In 2000, a photographer named Patrick Cariou came out with a book of photographs he took during the 6 years when he lived with the Rastafarians in Jamaica.

In 2007, Richard Prince, along with his dealer, Gagosian Gallery, began exhibiting a series of collages that featured 41 photographs from Cariou’s book. Cariou sued Prince and Gagosian for copyright infringement. Prince and Gagosian claimed fair use.

Fair use is a frequently used excuse to infringement. Basically, the fair use defense says this:

Even though I borrowed your copyrighted work, it was fair use, so it wasn’t infringement. (more…)

bryancavecharitylaw.com/accepting-gifts-should-you

www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Endowment+funds+flourish+in+France/21315

This exciting guide to IP entitled, Copyright: A Primer, was prepared by the Bryan Cave Intellectual Property Team. We hope it’s helpful.

Troy Klyber, lawyer at the Art Institute of Chicago, has written a terrific blog post about an odd (and sad) impact on artists who put a copyright notice on their work in the olden days as the law required. I sat on a speakers’ panel with Troy. He is one of the leading practical thinkers at the intersection of art and copyright.

We mourn the passing of our client and friend Jeanne-Claude, co-artist of The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005; Wrapped Reichstag Berlin, 1971-95; Surrounded Islands, Miami, Florida, 1980-83; and many other works of art and genius.

http://www.christojeanneclaude.net

Charles ("Teenie") Harris was a photographer in mid- 20th Century Pittsburgh, who chronicled life, big and small. His work was exceptional. Carnegie Museum owns the rights to all of Mr. Harris’ works. You can see their extraordinary collection here. We post a photo from the collection of Charles Harris here on our art law blog every Friday. We provide these with the permission of Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh. Let us know what you think.

A portrait of jazz singer/actress Lena Horne seated in an armchair, and surrounded by roses. Possibly taken in one of the back room of the Stanley Theatre.


Lena Horne at the Stanley Theatre, c. 1944

Charles ("Teenie") Harris was a photographer in mid- 20th Century Pittsburgh, who chronicled life, big and small. His work was exceptional. Carnegie Museum owns the rights to all of Mr. Harris’ works. You can see their extraordinary collection here. We post a photo from the collection of Charles Harris here on our art law blog every Friday. We provide these with the permission of Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh. Let us know what you think.

Members of the Nimrod Hunting Club with strung up deer.

Copyright 2006 Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh

Charles ("Teenie") Harris was a photographer in mid- 20th Century Pittsburgh, who chronicled life, big and small. His work was exceptional. Carnegie Museum owns the rights to all of Mr. Harris’ works. You can see their extraordinary collection here. For as long as we can, we will provide a Friday photo from the collection of Charles Harris here on our art law blog. We provide these with the permission of Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh. Let us know what you think.

@2006 Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh. Woman powdering her face before a mirror.

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You probably read that you can get a Masters in art crime (if not, you can read it here) Law school instructor and fellow art law blogger Derek Fincham wrote an excellent letter in response, estimating that:  

If we were to collect all of the stolen works of art into one museum, that museum of art theft would easily eclipse the Met or the Louvre or any of the World’s great museums. 

Alas, he NY Times didn’t publish it, but you can read his response and letter here.