California Lawyers for the Arts Events and Workshops

Accounting Management For Artists and Small Arts Businesses (Monday, May 21, 2012)

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

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Accounting Management For Artists and Small Arts Businesses
With Cristina Lopez

This workshop is an accounting class that will explain terms and processes for the business management of artists and small arts organizations. The class will include Accounting Theory and the Bookkeeping process. The artist will leave with the skills to manage their business books and make sure that their business is profitable. This workshop will give artists and arts organizations business tools to help them manage and grow their business.

Cristina Lopez is the Chief Executive Officer of Lopez Iwata and Associates, a Financial Accounting and Bookkeeping firm focused on helping small businesses grow and become sustainable. Cristina has taught bookkeeping classes for the Small Business Development Center and works with a variety of artistic clientele from Performance Artists to Fine Artists.

The workshop is being presented as part of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission's Where's The Money Symposium.

Estate Planning for Creative Artists & Collectors (Wednesday, May 23, 2012)

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Estate Planning for Creative Artists & Collectors

With Joel Harris, Esq.

Learn everything you need to know about how to protect your creative arts in wills, trusts, and other estate planning instrument -- as well as effective tax strategies in estate planning.

Should you have a will?
Should you have a trust?
Should you appoint a creative arts executor to manage the estate that consists of your works of art?
Are your copyrights being properly protected over time?
How do you make sure your copyrights are inherited properly?
Etc.

JOEL HARRIS, Esq. represents many creative arts clients. He earned his law degree from Santa Clara University, School of Law. He subsequently completed his MBA at Santa Clara University, Leavey School of Business, in 1990. Mr. Harris is the owner of the Law Offices of Joel A. Harris where he has practiced in the fields of Estate Planning, Probate, and trusts for over 20 years.

Mr. Harris has been certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California and is a member of the State Bar of California, American Bar Association, Contra Costa County Bar Association, the Diablo Estate Planning Council, and other professional organizations.

Joel Harris grew up in the bay area and currently lives in Clayton (a small town near Walnut Creek) with his wife Christine, 19 year old son Andrew, who is a batboy for the San Francisco Giants, 15 year old daughter Amy, and 13 year old ward Carter. In addition to his main office in Antioch, Joel has offices in Walnut Creek, San Francisco and Burlingame.

SAVE $5 -- Register and Pay Online:

$10 for CLA Members

$20 for Non-Members

$5 for C.L.A. Student Members & C.L.A. Senior Members

ADD $5 for registration and payment "at-the-door"

LOCATION: Ft. Mason Center, Bldg. C, Room 360

San Francisco, CA 94123

Starting a Nonprofit Arts Organization (Wednesday, May 23, 2012)

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:30:00 GMT

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Starting a Nonprofit Arts Organization

with Adrienne Newsom, Esq.

We will discuss the key components to establishing a strong nonprofit, including how to incorporate as a California nonprofit, how to select and appoint the initial officers and directors, and how to apply for a taxpayer ID number. Participants will learn practical tips, and some pitfalls to avoid, in applying to the IRS for tax exempt status. Finally, participants will learn what is needed to comply with state and federal regulations to keep the nonprofit in good standing.

Adrienne N. Newsom has over seventeen years of experience counseling charitable and religious organizations. Adrienne assists her clients on a full range of issues, including formation and tax-exempt status, governance, personnel issues, executive compensation, intellectual property, risk management, and charitable giving. Adrienne reviews and creates personnel policies and handbooks to ensure legal compliance, to increase productivity and to minimize exposure. Adrienne graduated from Tufts University and UCLA School of Law, and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1993.

These workshops are made possible, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the California Community Foundation. Additional support provided by the California Arts Council.

LIVE WEBINAR! Copyright: A Basic Introduction (Tuesday, May 29, 2012)

Tue, 29 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

LIVE WEBINAR!

COPYRIGHT: A Basic Introduction

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT

Click here to register for this webinar

CLA MEMBERS SAVE 50%

Join CLA Now & Save!

For the CLA Member Discount, enter the "Member-Only Coupon Code" in the payment step during registration.

The member-only coupon code is a tab located on the CLA home page -- visible only when you sign-in to the CLA website with your password.

If not already logged-in, CLA Members should log-in here to see the Member-Only Discount Coupon tab.

This LIVE WEBINAR is a basic introduction to copyright law for the creative arts community.

Topics include:

* What is copyright?
* What is -- and is not -- protected by copyright?
* Who can claim copyright?
* How long does copyright last?
* How is copyright protected?
* What can you do if someone violates your copyright?
* And much more...!

Send your QUESTIONS in advance for the Q&A session to: ncalegal@calawyersforthearts.org (Include "Copyright Webinar" in the subject line of your email message)

Instructor:
Bob Pimm - Chief Learning Officer and Director of Legal Services, California Lawyers for the Arts

Great Artists Steal: How to Lawfully Copy Third-Party Media Into Your Work (Wednesday, May 30, 2012)

Wed, 30 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Great Artists Steal: How to Lawfully Copy Third-Party Media Into Your Work

With Doug Robbins, Esq.

The thesis of this workshop is that there is an interesting intersection between the signs, symbols, and stories of myth and dream-consciousness, on the one hand, and the kind of material that may be lawfully used and copied under a panoply of copyright exceptions, on the other hand.

For example, copyright may not imbue in facts, nor ideas. Copyright may not be enforced in any material in the public domain -- undefined itself -- a huge realm that includes media created by the government, work for which the copyright was never properly renewed, and work created prior to 1923.

And the most powerful and complicated exception of all, fair use, allows for the copying and exploitation of others' media, for purposes of artistic commentary, critique, parody, and satire.

When skillfully implemented, these tools and others help the content creator to lawfully ("steal") borrow and build on some of the most penetrating messages, most powerful symbols, and most enduring stories offered by the worlds' artists and mystics.

DOUGLAS ROBBINS is the Chair of the O'Leary Wood and Robbins' Media Law Group, serving clients involved in producing, acquiring, licensing, and managing audio-visual media. Robbins helps content-creators and distributors through the intellectual-property landmines involved in protecting their art, producing films, and making music. Robbins is himself a filmmaker, having produced the DEBATE TEAM documentary in association with the San Francisco Film Society and KQED Public Television.

SAVE $5 -- Register and Pay Online:

$10 for CLA Members

$20 for Non-Members

$5 for C.L.A. Student Members & C.L.A. Senior Members

ADD $5 for registration and payment "at-the-door"

LOCATION: Ft. Mason Center, Bldg. C, Room 360

San Francisco, CA 94123

4th Annual Literary Workshop (Tuesday, June 05, 2012)

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 15:00:00 GMT

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4th Annual Literary Workshop:

Book Publishing 101

This "Book Publishing 101" workshop covers the primary legal and business issues in modern book publishing. Learn what you need to know about mainstream publishing (and self-publishing) including current and emerging developments in e-book publishing. Valuable negotiating tips for effective contracts with each party in the book publishing chain will be discussed -- including self-publishing service companies.

Bob Pimm is Chief Learning Officer and Director of Legal Services at California Lawyers for the Arts. Bob has more than 30+ years experience in the book industry. His private law practice is focused on literary law representing authors, agents, and publishers. Bob is also the Book Publishing Chair of the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries. From 2002 until 2007 he served as Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, the Forum’s quarterly publication. Bob has authored books, chapters, and numerous articles on legal and business aspects of the book publishing industry.

Hosted by The Avid Reader www.avidreaderbooks.com

This program is made possible in part by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Cultural Arts Award, The County of Sacramento, our sponsors and members of California Lawyers for the Arts. The opinions expressed in any of our events and programs shall not be construed to represent the opinions and policies of California Lawyers for the Arts. California Lawyers for the Arts is a non-profit service organization that provides lawyer referrals, dispute resolution services, educational programs, publications and resource library to artists of all disciplines and arts organizations. New members welcome.

Crowd Funding for Independent Filmmakers (Saturday, June 09, 2012)

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 14:00:00 GMT

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Crowd Funding for Independent Filmmakers

with Akua Boyenne, Esq.

Crowd funding -- using the Internet to raise donations from the public -- has become an increasingly popular and accessible way to finance a film. The public may donate as little as a few dollars to as much as a few thousand dollars. Filmmakers can build an effective crowd funding campaign to reach out to a crowd of people for donations, using platforms like Kickstarter.com or Indiegogo.com to solicit donations from the public in exchange for rewards (e.g., memorabilia, DVDs, dinners, etc.). We will look at various websites that specialize in crowd funding, the importance of structuring a well-thought out campaign, and the impact of new laws on crowd funding. Finally, we will focus on key factors to building and maintain a crowd funding audience.

Akua Boyenne is a Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney specializing in music, film and television transactions. Her clients include award-winning and aspiring writers, directors, actors, producers and production companies that work in both the studio and independent systems. Akua and her staff of legal professionals also specialize in additional entertainment related areas of law including: corporate formation, trademark registration, copyright filing, music and finance transactions.

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Independent Films - (MCLE Available) - SPECIAL BAY AREA PRESENTATION! (Saturday, June 16, 2012)

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Risky Business: Financing and

Distributing Independent Films

with Mark Litwak, Esq.

This comprehensive seminar—for filmmakers, new attorneys, and attorneys transitioning to entertainment law—explores how independent films are financed and distributed.

Limited seating available -- RESERVE TODAY!

MCLE credit is available for this seminar!

Topics include:

Financing via pre-sales
Debt and equity investors
Negotiating tactics
Typical contract terms
Cross-collateralization
Crowd-funding
Creative accounting
Etc.

Particular attention will be paid to how producers and filmmakers can protect themselves by:

Investigating distributors
Watering down warranties
Adding contract provisions covering performance
Termination, and alternative dispute resolution
Getting errors and omissions (E&O) insurance
Using lab access letters and schedules of minimums

The Riddle of eGames: Funding v. Revenue - A Review of Distribution, Revenue and Freemium Options (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 22:00:00 GMT

The Riddle of eGames: Funding v. Revenue

A Review of Distribution, Revenue and Freemium Options

With Ned Hearn, Esq., Patrick J. Reilly, Michael Mount, and Graeme Devine

Limited seating available -- RESERVE TODAY!

Few art forms are as expensive to practice and require the degree of care in managing intellectual property issues as e-game development.

This seminar will start with a 15 minute investor pitch from a game industry veteran followed by a 45 minute analysis of the pitch from the viewpoint of a sophisticated investor.

The second hour of the event will offer specific advice from legal, operations and marketing panelists on laying the foundation for a viable, well budgeted and fundable game development proposal.

Emphasis will be placed on the breadth of intellectual property issues that must be considered, options in distribution channels and agreements, and tips on how to avoid the most common errors made early in the formation of a game venture or project.

Graeme Devine is a computer game designer and programmer who co-founded Trilobyte, created bestselling games The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour, and designed id Software's Quake III Arena. He was also Chairman of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) from 2002-2003. Devine founded GRL Games in Santa Cruz, California in 2010, focused on making games for the iPhone and iPad. GRL Games first application, Full Deck Hold'Em, was released in 2011. GRL Games' second title, Dance City, was announced on March 10, 2012

Ned Hearn’s principal office is in San Jose, California and his practice concentrates on intellectual property and business matters related to creative artists and media-based companies, with a focus on the entertainment, internet, and computer software businesses and their convergence, intersecting content, media, and technology in the digital internet environment, including: recording, production, and publishing; multi-media and internet web-based productions; computer, mobile, and internet based video games and their development, financing, and distribution; digital distribution and repurposing of content; licensing, distribution, and marketing of intellectual properties; copyright and trademark matters; merchandising; sponsorships; film, television, video productions; options, scoring and soundtracks; content syndications; literary publishing, including fiction and technical and professional non-fiction; clearances for use of intellectual property in all forms of media; talent services negotiating and contracting; strategic alliances; content catalog sales and purchases; business start-ups and development; private financing; and private mergers and acquisitions of content and media-based companies.

His clients include record labels, music publishers, book publishers, traditional and Internet-based media, production, technology, and content distribution companies; webcasting companies; recording artists, writers, producers, managers, authors, software designers, and multimedia product and video game and website developers.

Ned Co-Authored MUSICIAN’S GUIDE TO COPYRIGHT and THE MUSICIAN’S BUSINESS AND LEGAL GUIDE.

Ned was admitted to the bar, 1970, New Jersey; 1970, U.S. District Court of New Jersey; 1972, New York; 1973, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; 1976, California; 1976, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. He attended Rutgers University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1967; J.D., cum laude, 1970). He was Editor-in-Chief, Rutgers Law Journal. Ned was a Clerk, New Jersey Supreme Court, Justice Frederick Hall, 1970-1971. He was an Associate with Cleary, Gottleib, Steen and Hamilton, 1971-1974, an Associate with Fenwick & West, 1974-1978, a Partner with Harrison, Hearn & Berthold, 1978-1984, before starting his own practice, Law Offices of Edward R. Hearn, P.C. 1985-. He is a member of the State Bar of California (Intellectual Property Law Section), American Bar Association (Entertainment and Sports Forum), and has served on the Board of Directors of the California Lawyers for the Arts, 1976-; Member, Board of Directors (President): West Coast Songwriters Association, 1979-2007, and President Emeritus and Advisory Board, 2007-; and The Recording Academy, San Francisco Chapter, Board of Governors, 2009-.

Patrick Reilly, J.D. is the Founder of the Intellectual Property Society, Associate Publisher of the Personal Data Journal and a practicing intellectual property attorney. Patrick’s law practice encompasses patent prosecution, creative rights management, start-up formation issues, trademark prosecution, copyright protection and trade secret policy. His industry and technology experience includes eGames development and brand protection, mobile communications, entertainment technologies, and user interface design. Patrick has a special commitment to encourage civic engagement with the evolution of intellectual property law, personal data rights and Internet identity. He is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Russian Language Studies, and has earned a BS in Sociology from the State University of New York, a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toledo and a JD from Concord University. Patrick is a member of the U.S. Patent Bar and the California State Bar.

Michael Mount’s transactional practice is focused on copyright law, especially as it relates to both new and traditional media, digital technology, e-games, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Internet, the Cloud, PDA’s, wireless devices, digital rights management systems, digital reproduction, storage and distribution of copyright protected content, and university research agreements.

Media, Content and E-Commerce Licensing: Mr. Mount assists clients in negotiating and memorializing the full array of transactions that arise in the time between product development and the realization of a return on investment, including license agreements, rights acquisition and exploitation, content, character and story trademark licenses, development agreements, production agreements, talent contracts, entertainment unions and guild matters, merchandising, sponsorship, rights clearance, distribution agreements, publishing, advertising and public relations agreements.

Ancillary Exploitation of Content: Mr. Mount counsels clients with respect to secondary means of exploiting content and maximizing revenue streams; negotiating and drafting agreements related to print and digital publishing, film and television production, electronic games, merchandising, product placement, educational applications, and promotional campaigns and contests.

Software and Hardware Licensing: From start-ups to publicly traded corporations, Mr. Mount provides legal services across a broad spectrum, negotiating and drafting agreements related to intellectual property licensing and ownership, strategic alliances, joint development, third party technology suppliers, intellectual property asset management, independent contractor services, open source software issues, value-added resellers, original equipment manufacturers, and outsourcing agreements.

Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Mount spent almost 20 years as a television production executive in Los Angeles, primarily producing half-hour comedies for network television. His television credits include such well-known shows as All in the Family, Sanford, the Bob Hope Show, and Gimme a Break. In 1996, Mr. Mount served as Executive in Charge of Business Affairs for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta.

A U.C. Berkeley (Boalt Hall) alum, Mr. Mount has spoken on issues related to the law and the entertainment industry at the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology. He is a member of the California State Bar (Intellectual Property Law Section), the Copyright Society of the U.S.A. and the Directors Guild of America.

SAVE $5 -- Register and Pay Online:

$10 for CLA Members

$20 for Non-Members

$5 for C.L.A. Student Members & C.L.A. Senior Members

ADD $5 for registration and payment "at-the-door"

LOCATION: Ft. Mason Center, Bldg. C, Room 362

San Francisco, CA 94123

Legal Issues for Video Game Developers (Saturday, June 23, 2012)

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 14:00:00 GMT

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Legal Issues for Video Game Developers

with Jovan Johnson, Esq.

Join us for a discussion about games and the law. Topics will include:

Forming your team and setting expectations with your operating agreement
Securing copyright (when is your copyright created and who owns it?)
When is the right time to trademark your game title?
Privacy policies and their importance (some privacy policy generators are free, but can they get the job done?)
Terms of use (setting rules for your game and website)
Creating your own contracts (when is it appropriate and what needs to be included?)
Game publishers (advantages and disadvantages)
Marketing agencies (what you are paying for and what you should expect)
Choosing an attorney (factors to consider and questions to ask)

Jovan Johnson, a partner at Los Angeles-based entertainment law firm Johnson & Moo, focuses on the legal and business aspects of game development, digital distribution, and mobile apps. Jovan graduated from the University of Southern California and Southwestern University School of Law, and became a member of the State Bar of California in 2006.

LIVE WEBINAR! How to Register Your Music With the Copyright Office (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:00:00 GMT

LIVE WEBINAR!

How to Register Your Music With the Copyright Office
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT

Click here to register for this webinar

CLA MEMBERS SAVE 50%

Join CLA Now & Save!

For the CLA Member Discount, enter the "Member-Only Coupon Code" in the payment step during registration.

The member-only coupon code is a tab located on the CLA home page -- visible only when you sign-in to the CLA website with your password.

If not already logged-in, CLA Members should log-in here to see the Member-Only Discount Coupon tab.

This webinar will explain the basics of the registration process so that when completed, the attendee would be able to:

• Understand copyright, copyright ownership, and copyright registration

• Determine when and what to register

• Use the electronic application system (eCO)

• Register a group of songs with one application

• Register a song and a sound recording with one application

• Sort out song authorship

• Sort out song ownership

• Determine if it is necessary to form a music publishing company

• Determine what should be excluded from the claims on an application

Presenter: Rich Stim, Esq.

Rich Stim specializes in small business, copyright, patents, and trademark issues at Nolo. He practices law in the Bay Area and has represented photographers, software developers, crafts people, publishers, musicians, and toy designers. He is the author of many books, including Whoops I'm in Business, Music Law, and Profit From Your Idea. Stim produces audiobooks, and performs and records with two bands, MX-80 and angel corpus christi. Rich also writes two blogs for Nolo, What Price Justice, and Nolo™'s Patent, Copyright & Trademark Blog and provides information about trade secrets and nondisclosure agreements at NDAs For Free. He lives in San Francisco and has been without cable TV since 2006.

Send your QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE for the Q&A session to: ncalegal@calawyersforthearts.org (Include "Music Copyright Webinar" in the subject line of your email message)