Issue](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-international-issue/)
- [Back to the Future](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/back-to-the-future/)
- [[Untitled]](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/untitled/)
- [April Fools Art Law Rules](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/april-fools-art-law-rules/)
- [Ides of March](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/ides-of-march/)
- [April Bull](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/april-bull/)
- [Art Law Treats](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-treats/)
- [Block Party: Street Art Rulz](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/block-party-street-art-rulz/)
- [Thank God It’s February](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/thank-god-its-february/)
- [Before 2018...](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/before-2018/)
- [The Lost Supper](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-lost-supper/)
- [Fall Into Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/fall-into-art-law/)
- [Because I Love Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/because-i-love-art-law/)
- [All’s Fair In Art and Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/alls-fair-in-art-and-law/)
- [It’s Been Swell…tering](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/its-been-swelltering/)
- [Strawberry Fields Forever](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/strawberry-fields-forever/)
- [Basking in Basquiat](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/basking-in-basquiat/)
- [Spring for Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/spring-for-art-law/)
- [All That Glitters Is Gold?](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/all-that-glitters-is-gold/)
- [Art Law Thanks-for-giving](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-thanks-for-giving/)
- [Harvest Season](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/harvest-season/)
- [Back to School](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/back-to-school/)
- [Change Colours](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/change-colours/)
- [Sun Never Sets on Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/sun-never-sets-on-art-law/)
- [Under one Roof](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/under-one-roof/)
- [Freshly Minted](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/freshly-minted/)
- [Find the Right Angle](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/find-the-right-angle/)
- [Power Through](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/power-through/)
- [Culture Continues](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/culture-continues/)
- [Only Human Authorship](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/only-human-authorship/)
- [Looking Back, Looking Forward](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/looking-back-looking-forward/)
- [Art Law News for 11/23/2015](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-news-for-11-23-2015/)
- [Lemon Laws](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/lemon-laws/)
- [LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/location-location-location/)
- [So Long, 2016](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/so-long-2016/)
- [Heat Stroke](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/heat-stroke/) - Please read our August 2015 Newsletter HERE.
- [Al Mahdi Case](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/al-mahadi-case/)
- [Spring into Summer](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/spring-into-summer/)
- [Brooklyn Bridge to Peace](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/brooklyn-bridge-to-peace/)
- [It’s Personal](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/its-personal/)
- [Let's Do It Again but Better](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/lets-do-it-again-but-better/)
- [Sagittarius Season](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/sagittarius-season/)
- [New Art Law Team](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/new-art-law-team/)
- [Passing off the Torch](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/passing-off-the-torch/)
- [Metamartha... Now that's Scary](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/metamartha-now-thats-scary/)
- [An Entrance to Paradise](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/an-entrance-to-paradise/)
- [Case Opened](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/case-opened/)
- [One World](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/one-world/)
- [We Will Always Have Brooklyn](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/we-will-always-have-brooklyn/)
- [Building Better Boundaries](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/building-better-boundaries-art-law-newsletter/)
- [Depth of Field](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/depth-of-field/)
- [Oh, Sweet September!](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/oh-sweet-september/)
- [August is for Rest and Recharging](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/august-is-for-rest-and-recharging/)
- [Summer Art Lovin’](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/summer-art-lovin/)
- [Surrealism in 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/surrealism-in-2022-june-issue/)
- [New Year, More Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/new-year-more-art-law/)
- [Longing for Spring](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/longing-for-spring/)
- [Marching Into Art Law Action](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/marching-into-art-law-action/)
- [Art Law Puzzles](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-puzzles/)
- [Spring Has Sprung: NYC Fair Season](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/spring-has-sprung-nyc-fair-season/)
- [Come Together for Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/come-together-for-art-law/)
- [Looking Good](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/looking-good/)
- [Summer in the City](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/summer-in-the-city/)
- [The Door to Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/the-door-to-art-law-2/)
- [Looking is Caring](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/looking-is-caring/)
- [Join the Action](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/join-the-action/)
- [No Time Like The Present](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/no-time-like-the-present/)
- [Stargazer](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/stargazer/)
- [New Year of Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/new-year-of-art-law/)
- [Leap for Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/leap-for-art-law/)
- [Art Law With Smiles](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-with-smiles/)
- [Art Law in the Time of Coronavirus](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/)
- [There Will Come Soft Rains](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/there-will-come-soft-rains/)
- [Turn and Face The Strange](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/turn-and-face-the-strange/)
- [Zoom In On Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/zoom-in-on-art-law/)
- [Out of Office](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/out-of-office/)
- [Art Law Never Sleeps](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-never-sleeps/)
- [Art Law Family](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/art-law-family/)
- [Through the Looking Glass](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/through-the-looking-glass/)
- [Win Some, Lose Some](https://itsartlaw.org/newsletters/win-some-lose-some/)

## Reports

- [AML and the Art Market Study (2025 edition)](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/aml-and-the-art-market-study-2025-edition/) - About the Study From 16 in the first edition to 28 countries in the second. From 78 pages in 2023 to over 200 pages in 2025, the Center is pleased to share the 2nd edition of its Anti-Money Laundering Study for the Art Market participants. When we produced the 2023 study, we knew that the 2025 edition of the Center for Art Law AML study for the art market participants by jurisdiction. Anti-money laundering study for the art trade.
- [2023-2024 Judith Bresler Fellowship Report](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/2023-2024-judith-bresler-fellowship-report/)
- [Nazi-era Looted Art Restitution Cases Project 2025](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/nazi-era-looted-art-restitution-cases-project/) - Painting "Girl from Sabin Mountains" by Franz Xaver Winterhalter aptly illustrates our first report about the Nazi-era looted art restitution cases Project that the Center has been administering and running since 2024. The painting was in possession of the Galerie Stern in Düsseldorf, Germany, owned by Max Stern, a prominent Jewish art dealer who inherited
- [2025-2026 Judith Bresler Fellowship – Midterm Report](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/2025-2026-jb-midterm-report/)
- [AI and Art Authentication](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/ai-and-art-authentication-2025/) - Proliferation of artificial intelligence tools and models and the rise of AI tools in art authentication, prompted formation of the following framework for responsible use of AI in Art Authentication. Proposed as best practices guidelines, the following builds on four foundational principles: transparency, accountability, scientific rigor, and human-AI collaboration. This framework addresses both the technical
- [Annual Report 2025](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/annual-report-2025/)
- [2024-2025 Judith Bresler Fellowship Report](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/2024-2025-judith-bresler-annual-report/)
- [AML and the Art Market Study (2023 edition)](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/aml-and-the-art-market-study-2023-edition/) - Who Contributed to this Study We identified and contacted dozens of attorneys and hundreds of art dealers from various European jurisdictions, as well as UK and US. From legal experts, using a standardized set of questions, we collected data on the legal acts where the AML rules are contained in their respective jurisdictions. The responses
- [Summer School Agenda](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/agenda-2025-summer-school/)
- [Summer School 2025](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/art-law-summer-school-2025/)
- [2024-2025 Judith Bresler Fellowship - Midterm Report](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/2024-2025-judith-bresler-fellowship-midterm-report/)
- [2023-2024 Midterm Report](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/2023-2024-midterm-report/)
- [2021-2022 Judith Bresler Fellowship Report](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/2021-2022-judith-bresler-fellowship-report/)
- [Annual Report 2024](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/annual-report-2024/)
- [Annual Report 2023](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/annual-report-2023/)
- [Annual Report 2020](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/annual-report-2020/)
- [Annual Report 2022](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/annual-report-2022/)
- [Annual Report 2021](https://itsartlaw.org/reports/annual-report-2021/)

## Resources

- [Art Law Films](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/films/) - Looking for a good Saturday night movie? From documentaries to historical drama and fiction, below is a selection of art law films, organized by release date. See the full list in our Law Library, and if you would like to suggest additional films, please contact us to add them to this ever-growing list. Our Top Picks:
- [Art Law in Color: Resources on Art, Race, Decolonization and Justice](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/art-law-resources-on-racial-justice/) - Welcome to "Art Law in Color", a dedicated page designed to foster education and dialogue around the critical intersections of art, race, decolonization, and justice. In an ever-evolving cultural landscape, it is essential to reexamine the narratives that shape our understanding of art history and the legal frameworks within which they exist. This webpage serves
- [Artists’ Assistance](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/artists-assistance/) - The nonprofit or not-for-profit sector offers a great wealth of services to the artistic and arts-related communities in the United States and worldwide. The list of organizations will be expanding and we invite your input on additional organization and content to make this resource as user-friendly as possible. Americans for the Arts (“ACA”) has a
- [Art Law Institution](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/research-institutions/) - Artive is a non-profit organization facilitating the protection of cultural property through its risk management services and growing database of claimed objects. New London, CT. Art-Law Centre Geneva is a research center at the University of Geneva, promoting and coordinating research and work on the most current questions of art law. Geneva, Switzerland. Art Law
- [The "Interview" Project](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/the-interview-project/) - Center for Art Law frequently receives questions from students and members of the general public about how one enters the field and becomes a professional in art and cultural heritage spheres. We thank our emeritus advisor Jennifer Kreder for suggesting that the Center conducts interviews with key practitioners in the private and public sectors to
- [Law School Societies](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/student-societies/) - Law school graduates, defense lawyers and prosecutors, judges, and entrepreneurs help Art Law grow. Many law students with an interest in the arts may be able to join their student art law clubs and societies. If your society is not listed, you can contact us here. American University Washington College of Law: Fashion and Art
- [Nazi-Looted Art Restitution Project](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/nazi_looted_art_cases/) - DISCLAIMER: This resource is intended to be for research and educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Should readers require advice on relevant restitution matters, they should consult an attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction. Introduction With the rise of National Socialism in Germany, the largest art theft in world history was
- [AML REGULATIONS AND THE ART MARKET: A Comparative Study for the EU, UK, US](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/aml-regulations-and-the-art-market-eu-uk-us/) - You can download the Comparative Study HERE. DISCLAIMER This resource is intended to be for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Should readers require advice on relevant Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, they should consult an attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction. Please note that regulations are subject to updates and change.
- [Articles](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/articles/)
- [Case Law Corner](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/case-law-corner/) - We are pleased to offer you access to art and cultural heritage law cases. As you may know, common law relies on precedent. Art law and cultural heritage legal decisions we aim to track and record as many of the related court filings and rulings connected to art and cultural heritage disputes. In 2023, the
- [Legal Sources](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/legal-sources/) - Below is a list of useful links to laws, conventions, and agencies dealing with art law and cultural property matters, mostly in the United States. Laws Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq. Chapter 97 of Harmonized Tariffs Schedule Cultural Property Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq. Immunity from
- [Courses and Schools](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/courses-and-schools/)
- [Law Firms](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/law-firms/)
- [Bar Associations](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/bar-associations/) - American Bar Association: Arts & Cultural Heritage Law Committee "This committee is composed of attorneys with an interest in the field of art, cultural heritage, and cultural property law and who work in a variety of settings, including private practice, museums, government, and academia. This area of law is concerned with both movable and immovable property of
- [Art Law in the Time of Coronavirus](https://itsartlaw.org/resources/art-law-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/) - Monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on museums, art fairs, auction houses, galleries, and artists. Ongoing Coverage of COVID-19’s Impact on the Art World [via Artsy]. A Daily Report on How COVID-19 Is Impacting the Art World [via Hyperallergic]. Canceled & Postponed Events Coronavirus Cancellation Watch: An Up-to-the-Minute Guide to How the Global Health Crisis Is

## Speakers

- [Miriam Lord](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/miriam-lord/) - Miriam Lord is the Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education for the United States Copyright Office. Before joining the Office, Lord was the director of the Global Intellectual Property Academy at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, providing domestic and international intellectual property capacity-building, technical assistance, and education policy and
- [Yayoi Shionoiri](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/yayoi-shionoiri/) - Yayoi Shionoiri is an art lawyer and arts worker with over two decades’ worth of experiencing supporting artists and art world stakeholders. She currently serves as the VP of External Affairs and General Counsel at Powerhouse Arts, a non-profit fabrication facility in Brooklyn with state-of-the-art equipment that allows artists the opportunity to work in different mediums,
- [Vivek Jayaram](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/vivek-jayaram/) - Vivek Jayaram is nationally recognized for handling high-stakes IP + business disputes and negotiating deals for creatives, brands, and entrepreneurs around the world. Clients turn to him for his rare combination of cultural fluency, business savvy, and legal depth. An IP expert and longtime adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, he
- [Atreya Mathur](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/atreya-mathur/) - Atreya Mathur is the Director of Legal Research at the Center for Art Law. She received her Master of Laws from New York University School of Law where she specialized in Competition, Innovation, and Information Laws, with a focus on copyright, intellectual property, and art law. She also co-founded m e r a k i
- [Davide Cantoni](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/davide-cantoni/) - Davide Cantoni was born in Italy, Cantoni completed his BA Fine Art at the Slade School in London where he was awarded a Boise travel scholarship in 1988 for an exchange year at the Hochschule Der Kunst in Berlin. Attended the Royal College of Art and received an MA (RCA) in Painting in 1993. His
- [Amaya Aramburu](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/amaya-aramburu/) - Amaya Aramburu is Client Relations and Business Development Manager at Art Recognition AG, a Swiss company pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to support authenticity assessments for private collections, galleries, and cultural institutions. Over the past three and a half years, she has worked closely with collectors, galleries, art lawyers and institutions to help integrate
- [Lindsay Korotkin](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/lindsay-korotkin/) - Lindsay’s practice focuses on trademark, trade dress, copyright, right of publicity, and art market litigation, prosecution, and transactions. She represents and counsels clients ranging from Fortune 10 companies to individuals and family businesses across a wide array of industries, including: fashion, beauty & retail; art, media, publishing, music & entertainment; food, alcoholic beverage & health;
- [Carol J. Steinberg](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/carol-j-steinberg/) - Carol J. Steinberg has practiced art, copyright, and entertainment law in New York City and on the East End of Long Island for over twenty years. She is a Member of the Faculty of the School of Visual Arts, where she teaches courses on artists’ rights. Ms. Steinberg is a co-chair of the Fine Arts Committee
- [Janet Hicks](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/janet-hicks/) - Janet is Vice President and Director of Licensing at ARS, and serves on the Executive Committee of the visual arts arm of CISAC, known as CIAGP, the International Council of Creators of Graphic, Plastic, and Photographic Arts. She is also the ARS representative for IFFRO, the International Federation of Reproductive Rights Organization.
- [Ben Zhao](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/ben-zhao/) - Ben Zhao is Neubauer Professor of Computer Science at University of Chicago. He completed his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley (2004), and B.S. from Yale (1997). He is a Fellow of the ACM, and a recipient of the NSF CAREER award, MIT Technology Review's TR-35 Award (Young Innovators Under 35), USENIX Internet Defense Prize, ComputerWorld Magazine's
- [Vince Wilcke](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/vince-wilcke/) - Vince Wilcke is a Senior Researcher and Permissions Manager at Pace Gallery, where they manage the rights clearance process for all content generated by the gallery. Previously, Vince worked as a Rights and Reproductions Coordinator at Pace Gallery and held various archivist roles at notable institutions, including Gladstone Gallery and Matthew Marks Gallery. Vince has
- [Greg Allen](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/greg-allen/) - Greg Allen is an artist and writer in Washington, D.C. who has published greg.org: the making of, a blog about the creative process, since 2001. His work has been exhibited at MoMA PS1 and LACMA. He has written for ARTnews about his two-year search for a stolen Jasper Johns flag painting, and the Warhol Foundation's
- [Martin Cribbs](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/martin-cribbs/) - With more than 30 years of expertise in brand licensing, I specialize in building brand value and monetizing intellectual property rights. My work encompasses every facet of the licensing process—from consumer research and strategic planning to creative development, sales, and program management—ensuring brands achieve their goals and objectives. Throughout my career, I have had the
- [Irina Tarsis](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/irina-tarsis/) - Irina Tarsis, Esq., brings business and art history training to her practice of art law. She concentrates on disputes related to ownership of visual art. Founder and Director of the Center for Art Law, she conducts provenance research and consults on art law matters such as title disputes, copyright infringement and fair use, artists’ rights,
- [Andrew Adams](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/andrew-adams/) - Andrew Adams, a New York partner, advises companies and individuals in the areas of government and internal investigations, corporate governance, and white collar and regulatory matters. His practice includes a particular focus on anti-money laundering compliance, U.S. economic countermeasures and national security crisis response, drawing on Andrew’s time as the inaugural Director of the Department
- [Richard Lehun](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/dr-richard-m-lehun-esq/) - Richard Lehun is an attorney and consultant focused on business and legal relations in art, visual media, film, and television. He is responsible for transactions involving fiduciary duties and conflicts of interest, particularly those relating to artist-gallery relations, artist commissions, art advising, consignor-auction house relations, gallery, museum, auction house, and non-profit ethics. He also works
- [Ethan Cohen](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/ethan-cohen/) - Ethan Cohen is a gallerist, art advisor, certified appraiser, and curator with over 35 years of experience. He is also the co-founder of 54 Projects LLC, and head of acquisitions for 54 Art Fund. From the very beginning Ethan Cohen Gallery has represented a pioneering blend of both emerging and internationally renowned artists.His gallery serves
- [Caryn B. Keppler](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/caryn-b-keppler/) - Caryn Keppler is a principal in Offit Kurman’s Estates and Trusts Practice Group. Caryn considers herself a "primary care provider," whose role is to recognize and solve a client's multiple legal issues and, if necessary, direct them to other specialists as needed. She has extensive experience in all aspects of estate, gift, and charitable planning
- [Diego R. Figueroa-Rodríguez](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/diego-r-figueroa-rodriguez/) - Diego R. Figueroa-Rodríguez, Of Counsel, DLA Piper is an attorney whose main practice focuses on representing issuers and underwriters in public finance transactions encompassing multiple types of financing structures. He has acted as counsel in over 50 financing transactions involving the issuance of over $21 billion of bonds. Due to his involvement in the art
- [Pierre Ciric](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/pierre-ciric/) - Pierre Ciric is a founding member of the Ciric Law Firm, PLLC, a boutique law firm located in New York, NY, which focuses on cultural heritage law, general litigation for businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals, as well as legal ethics. Pierre has represented a number of clients in the cultural heritage field. Pierre obtained, on
- [Dean Nicyper](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/dean-nicyper/) - Dean Nicyper is a partner in the litigation and arbitration team. In addition, Dean has negotiated and drafted many agreements in art and intellectual property transactions. Dean led the US Dispute Resolution division from July 2015 to June 2022. Dean has successfully represented one of the two largest art auction houses in dozens of lawsuits
- [Samuel Kleiner](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/samuel-kleiner/) - A counsel in the Litigation Department, Sam Kleiner represents clients in high-stakes litigation, government and internal investigations, and regulatory proceedings. Prior to joining Paul, Weiss, he served as a senior advisor to the General Counsel and the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he advised on
- [Meghan Bill](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/meghan-bill/) - Meghan Bill is the Coordinator of Provenance Research at the Brooklyn Museum. As the Museum's primary provenance researcher, she investigates the histories of works in the permanent collection and strives to make that research more inclusive and transparent. She has taught about provenance research and ethical concerns for museums to museum professionals, not-for-profit boards of
- [John Belcaster](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/john-belcaster/) - John Belcaster serves as General Counsel of MSCHF, an American art collective based in Brooklyn. Before joining MSCHF, John built legal, risk, and compliance functions as General Counsel for two fintech start-ups, PayForward and NextCapital (acquired by Goldman Sachs). For a decade, John worked in a small Chicago-based law firm alongside former colleague, Barack Obama.
- [Marcus Asner](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/marcus-asner/) - As Co-Chair of the firm's White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, Marcus Asner draws on his extensive federal government experience and trial work to represent clients in complex criminal and civil litigation and investigations across a wide range of industries. Marcus's white collar practice includes matters involving alleged violations of the FCPA and cases involving
- [Tess Bonoli](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/tess-bonoli/) - Tess Bonoli is an attorney at Morrison Cohen LLP, where she focuses on intellectual property, technology, privacy and data security matters. She represents clients with respect to intellectual property rights and strategic licensing, art acquisitions, cryptocurrency and digital artwork, trademark prosecution, technology transactions, and privacy compliance and data security considerations. Tess currently serves as an
- [Renée Vara](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/renee-vara/) - Renée is a cultural entrepreneur, advisor, curator, and artist advocate. Her area of research focuses on the intersection of contemporary art, economics, and creative rights to establish pragmatic solutions to artistic preservation. The founder of VARA ART, Renée has over 25 years of experience within the fields of postwar, contemporary, and emerging art. Prior to
- [Caitlin McGrail](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/caitlin-mcgrail/) - Caitlin McGrail is a Fellow at the Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts. She graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law where she was a recipient of the Best Memorandum Award, served as teaching assistant for legal writing courses, and was inducted into Order of the Coif. She
- [Philippa Loengard](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/philippa-loengard/) - Philippa Loengard joined the Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts at Columbia Law School in 2006. Her research focuses on issues surrounding the visual arts and entertainment industries. She is particularly interested in issues of taxation as they pertain to the arts and the rights of authors and creators. Loengard is the Chair
- [Sherri Cohen](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/sherri-cohen/) - Sherri Cohen joined Sotheby’s in 2023 as the Global Head of Fiduciary Client Group. She is responsible for leading the New York and London teams, working in close collaboration with the entire Sotheby’s Global Business Development team, Specialist Departments, and Chairmen to assist lawyers, bankers, family offices, and fiduciaries in planning for the lifecycle of
- [Will Korner](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/will-korner/) - Will Korner is Head of Fairs at TEFAF, where he oversees operations at TEFAF’s world-leading fairs in Maastricht and New York. He works directly with more than 300 international galleries and dealerships, as well as museums, collectors and many other stakeholders within TEFAF’s community and unique role as an arts foundation. Will was previously Manager
- [Evie Joselow](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/evie-joselow/) - Evie T. Joselow is an independent fine art appraiser who brings more than 30 years of wide-ranging experience to corporate, institutional, and private clients seeking appraisals of artworks and decorative objects. As an art historian, curator, and expert researcher and consultant, she has extensive knowledge of art history, art markets, artists, and collecting trends, as
- [Megan Fox Kelly](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/megan-fox-kelly/) - Megan is a professional art advisor who builds and manages collections for an international mix of individuals, museums, estates and foundations. After ten years in the international art business, she established Megan Fox Kelly Art Advisory in New York in 1999. Megan has curated private collections of Post-War and Contemporary art, important 19th and 20th
- [Raymond J. Dowd](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/raymond-j-dowd/) - Raymond J. Dowd is a member of Dunnington’s cultural property and museums, litigation and arbitration, intellectual property, advertising, art and fashion law, international, investigations, Italy desk and France desk practice areas. He has served as lead counsel in high-stakes, high-profile litigations and arbitrations in New York for over two decades. His book Copyright Litigation Handbook
- [Marc Masurovsky](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/marc-masurovsky/) - Marc Masurovsky co-founded the Holocaust Art Restitution Project (HARP) in September 1997 and served as its Director of Research. Since 1980 he has examined the general question of assets looted during the Nazi era. He worked as an expert historian on a class-action lawsuit filed by Jewish claimants against three leading Swiss banks, accusing them
- [Marc Porter](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/marc-porter/) - Marc Porter is Chairman of Christie’s Americas, and a member of Christie’s Executive Management Group. Over his 25 years with the company, Mr. Porter has worked in a series of roles in Specialist and Management divisions. In Spring 2018, he directed the sale of the Peggy and David Rockefeller Collection, which was the largest collection
- [James Ratcliffe](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/james-ratcliffe/) - James Ratcliffe is the General Counsel and Director of Recoveries at the Art Loss Register. Before joining the Art Loss Register, James practiced as a solicitor in commercial litigation in London. Prior to that, his academic background was in archaeology. James now manages the recoveries and restitution teams at the ALR, working closely with law
- [Lucian Simmons](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/lucian-simmons/) - Lucian Simmons is the Head of Provenance Research at the MET. He has worked at Sotheby’s since 1995, most recently serving as Vice Chairman and Worldwide Head of the Restitution Department and Senior Specialist for the Impressionist and Modern Art Department. Prior to joining Sotheby’s, he was a partner in the London law firm of
- [Nicholas O'Donnell](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/nicholas-odonnell/) - Nicholas O’Donnell’s practice focuses primarily on complex civil litigation, for which he has appeared before the Supreme Court of the United States. He represents corporations, employers, individuals, investment advisers, banks, and others around the world in contract, employment, securities, consumer protection, tort and domestic relations cases, with particular experience in the German-speaking world. He is also
- [Amanda Buonaiuto](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/amanda-buonaiuto/) - Amanda Buonaiuto is a Brazilian lawyer with a specialization in Nazi-looted art restitution, earned through her LL.M. at the University of Bonn, Germany. With expertise in provenance research, she is responsible for leading and managing of the Nazi-Looted Art Restitution Project for the Center for Art Law.
- [Thomas R. Kline](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/thomas-r-kline/) - Thomas R. Kline advises clients on a wide variety of art, museum, and cultural heritage matters, including issues of ownership, theft, authenticity, breach of contract, insurance, and related disputes. Since 1989 he has practiced in litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution, and he has represented governments, museums, churches, foundations, and families in recovering stolen art and
- [Peter J. Toren](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/peter-j-toren/) - Peter J. Toren is an intellectual property attorney in Washington, D.C. where he helps individuals and companies protect their IP rights. Mr. Toren is representing his family in a case against the Federal Republic of Germany involving family art stolen during the Second World War. (Toren v. Federal Republic of Germany, 1:16-cv-01885-RJL (D.D.C.)). Prior to
- [Howard Spiegler](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/howard-spiegler/) - As co-chair of the Art Law Group at Herrick, Feinstein, Howard Spiegler has been involved in several of the best-known and most important litigations brought on behalf of foreign governments and heirs of Holocaust victims and others to recover stolen artwork or other cultural property. In one of the first cases involving Nazi-looted art, he
- [Laurel Zuckerman](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/laurel-zuckerman/) - Laurel Zuckerman's work currently focuses on the art world and the Holocaust. She explores how linked open data, natural language processing, network analysis and the digital tools and techniques of investigative data journalism can be used to identify patterns in false provenances in Nazi-looted art and duress sales. In 2016, after twelve years of research,
- [Hon. Michael B.Mukasey](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/hon-michael-b-mukasey/) - Michael B. Mukasey recently served as Attorney General of the United States, the nation’s chief law enforcement officer. As Attorney General from November 2007 to January 2009, he oversaw the U.S. Department of Justice and advised on critical issues of domestic and international law. Judge Mukasey joined Debevoise as a partner in the litigation practice
- [David D’arcy](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/david-darcy/) - David D'Arcy is a freelance art critic and journalist whose articles can be found in such publications as The Arts Fuse, The Art Newspaper, CNN, NPR, SFGate, Irish Times, IndieWire, Observer, Vanity Fair, The National, San Francisco Chronicle, Screen Daily and more.
- [Jane Kallir](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/jane-kallir/) - Jane Kallir is an American art dealer, curator and author. She is co-director of the Galerie St. Etienne in New York, which specializes in Austrian and German Expressionism as well as self-taught and “outsider” art. In 2020, the gallery ceased commercial operations and became an art advisory. Its archives and library were transferred to the
- [Catherine Hickley](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/catherine-hickley/) - Catherine Hickley is a Berlin-based arts journalist. She is the Museums & Heritage editor of The Art Newspaper and a regular contributor to the arts pages of The New York Times. She is the author of The Munich Art Hoard: Hitler’s Dealer and His Secret Legacy, published in English by Thames & Hudson and in
- [Dr. Jacques Schuhmacher](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/dr-jacques-schuhmacher/) - Jacques Schuhmacher is the Executive Director of Provenance Research at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he leads the museum’s provenance initiatives across the entire collection, including building on the museum’s existing provenance research practice. He served as the Senior Provenance Research Curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. During his tenure
- [Hon. Loretta A. Preska](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/hon-loretta-a-preska/) - Judge Loretta A. Preska was nominated to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York in 1992 by President George H. W. Bush, and in 2009, she became Chief Judge (2009-2016). Judge Preska graduated from Fordham Law School in 1973 and received her L.L.M. from New York University School of Law. She is a
- [Blake Gopnik](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/blake-gopnik/) - Blake Gopnik is the author of Warhol, the first comprehensive biography of the Pop artist, and in the spring of 2022 began work on a biography of Albert Barnes, the great American collector of modern art. He was the staff art critic at the Washington Post and Newsweek and is now a Contributing Critic at
- [Steve Schindler](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/steve-schindler/) - Steven R. Schindler is one of the founding partners of Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP, one of New York City's outstanding litigation and art law boutiques. As a senior member of the firm’s litigation practice, Steve represents a broad range of clients in state and federal courts and arbitrations throughout the nation and works closely
- [Scott Wilson](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/scott-wilson-2/) - Scott R. Wilson is a Partner in the New York office of the global law firm DLA Piper. His practice focuses on commercial litigation and defending government investigations. He has represented collectors, museums and other clients in disputes involving stolen art and antiquities trafficking. Earlier in his career, Scott served as Senior Advisor and Special Counsel
- [Shushana Jachobov](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/shushana-jachobov/) - Shushana Jachobov is the Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at The New York Times.
- [Anden Chow](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/anden-chow/) - Anden Chow is a former federal prosecutor who assists companies and individuals in complex domestic and cross-border criminal, regulatory, and asset forfeiture investigations. He advises on U.S. economic sanctions, anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), cryptocurrency issues, and asset tracing. He also represents clients in high-stakes civil litigation. Over nearly a
- [Hon. Frederic Block](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/hon-frederic-block/) - Honorable Judge Fredric Block was nominated to the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, by President Clinton in 1994 and assumed senior status in 2005. Judge Block received his LL.B. from Cornell Law School in 1959. After which, he was a clerk for the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate
- [Hon. Barbara Jaffe](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/hon-barbara-jaffe/) - Honorable Barbara Jaffe is newly retired from the New York State Supreme Court, New York County. She is now Of Counsel to Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins & Goidel, PC, where she focuses exclusively on cases brought in the New York State Supreme and federal courts. She obtained her JD from Brooklyn Law School. After serving
- [Angelica Villa](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/angelica-villa/) - Angelica Villa is a staff reporter for ARTnews. She joined Art Media in spring 2020 as an editor and analyst for the former ARTnews affiliate Art Market Monitor, where she ran an online channel dedicated to auction news. Previously, she was a business analyst in the chairman’s office at Christie’s New York, and held a
- [Sophia Kishkovsky](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/sophia-kishkovsky/) - Sophia Kishkovsky is a journalist at The Art Newspaper. She has written for publications including The New York Times, ARTNews, Newsday, and more. Ms. Kishkovsky studied Russian and Soviet history and literature at Yale. She was born in San Francisco.
- [Eileen Kinsella](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/eileen-kinsella/) - Eileen Kinsella is an advisor and journalist at ArtNet News. See her latest work here.
- [Stephanie Drawdy](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/stephanie-drawdy/) - Stephanie Drawdy is an American artist, attorney, educator and host of Warfare of Art and Law podcast. After graduating from New York Law School, she served on the New York City Bar Association’s Art Law Committee and received a diploma in Art Profession Law and Ethics from London’s Institute of Art and Law. Stephanie volunteers
- [Rakhel Milstein](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/rakhel-milstein/)
- [Sophie Balaÿ](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/sophie-balay/) - Originally trained as a lawyer, Sophie Balaÿ quickly directed her interest towards financial crime investigation, particularly international money laundering networks, the location and restitution of criminal proceeds, as well as financial crime relating to the environment and cultural heritage. Sophie coordinates a team of VIDOCQ analysts on major investigative and intelligence projects. Since joining VIDOCQ,
- [Kelly McKernan](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/kelly-mckernan/) - Kelly McKernan is an independent artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. They graduated with a B.F.A. in 2009 from Kennesaw State University in Georgia and have been a full time artist since 2012. Original watercolor and acrylic gouache paintings are created for galleries, private commissions, and their online store where fine art prints and other
- [Ellen J. Epstein](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/ellen-j-epstein/) - Ellen J. Epstein, Appraiser AARC Group
- [Erik J. Stapper](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/erik-j-stapper/) - Erik J. Stapper, Trustee, Emilio Sanchez Foundation; Senior Counsel, Davidson, Dawson & Clark LLP
- [Ann Koll](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/ann-koll/) - Ann Koll, artist and artist estate legacy advisor; Former Executive Director and Curator of the Emilio Sanchez Foundation
- [Olivia Taylor](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/olivia-taylor/) - Olivia Taylor CfAL Advisor; incoming Associate, Withers LLP
- [Hanoch Sheps](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/hanoch-sheps/) - Hanoch Sheps, CfAL Advisor; Associate, Mazzola Lindstrom LLP
- [L. Eden Burgess](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/l-eden-burgess/) - L. Eden BURGESS, Of Counsel, Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP
- [Yaél M. Weitz](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/yael-m-weitz/) - Yaél M. Weitz, Counsel, Kaye Spiegler PLLC
- [Sasha Stiles](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/sasha-stiles/) - Sasha Stiles, Poet, Artist, AI Researcher
- [Elena Zavelev, Co-Founder and CEO, CADAF](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/elena-zavelev-co-founder-and-ceo-cadaf/) - Elena Zavelev, Co-Founder and CEO, CADAF
- [Amy Lamberti](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/58270/) - More about Amy HERE.
- [Nancy E. Wolff](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/nancy-e-wolff/) - Nancy Wolff is a partner at the intellectual property, media and entertainment law firm of Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard, LLP located in New York, NY, and Beverly Hills, CA. She represents a wide range of creative individuals and companies in all areas of digital media, art law, licensing, and publishing and serves as counsel
- [David Stier](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/david-stier/) - David Stier is a litigator, trial attorney and strategic advisor with significant experience in the financial services industry, including fintech, cryptocurrency and digital assets, anti-money laundering and financial fraud investigations, and white collar matters. With nearly twenty years of experience in both government and private practice, David has a proven track record of successfully leading
- [Sandrine Giroud](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/sandrine-giroud/) - Sandrine Giroud specialises in domestic and international litigation, with a focus on commercial and financial disputes, fraud and asset recovery, white collar crime, mutual legal assistance in civil and criminal matters and international sanctions. She is an expert in art and cultural property law, trust law, as well as public international law and human rights.
- [Ron Lazebnik](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/ron-lazebnik/) - Ron Lazebnik primarily teaches the Samuelson-Glushko Intellectual Property and Information Law Clinic. He has assisted clinic students with a number of significant legal matters, including the filing of amicus briefs in important IP cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In 2012, under his leadership, the clinic became a part of
- [Amelia K. Brankov](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/amelia-k-brankov/) - Amelia K. Brankov focuses her practice on art law, intellectual property law, and litigation. As a well-rounded litigator, Ms. Brankov helps businesses and individuals in the creative sector resolve a wide range of dispute-resolution matters. Her practice includes advising on complex disputes involving breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, copyright infringement, and the
- [Jill Magid](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/jill-magid/) - American artist Jill Magid’s work is deeply ingrained in her lived experience, exploring and blurring the boundaries between art and life. Through her performance-based practice, Magid has initiated intimate relations with a number of organizations and structures of authority. She explores the emotional, philosophical, and legal tensions between the individual and ‘protective’ institutions, such as
- [Christopher J. Robinson](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/christopher-j-robinson/) - Chris practices art law and intellectual property law, in addition to serving clients requiring general commercial litigation. A former art dealer, he brings a practical knowledge of the art world to his practice of art law. His clients for both litigation and transactional matters include dealers, artists, art advisors, museums, auction houses, appraisers, art foundations,
- [Katherine Wilson-Milne](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/katherine-wilson-milne/) - Katie Wilson-Milne practices in the areas of litigation, art law, not-for-profit organizations, and intellectual property. In her litigation practice, Katie represents a broad range of clients in state and federal courts and also works on complex transnational litigations in foreign jurisdictions. She has had substantial trial and appellate level experience, including before the federal district
- [Karina Lytvynska](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/karina-lytvynska/)
- [Megan Noh](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/megan-noh/) - Megan E. Noh (USA) is the Associate General Counsel of Bonhams, one of the world’s largest international auction houses. Based in the New York office, Ms. Noh practices in a global hub for art transactions, and is uniquely poised to observe the numerous transactions conducted by Bonhams which require its specialists’ assistance with the authentication process, as well as the
- [Nicholas Eastaugh](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/nicholas-eastaugh/) - Nicholas Eastaugh (UK), Founder/Director, Art Analysis and Research Ltd., London, originally trained as a physicist before going on to study conservation and art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, where he completed a PhD in scientific analysis and documentary research of historical pigments in 1988. Since 1989 he has been a consultant in the scientific and art technological
- [Elizabeth Simpson](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/elizabeth-simpson/) - Elizabeth Simpson (USA) is a professor at the Bard Graduate Center in New York, NY; a consulting scholar at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia, PA; and director of the project to study and conserve the collection of wooden objects excavated from the royal tumulus burials at Gordion, Turkey.She will address the use and
- [Anne Laure Bandle](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/anne-laure-bandle/) - Anne Laure Bandle (CH) is guest lecturer at the LSE, director of the Art Law Foundation, and a trainee lawyer at the law firm Froriep in Geneva. She wrote a PhD in law on the misattribution of art at auction and more specifically on the sale of sleepers. She will discuss the creation of sleepers at auction by means
- [Robin Simon](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/robin-simon/) - Robin Simon (UK) is Editor of The British Art Journal and Honorary Professor of English, UCL. Recent books include Hogarth, France and British Art and (with Martin Postle) Richard Wilson and the Transformation of European Landscape Painting. He will report his discovery (in 1983) that many of the paintings depicting cricket in the MCC collection at Lord’s were fakes, most
- [Martin Eidelberg](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/martin-eidelberg/) - Martin Eidelberg (US), professor emeritus of art history at Rutgers University, will discuss the reliability and fallibility of provenance and scientific analysis of pictures in determining the authenticity of paintings. Using case histories that he has gathered from his research in preparing a catalogue raisonné of the paintings of Jean Antoine Watteau (1684-1721), he will consider whether such supposedly factual
- [Charles Hope](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/charles-hope/) - Charles Hope (UK) is a former Director of the Warburg Institute and will discuss the tension that exists between connoisseurship as a type of expertise acquired by long experience and as an activity based on the use of historical evidence and reasoned argument. Will claim that, in practice, these two aspects are often in contradiction to one another, and
- [Peter Cannon-Brookes](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/peter-cannon-brookes/) - Peter Cannon-Brookes (UK) turned from natural sciences to art history and has been active as a museum curator with strong interests in conservation and security. Connoisseurship has been undermined by the decay of museum-based pre-Modern Movement scholarship leading to the growing corruption of reference collections and of connoisseurship enhanced by the detailed study of them. Can the systems of stylistic
- [Brian Allen](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/brian-allen/) - Brian Allen (UK) is a former Director of Studies at the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and is now Chairman of the London Old Master dealers Hazlitt Ltd. He will speak about the gradual demise of connoisseurship in academic art history (especially in the UK) over the past three decades and will consider the effect of
- [Kasia Pisarek](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/kasia-pisarek/) - Kasia Pisarek (Poland/UK), an independent art historian and research specialist on attributions, took an MA Sorbonne and a PhD at the University of Warsaw. Her doctoral dissertation “Rubens and Connoisseurship ~ On the problems of attribution and rediscovery”, identified many recently fallen Rubens attributions. She will set out a number of interlocking aesthetic, art historical and technical arguments against the
- [Michel Favre-Felix](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/michel-favre-felix/) - Michel Favre-Felix (FR) is a painter, the president of ARIPA (association for the respect of the integrity of artistic heritage), the director of the review Nuances, and the 2009 recipient of the ArtWatch International Frank Mason Prize, will present two restoration cases, studied from the French Museums’ scientific files, illustrating how restorations fail by not heeding the testimony of historical
- [Segolene Bergeon-Langle](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/segolene-bergeon-langle/) - Segolene Bergeon-Langle (FR), France’s Honorary General Curator of Heritage, is both a scientist and an art historian. A former Head of Painting Conservation in the Louvre and the French National Museums, and a former Chair of the ICCROM Council (Rome), she is presently a member of the Louvre’s preservation and conservation committee. She will discuss various restoration cases showing how
- [Ann Pizzorusso](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/ann-pizzorusso/) - Ann Pizzorusso (US) is a professional geologist and a Renaissance scholar whose work focuses on Leonardo da Vinci as a geologist. She has written numerous scholarly articles on Leonardo and his students, and the artists who preceded and followed him, analyzing the use of geology in their works. Her landmark article, “Leonardo’s Geology: The Authenticity of The Virgin of the
- [Jacques Franck](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/jacques-franck/) - Jacques Franck (FR), an art historian and a painter trained in Old master techniques, is the Permanent Consulting Expert to the Armand Hammer Center for Leonardo Studies at UCLA, and an editorial consultant to Academia Leonardi Vinci. He was a curator/exhibitor in the Uffizi’s exhibition La mente di Leonardo (2006) and will draw on experiences as an adviser to the
- [Euphrosyne Doxiadis](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/euphrosyne-doxiadis/) - Euphrosyne Doxiadis (Greece), a painter/scholar whose 1996 book The Mysterious Fayum Portraits: Faces from Ancient Egypt won the won the Prix Bordin, the Prix d’ ouvrage by the Académie des Beaux-Arts, Institut de France, and, the 1997 “Prize of the Athens Academy”, will challenge the Rubens attribution given to the National Gallery’s oil on panel Samson and Delilah in the
- [Michael Daley](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/michael-daley/) - Michael Daley (UK), Director, ArtWatch UK, an artist who trained for twelve years (with post-graduate studies at the Royal Academy Schools) and taught in art schools for fifteen years before practicing as an illustrator (principally with the Financial Times, The Times Supplements, the Independent and, presently, Standpoint magazine), will suggest that the principles of sound connoisseurship
- [Lesley Rosenthal](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/lesley-rosenthal/) - Lesley Rosenthal is Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary of The Juilliard School and author of Good Counsel: Meeting the Legal Needs of Nonprofits (John Wiley & Sons 2012). Previously she served as EVP, General Counsel & Secretary of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. Rosenthal graduated from Harvard College and Harvard
- [Mohamed Khelifi (Hammadi Khlifi)](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/mohamed-khelifi-hammadi-khlifi/) - Mohamed Khelifi, (Hammadi Khlifi) is a law graduate and writer from Tunisia. He holds a degree from Penn State University and Carthage University. He worked in several human rights organizations in Tunisia and New York such as the World Federalist Movement/Institute for Global Policy, the World Organization Against Torture and I Watch Organization/Transparency International. Mohamed has
- [Sanjay Sethi](https://itsartlaw.org/speakers/sanjay-sethi-co-executive-director-artistic-freedom-initiative-founding-partner-sethi-mazaheri-llc/) - Sanjay Sethi serves as AFI’s Co-Executive Director, overseeing coordination of its advocacy programs and legal services. For the last 15 years, Mr. Sethi has dedicated his career to public service and international human rights. Mr. Sethi has an extensive background in non-profit management, earning a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of

## Testimonials

- [Juliette Groothaert](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/juliette-groothaert/) - Working as a remote legal intern based in the UK, I always felt fully integrated into the team. The Center empowered me to take on projects aligned with my interests, and I was able to contribute meaningfully to a range of initiatives within the field of art law. The entire team was wonderfully supportive, united
- [Kate Harrell](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/kate-harrell/) - Phenomenal organization working at the cutting edge of art law.
- [Lauren Stein](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/lauren-stein/) - I have followed the Center's work for years. It truly was a dream come true to work with Irina and Atreya for an entire year. I met incredible people, worked on amicus briefs, published articles, and worked on the Nazi-looted art database. As a law student pursuing a career in art law in New York,
- [Marina Rastorfer](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/marina-rastorfer/) - A metaphor seems apt to describe the experience I had working at the Center for Art Law as a Legal Intern - with the multitude of projects assigned and hats worn, my millinery wardrobe has become outfitted for most any occasion taking place in the art law field. Longterm relationships formed, tailored skills expanded, and
- [2025 Art Law Summer School Attendee](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/2025-art-law-summer-school-attendee/) - As a non-lawyer, and an arts professional who runs a museum, this was a wonderful chance to explore terms and concepts that are difficult to learn about without attending law school. Seeing the inside of the New York art market helped me explore the connections to law that impact my job. From contracts and auction
- [2025 Art Law Summer School Student](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/2025-art-law-summer-school-student/) - The Center for Art Law provided with me with a very unique and incredible opportunity to meet like minded individuals with similar passions to mine. The speakers and outings exposed me to areas of the art market I knew little about. I’m grateful I partook in this week long program and only wish it had
- [Art Law Summer School 2025](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/summer-program-program-attendee-2025/) - This was one of the most amazing learning experiences I have had the pleasure of participating in. There is definitely no better place to delve into Art Law than the heart of New York, and the Center’s varied approach of outings and guest speakers on fascinating topics kept me engaged the whole week.
- [Jennie Nadel](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/jennie-nadel/) - The Center has provided me with a chance to foster my budding enthusiasm for art, museums and the law. As an intern I get to dig deeper into topics that interest me by writing articles, attend numerous talks by art world and legal professionals, and meet so many people with careers that I aspire towards.
- [Patrick K. Lin](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/patrick-k-lin/) - During my fellowship, my experience organizing clinics and panels not only gave me the opportunity to explore art law topics I was particularly interested in but exposed me to a variety of topics and issues that are top of mind for artists, lawyers, scholars, and students alike. The Center for Art Law is a one-stop
- [Damla Karabay](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/damla-karabay/) - The Center for Art Law is a highly engaging and extremely fascinating place. As an intern, I had the invaluable opportunity to work alongside the most brilliant people and gain hands-on experience by shadowing clinics and assisting with events. One highlight for me was the first-ever Art Lawyering Workshop the Center held this summer, where
- [Briana Pierre](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/briana-pierre/) - My work at the Center continues to inspire me to pursue a legal career to better advocate for artists' rights and art preservation. Through the Center, I have connected with art legal professionals willing to educate and share their experience about art law. My internship experience provided invaluable hands-on experience with the art and law
- [Morgan Austrich](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/morgan-austrich/) - Interning at Center for Art Law has greatly increased my knowledge of the intersection between the arts and legal fields. Whether it be writing articles about current art law issues, adding cases to a database of Nazi-looted art, or planning events with prominent professionals in the field, this internship is an incredible learning opportunity for
- [Cynthia Li](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/cynthia-li/) - My 2023 Spring was well spent with the Center, despite remotely. I enjoyed the Friday mornings when all of the interns and supervisors convened to share about our week and, of course, art law! Surrounded by a group of like-minded people with different experience is fascinating for someone who wants to find an art law
- [Emily Finch](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/emily-finch/) - My work with the Center has exposed me to legal experts across the United States and the globe, and has encouraged me to broaden my scope of postgraduate experiences (educational and practical) that will allow me to advance my knowledge and refine my skills so that I can better work towards my dream career in
- [Irina Strelkovskaya](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/irina-strelkovskaya/) - During my time in law school, I had a desire to learn more about the art law field. I started searching for information regarding different courses and programs. Thanks to the Center's website I found information about a Master in Art Law at Luiss University. I applied and got a full scholarship. The program [at Carli]
- [Alexis Redshaw](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/alexis-redshaw/) - I had a great experience interning with the Center for Art Law. I not only helped with the Center’s projects but gained valuable skills around writing, researching and networking that I know will benefit me in my future career. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in the field of art law!
- [Jana S. Farmer](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/jana-s-farmer/) - The Center for Art Law is one of the best resources in the art law industry for the in-depth analysis of significant developments, review of books/publications and informative presentations. The Center’s written content is top-quality, well-researched, informative, relevant and timely. Besides the written materials, the Center and its founder, Irina Tarsis, are known to put
- [Poppy Kemp](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/poppy-kemp/) - “I absolutely loved my fellowship at the Center for Art Law – amazing people, brilliant opportunities. An experience I won’t forget!”
- [Nikki Vafai](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/nikki-vafai/) - Interning at the Center for Art Law this fall has been an extremely fruitful experience and I enjoyed every aspect of it. Irina and the rest of the team were lovely to work with and very committed to making the experience a valuable one for us. Throughout the internship, we had opportunities to explore our
- [Marla Katz](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/marla-katz/) - As a Legal Intern, I quickly realized that the Center prioritizes serious research, writing, and active participation in the art law world. The Center has given me great opportunities to develop a future career in art law.
- [Lucy Siegel](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/lucy-siegel/) - My time at the Center helped me develop a passion for art law and determination to become an art lawyer. I practiced valuable legal research and writing skills while writing my article and learned so much that I am now planning to go to law school after graduating from college.
- [Mia Guttmann](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/mia-guttmann/) - Art law is such a vast and diverse area of law and in one semester I was able to learn so much working at the Center for Art Law.
- [Jana Farmer](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/jana-farmer/) - The Center for Art Law is one of the best resources in the art law industry for the in-depth analysis of significant developments, review of books/publications and informative presentations. The Center’s written content is top-quality, well-researched, informative, relevant and timely. The Center and its founder, Irina Tarsis, are known to put together excellent educational seminars
- [Laurel Salisbury](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/jennie-nadel-2/) - It has been my pleasure to work at the Center for Art Law with like-minded students, meeting fascinating and accomplished artists and attorneys.
- [Timothy Chung](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/timothy-chung/) - Through my internship, I have met with a great many attorneys who have generously provided me with nuggets of wisdom and advice to guide my aspirations of becoming an art lawyer.
- [Amber Lee](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/amber-lee/) - I would have never imagined that I could still have a meaningful summer during Covid-19, so I am immensely grateful for the opportunity that was given to me by the Center to learn more about art law and the intricacies of the art world.
- [Visala Alagappan](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/visala-alagappan/) - I’m so grateful for my experience working as a legal intern this summer at the Center for Art Law. Whether conducting legal research, preparing reading materials for events, or working on the Center’s online art law resources, my assignments were educational, thought-provoking, and fun! In particular I enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of this experience. One
- [Renato Danese](https://itsartlaw.org/testimonials/renato-danese/) - The Center for Art Law furthers a very important mission, because the art world is suffering from little transparency at the moment. Artists, galleries, and museums may be tainted with criminal activities, and the Center keeps people aware of what is happening.

## Volunteers

- [Olivia Taylor](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/olivia-taylor/)
- [Carol Steinberg](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/carol-steinberg/)
- [Lindsay Korotkin](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/lindsay-korotkin/)
- [Billy Trabaudo](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/billy-trabaudo/)
- [Nate Kleinman](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/nate-kleinman/)
- [Juyoun Han](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/juyoun-han/)
- [Giselle Ayala](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/giselle-ayala/)
- [Morgan Theodore](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/morgan-theodore/)
- [Charles T Rosoff, ASA, MRICS](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/charles-t-rosoff/) - CHARLES T. ROSOFF, ASA, MRICS President Mr. Rosoff is the president of Appraisal Services Associates, a firm of appraisers that provide forensic valuations of Fine Art, Antiques, Decorative Arts, Residential and Office contents. He has been appraising since 1984, is an Accredited Senior Appraiser designated by the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), and is a
- [Sharon Brenner](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/sharon-brenner/)
- [Tafiya Khan](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/tafiya-khan/)
- [Kimberly Xavier](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/kimberly-xavier/)
- [Nadia Zaidi](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/nadia-zaidi/)
- [Antonios Baris](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/antonios-baris/)
- [Trace Brooks](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/trace-brooks/)
- [Clarissa Rodriguez](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/clarissa-rodriguez/)
- [Peter Caruso](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/peter-caruso/)
- [Z Hall](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/z-hall/)
- [Ashley Farrell](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/ashley-farrell/)
- [Dimitrakos Dimitrios](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/dimitrakos-dimitrios/)
- [Christiana Milis](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/christiana-milis/)
- [Lily Yu](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/lily-yu/)
- [Sammetria Goodson](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/sammetria-goodson/)
- [Hilarie Faberman](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/hilarie-faberman/)
- [Amie Potsic](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/amie-potsic/)
- [Susan McDonough](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/susan-mcdonough/)
- [Leah Hokenson](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/leah-hokenson/)
- [Ariana Sarfarazi](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/ariana-sarfarazi/)
- [Pamela Rhodes](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/pamela-rhodes/)
- [Mark Alexander](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/mark-alexander/)
- [Elyse Schajer](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/elyse-schajer/)
- [John Kiely](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/john-kiely/)
- [Elizabeth Von Habsburg](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/elizabeth-von-habsburg/)
- [Wendy Dickieson](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/wendy-dickieson/)
- [David J. Breyer](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/david-j-breyer/)
- [Mitchell Raab](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/mitchell-raab/)
- [Caitlin Lee Dempsey](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/caitlin-lee-dempsey/)
- [Lauren Toccalino](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/lauren-toccalino/)
- [Anne-Laure Alléhaut](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/anne-laure-allehaut/)
- [Catlan McCurdy](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/catlan-mccurdy/)
- [Michael Lehach](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/michael-lehach/) - Michael is a founding partner of the law office of Lehach Filippa. Michael has spent over a decade committed to reuniting families and helping clients to pursue opportunities to live and work in the United States. Since 2004, he has been advocating and litigating for clients on almost every type of immigration issue including complex
- [Cynthia Pearson](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/cynthia-pearson/)
- [Irina Tarsis](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/irina-tarsis/)
- [David J. Bright](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/david-j-bright/) - Dave earned his BS in 1992 from the University of Iowa and his JD in 2001 from the University of Iowa College of Law. While in law school, Dave was hired by Professor Sandy Boyd as a Research Assistant to help with the formation of the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center. He and
- [Galina Portnoy, CPA](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/galina-portnoy/)
- [Ashley Burke](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/ashley-burke/)
- [Amanda Nelson](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/amanda-nelson/)
- [Elizabeth Devolder](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/elizabeth-devolder/)
- [Christopher Wise](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/christopher-wise/)
- [Leslie Calero](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/leslie-calero/)
- [Michael Cataliotti](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/michael-cataliotti/)
- [Alejandro Filippa](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/alejandro-filippa/)
- [Teresa Woods Peña](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/teresa-woods-pena/) - Teresa Woods Peña is an immigration attorney whose work focuses on Artist Visas and Green Cards. For the past twenty years, she has zealously advocated for clients seeking to remain in the United States in their applications with USCIS. She has also appeared in immigration court on behalf of clients in removal proceedings and successfully
- [Betina Schlossberg](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/betina-schlossberg/)
- [Cielomar Puccio](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/cielomar-puccio/) - Cielomar Puccio is a bar licensed attorney in Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. She has a Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law and a Bachelors of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations also from the University of Puerto Rico. She has more than 10 years of experience in law. Mrs.
- [Rebecca Lenetsky](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/rebecca-lenetsky/)
- [Michelle Baguiao](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/michelle-baguiao/)
- [Rakhel S. Milstein](https://itsartlaw.org/volunteers/rakhel-s-milstein/) - Rakhel is the founder of Milstein Law Group, a boutique immigration law firm located in downtown NYC. She has been practicing immigration law for over two decades, focusing on “extraordinary ability” visas and green cards. While she also handles all types of immigration matters, including standard work visas/green cards and family based cases, she has

## Categories

- [Art law](https://itsartlaw.org/category/art-law/)
- [Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/category/cultural-heritage/)
- [Opinion](https://itsartlaw.org/category/opinion/)
- [Case Review](https://itsartlaw.org/category/case-review/)
- [Spotlight](https://itsartlaw.org/category/spotlight/)
- [Wish You Were Here](https://itsartlaw.org/category/wish-you-were-here/)
- [Book Review](https://itsartlaw.org/category/book-review/)
- [Artist Feature Series](https://itsartlaw.org/category/art-lawartartist-feature-series/)
- [Art History](https://itsartlaw.org/category/art-history/)
- [Interview](https://itsartlaw.org/category/interview/)
- [Legal Issues in Museum Administration](https://itsartlaw.org/category/legal-issues-in-museum-administration/)
- [Art Law History](https://itsartlaw.org/category/art-law-history/)
- [Digital Art](https://itsartlaw.org/category/digital-art/)
- [AL Clippings](https://itsartlaw.org/category/al-clippings/)
- [Film Review](https://itsartlaw.org/category/film-review/)

## Tags

- [Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art_law/)
- [Case Review](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/case-review/)
- [Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/cultural-heritage/)
- [Interview](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/interview/)
- [copyright](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/copyright/)
- [case law](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/case-law/)
- [artist dealer relations](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/artist-dealer-relations/)
- [legislative history](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/legislative-history/)
- [event review](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/event-review/)
- [exhibition](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/exhibition/)
- [Italy](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/italy/)
- [looting](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/looting/)
- [Nazi-era looted art](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/nazi-era-looted-art/)
- [monuments men](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/monuments-men/)
- [digital art](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/digital-art/)
- [Benin Bronzes](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/benin-bronzes/)
- [bankruptcy](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/bankruptcy/)
- [AI](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/ai/)
- [public art](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/public-art/)
- [museums](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/museums/)
- [censorship](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/censorship/)
- [NFT](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/nft/)
- [Litigation](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/litigation/)
- [T&E](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/te/)
- [authenticity and AI](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/authenticity-and-ai/)
- [Museum issues](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/museum-issues/)
- [restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/restitution/)
- [Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-market/)
- [Activism](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/activism/)
- [Banksy](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/banksy/)
- [street art](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/street-art/)
- [authenticity](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/authenticity/)
- [FSIA](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/fsia/)
- [adr](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/adr/)
- [art market regulations](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-market-regulations/)
- [Estate Planning for Artists](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/estate-planning-for-artists/)
- [AI and copyright](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/ai-and-copyright/)
- [fakes and forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/fakes-and-forgeries/)
- [estate dispute](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/estate-dispute/)
- [IP](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/ip/)
- [film](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/film/)
- [Belize](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/belize/)
- [Mayan Pyramid](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/mayan-pyramid/)
- [Armenian cultural heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/armenian-cultural-heritage/)
- [nazi-looted art](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/nazi-looted-art/)
- [looted art litigation](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/looted-art-litigation/)
- [forum shopping](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/forum-shopping/)
- [forum selection](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/forum-selection/)
- [fair use](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/fair-use/)
- [Seltzer v. Green Day](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/seltzer-v-green-day/)
- [NAGPRA](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/nagpra/)
- [podcast](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/podcast/)
- [art in brief](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-in-brief/)
- [Japan](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/japan/)
- [UK copyright law](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/uk-copyright-law/)
- [artist-dealer relationships](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/artist-dealer-relationships/)
- [Cultural Property Advisory Committee](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/cultural-property-advisory-committee/)
- [estate planning](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/estate-planning/)
- [Japanese Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/japanese-art-market/)
- [Intellectual Property](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/intellectual-property/)
- [counterfeit goods](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/counterfeit-goods/)
- [export and import law](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/export-and-import-law/)
- [art authenticity](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-authenticity/)
- [Statute of Limitations](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/statute-of-limitations/)
- [Discovery Rule](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/discovery-rule/)
- [artwork provenance](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/artwork-provenance/)
- [Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/foreign-sovereign-immunities-act/)
- [art restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-restitution/)
- [copyright law](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/copyright-law/)
- [art litigation](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-litigation/)
- [art insurance](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-insurance/)
- [appraisal](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/appraisal/)
- [divorce](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/divorce/)
- [VARA](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/vara/)
- [distribution of assets](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/distribution-of-assets/)
- [theater](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/theater/)
- [commentary](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/commentary/)
- [Resources](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/resources/)
- [deaccessioning](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/deaccessioning/)
- [Tariffs and international art market](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/tariffs-and-international-art-market/)
- [Rare Book Crimes](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/rare-book-crimes/)
- [See Art Think Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/see-art-think-art-law/)
- [international art fairs](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/international-art-fairs/)
- [cultural property protection](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/cultural-property-protection/)
- [Museum heist](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/museum-heist/)
- [Louvre](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/louvre/)
- [Biography](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/biography/)
- [art on loan](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/art-on-loan/)
- [licensing](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/licensing/)
- [bootcamp](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/bootcamp/)
- [Canada](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/canada/)
- [resale royalty](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/resale-royalty/)
- [NEA](https://itsartlaw.org/tag/nea/)

## Positions

- [President](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=president)
- [Secretary](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=secretary)
- [Morrison Cohen LLP](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=morrison-cohen-llp)
- [The Art of the Appraisal](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=the-art-of-the-appraisal)
- [Artnet Worldwide](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=artnet-worldwide)
- [Scientific Analysis of Fine Art](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=scientific-analysis-of-fine-art)
- [Grossman LLP](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=grossman-llp)
- [Pryor Cashman LLP](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=pryor-cashman)
- [Director](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=director)
- [Saint Louis University](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=saint-louis-university)
- [Steptoe](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=steptoe)
- [ArentFox Schiff](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=arentfox-schiff)
- [CDAS LLP](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=cdas-llp)
- [Weissman Law PLLC](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=weissman-law-pllc)
- [Freedman Normand Friedland LLP](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=freedman-normand-friedland-llp)
- [Student Member](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=student-member)
- [Stropheus Art Law LLC](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=stropheus-art-law-llc)
- [Founder and Treasurer](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=founder-and-treasurer)
- [US Bank](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=us-bank)
- [American Express](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=american-express)
- [Offit Kurman](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=positions&term=offit-kurman)

## Boards

- [Board of Directors](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=boards&term=directors) - 1
- [Advisory Board](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=boards&term=advisory) - 2
- [Emerity](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=boards&term=emerity) - 4

## Team

- [Supporting Staff](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=team&term=supporting-staff)
- [Interns](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=team&term=interns)

## Types

- [Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=clinic)
- [Programming](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=programming)
- [Past](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=past)
- [fakes and forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=fakes-and-forgeries)
- [Copyright](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=copyright)
- [Some Like it Digital](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=some-like-it-digital)
- [Art Law Mixer](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=art-law-mixer)
- [Street Art](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=street-art)
- [You've Been Served](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=youve-been-served)
- [Immigration Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=immigration-clinic)
- [Artist-Dealer Relations](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=artist-dealer-relations)
- [Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=legacy-estate-planning-clinic)
- [Nazi-era Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=nazi-era-looted-art)
- [Colloquium](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=colloquium)
- [Art & Copyright Law Clinic](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=art-copyright-law-clinic)
- [Bootcamp](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=bootcamp)
- [Workshop](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=workshop)
- [AML and the Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=aml-and-the-art-market)
- [Showcase](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=showcase)
- [Special Tour](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=types&term=special-tour)

## Classes

- [Special](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=classes&term=special)

## Kinds

- [Publications](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=kinds&term=publications)
- [Reviews](https://itsartlaw.org/?taxonomy=kinds&term=reviews)

## Geography

- [USA](https://itsartlaw.org/geography/usa/)
- [International](https://itsartlaw.org/geography/international/)
- [UK](https://itsartlaw.org/geography/uk/)

## State

- [Arizona](https://itsartlaw.org/state/arizona/)
- [Arkansas](https://itsartlaw.org/state/arkansas/)
- [California](https://itsartlaw.org/state/california/)
- [Connecticut](https://itsartlaw.org/state/connecticut/)
- [Delaware](https://itsartlaw.org/state/delaware/)
- [Dist. of Columbia](https://itsartlaw.org/state/dist-of-columbia/)
- [Florida](https://itsartlaw.org/state/florida/)
- [Georgia](https://itsartlaw.org/state/georgia/)
- [Idaho](https://itsartlaw.org/state/idaho/)
- [Indiana](https://itsartlaw.org/state/indiana/)
- [Iowa](https://itsartlaw.org/state/iowa/)
- [Maine](https://itsartlaw.org/state/maine/)
- [Massachusetts](https://itsartlaw.org/state/massachusetts/)
- [Michigan](https://itsartlaw.org/state/michigan/)
- [Minnesota](https://itsartlaw.org/state/minnesota/)
- [Missouri](https://itsartlaw.org/state/missouri/)
- [New Jersey](https://itsartlaw.org/state/new-jersey/)
- [New York](https://itsartlaw.org/state/new-york/)
- [North Carolina](https://itsartlaw.org/state/north-carolina/)
- [Ohio](https://itsartlaw.org/state/ohio/)
- [Pennsylvania](https://itsartlaw.org/state/pennsylvania/)
- [Texas](https://itsartlaw.org/state/texas/)
- [Utah](https://itsartlaw.org/state/utah/)
- [Virginia](https://itsartlaw.org/state/virginia/)
- [Washington](https://itsartlaw.org/state/washington/)
- [Ca. Appellate](https://itsartlaw.org/state/ca-appellate/)
- [N.Y. Trial](https://itsartlaw.org/state/n-y-trial/)
- [N.Y. Appellate](https://itsartlaw.org/state/n-y-appellate/)

## Federal

- [Supreme Court](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/supreme-court/)
- [Court of Federal Claims](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/court-of-claims/)
- [Customs Court](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/customs-court/)
- [Tax Court](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/tax-court/)
- [1st Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/1st-circuit/)
- [2nd Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/2nd-circuit/)
- [3rd Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/3rd-circuit/)
- [4th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/4th-circuit/)
- [5th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/5th-circuit/)
- [6th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/6th-circuit/)
- [7th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/7th-circuit/)
- [8th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/8th-circuit/)
- [9th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/9th-circuit/)
- [10th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/10th-circuit/)
- [11th Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/11th-circuit/)
- [S.D.N.Y.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/s-d-n-y/)
- [D. Nev.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-nevada/)
- [D.D.C.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-c-district/) - United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- [D.C. Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-c-circuit/) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (USCADC)
- [Federal Circuit](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/federal-circuit/)
- [S.D. Fla.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/s-d-fla/)
- [C.D. Cal.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/c-d-cal/)
- [E.D. Pa.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/e-d-pa/)
- [D. Colo.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-colo/)
- [D.P.R.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-p-r/)
- [N.D. Ill.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/n-d-ill/)
- [S.D. Ill.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/s-d-ill/)
- [W.D. Wash.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/w-d-wash/)
- [E.D. Mich.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/e-d-mich/)
- [D. Kan.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-kan/)
- [D. Ariz.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-ariz/)
- [W.D. Pa.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/w-d-pa/)
- [M.D. La.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/m-d-la/)
- [E.D.N.Y.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/e-d-n-y/)
- [D. Conn.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-conn/)
- [D. Utah](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-utah/)
- [N.D. Tex.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/n-d-text/)
- [E.D. La.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/e-d-la/)
- [D.R.I.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-r-i/)
- [D. Haw.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-haw/)
- [N.D.N.Y.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/n-d-n-y/)
- [D.N.M.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-n-m/)
- [N.D. Cal.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/n-d-cal/)
- [D. Mass.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-mass/)
- [S.D. Iowa](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/s-d-iowa/)
- [D. Del.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-del/)
- [N.D. Miss.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/n-d-miss/)
- [D. Minn.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-minn/)
- [D. Or.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-or/)
- [M.D. Fla.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/m-d-fla/)
- [D.N.J.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-n-j/)
- [D.S.C.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/d-s-c/)
- [E.D.N.C.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/e-d-n-c/)
- [W.D. Tax.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/w-d-tax/)
- [W.D.N.Y.](https://itsartlaw.org/federal/w-d-n-y/)

## Keywords

- [Copyright](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/copyright/)
- [Artist Rights](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/artist-rights/)
- [Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/cultural-heritage/)
- [Forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/forgeries/)
- [Art Theft](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/art-theft/)
- [Nonprofit Governance](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/nonprofit-governance/)
- [Authenticity](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/authenticity/)
- [Trademark](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/trademark/)
- [Fraud](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/fraud/)
- [Museum Issues](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/museum-issues/)
- [Restitution](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/restitution/)
- [Street Art](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/street-art/)
- [Breach of Contract](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/breach-of-contract/)
- [Appraisal](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/appraisal/)
- [Fair use](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/fair-use/)
- [Trust & Estates](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/trust-estates/)
- [Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/art-market/)
- [Art Auctions](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/art-auctions/)
- [Antiquities](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/antiquities/)
- [Nazi-Era Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/nazi-era-looted-art/)
- [VARA](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/vara/)
- [Import-Export](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/import-export/)
- [Free Speech](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/free-speech/)
- [NAGPRA](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/nagpra/)
- [Negligence](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/negligence/)
- [Statute of Limitations](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/statute-of-limitations/)
- [Soviet-era Looted Art](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/soviet-era-looted-art/)
- [FSIA](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/fsia/)
- [Right of Publicity](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/right-of-publicity/)
- [Insurance](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/insurance/)
- [Divorce](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/family-law/)
- [Taxation](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/taxation/)
- [Right of Privacy](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/right-of-privacy/)
- [Establishment Clause](https://itsartlaw.org/keywords/establishment-clause/)

## Category

- [Art and Visual Culture](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/art-and-visual-culture/)
- [Museums](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/museums/)
- [General Art Law](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/general-art-law/)
- [Cultural Heritage](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/cultural-heritage/)
- [Provenance Research](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/provenance-research/)
- [Biography](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/biography/)
- [AI and Copyright](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/ai/)
- [Nazi-era looted art](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/nazi-era-looted-art/)
- [Fiction](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/fiction/)
- [Estate Planning](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/estate-planning/)
- [Autobiography](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/autobiography/)
- [Art Market](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/art-market/)
- [Adult Fiction](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/adult-fiction/)
- [Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/fakes-frauds-and-forgeries/)
- [Censorship](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/censorship/)
- [NFTs and Crypto Art](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/nfts-and-crypto-art/)
- [Politics and Protest](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/protest-and-politics/)
- [Art Auctions](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/art-auctions/)
- [Authenticity](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/authenticity/)
- [Art Theft](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/art-theft/)
- [Money Laundering](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/money-laundering/)
- [Appraisals](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/appraisals/)
- [Street Art](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/public-art/)
- [Artist's Rights](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/artists-rights/)
- [NAGPRA](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-category/nagpra/)

## Type

- [Books](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-type/books/)
- [Journals](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-type/journals/)
- [Movies and TV Series](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-type/movies/)
- [Podcasts](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-type/podcasts/)
- [Blogs](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-type/blogs/)
- [Databases](https://itsartlaw.org/publications-type/databases/)