Artists, songwriters, writers, photographers and others often have a hard time convincing the public that their creations are not free for anyone to use. Even when they sign a contract permitting the use of a work of art, the other party may take advantage of the...
Schwartz & Ponterio, PLLC holds lawyers responsible for legal malpractice.
Month: April 2019
Does your lawyer fail to communicate?
When you first contacted your lawyer, you felt like it was a good fit. They had experience with the type of case you wanted to start. They talked to you on the phone, set up an appointment and met you in person. They seemed kind and knowledgeable. You had a good...
Songwriter files $20M claim over copyright law
Artists often consider their work to be a part of themselves. When they create a song, a photograph or another kind of artistic piece, they generally want the ability to control how that art is made available for public consumption. The artistic community is thriving...
Songwriters want fair pay for intellectual property
When the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board recently announced its decision to raise the royalty rates record labels and digital services will pay to songwriters, many rejoiced. Songwriters in New York and elsewhere have arguably been a forgotten group of artists, and...
Does copyright law protect photos taken by paparazzi?
When most New York residents post pictures to social media, no legal issue arises. It makes sense that someone's picture of him or herself would not belong to another party. However, model Gigi Hadid recently became the subject of a lawsuit alleging that she violated...
Copyright: Protecting your product
You created a unique story, and you want to share it. However, you're worried that someone with more influence or marketing could take your work and make it out to be their own.For that reason, you sought a copyright. Months later, after your book was published and...