Copyrights & Contracts for Artists and Creative Professionals

SPECIAL NOTE: Entrance next to Peet’s coffee on NW Couch St.

Presenter: Peter Vaughan Shaver, Esq.

Copyrights Workshop - April 10, 2010 9:30AM - 12:30PM

This interactive workshop will focus on copyrights, providing practical information on various legal topics related to the protection of artwork and creative service work products. All artists and creative professionals are encouraged to attend: painters, sculptors, photographers, print makers, designers, cartoonists, animators, craftspeople, writers, publishers, and others.

This workshop will provide a clear and comprehensive overview of what copyrights are and how to obtain them. Topics will include the most important concepts that every creative person should know, including how to register various types of creative work with the Copyright Office, fair use rights, copyright infringement, and the public domain. We will also discuss the intersection of copyright law with trademark, patent and trade secret law.

Contracts Workshop - April 17, 2010 9:30AM - 12:30PM

The discussion of art business contracts will focus on the Oregon Artwork Consignment law, collaboration agreements, licensing and sales agreements, creative services agreements, commission deals, and agent representation agreements. Many creative service providers get into legal trouble due to working with clients without proper contracts. Minimizing legal risk and customer conflicts is easier once you understand the basic terms found in these types of contracts. This workshop will focus on both understanding contracts that you are presented by others as well as creating your own agreements.

We will discuss some basic terms and steps that will enable you to avoid conflicts with clients by creating workable, plain-English contracts. Having a clear and well-written contract is essential in conveying an impression of professionalism to your customers. A well-crafted, “user friendly” agreement will protect your own legal interests, while setting a professional tone at the start of your working relationship. Contracts to be discussed will include: Employment agreements (independent contractors, employment and work-for-hire); Oregon consignment agreements, Model releases, Agency Agreements, Licensing and commission contracts.

* Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management is a place where students, teachers and executives come together to share experiences, examine current business issues and develop innovative and creative thinking. Programs include an evening MBA for Professionals (in Salem and Portland, Oregon), full-time MBA for Career Change and Early Career MBA programs (in Salem, Oregon) and non-degree Executive Education programs. The Willamette University MBA is accredited by AACSB International and is committed to preparing graduates to serve business, government and not-for-profit organizations.