Blog Authors

Latest from Russell Law Blog

Have you ever convinced yourself that something is simple…just because you want it to be simple?
 
You’re not alone. In the context of applications for US copyright and trademark registration, people decide every day that do-it-yourself (DIY) is an acceptable option because, to their wishful eyes, “it’s just paperwork.”
 
Or maybe they think,

Let’s start with five fundamental concepts:
 

  • Copyright protects original expression.
  • To qualify for copyright protection, that original expression must be “fixed in a tangible medium.” (For example: painted on canvas; sculpted in stone; captured on film; written on paper.)
  • The tangible media (the canvas; the stone; the film; the paper) are, for estate planning
  • The other day I was learning about a fellow lawyer, by reviewing her website. Her trademark practice is similar to mine. The site was inviting. She has a sense of humor.
    “Nice,” thought I, “we should connect.”
    I was reviewing her website because she’d made a mistake in a matter before the Trademark Trial and

    You’re a visual artist. You sell a work for $1000. Over time the value appreciates. Your buyer re-sells the work for $50,000. You get nothing (except requests to speak about your work, for no money!)

    There is no law permitting artists to share in “resale royalties” when their works change hands. I discuss this in

    Many of us, sheltered in place, are using video and web-conferencing services such as Zoom. How fortunate we are, to have such tools at our disposal.
    While keeping physically healthy, here are three tips for staying legally healthy in your web-conferencing environment.

  • Don’t play music or display visual art in the background. The last
  • No such thing as a “normal” VARA case? Ha! Maybe not. But this one is taking place in Normal, Illinois.
    The Town of Normal wants to destroy a mural that appears on a building, to make way for development. The mural was created by 13 artists. In April, the 13 artists sued the Town and