Copyright Basics

Founded in 1969, VLA is the leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and its arts and cultural organizations (ACOs). VLA strives to protect the artistic community's livelihoods, businesses, and creative works through access to dedicated legal representation and focused innovative education programs. To achieve this mission, VLA:facilitates pro bono legal representation for low-income artists and ACOs;offers legal counseling, education programs, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution services to the entire arts community;trains lawyers to better serve the arts community; andadvocates on behalf of artists to ensure their voices are heard.VLA helps artists navigate legal challenges that can arise out of their work, providing crucial legal guidance that allows artists to focus on their creative practices. In doing so, VLA has fostered the careers of talented artists such as Twyla Tharp, Chapman Roberts, and Tony Kushner and advanced impactful New York organizations including BalletNext, the Caribbean Cultural Center, and Nuyorican Poets Café. Each year, VLA offers legal representation, education, and information to more than 10,000 low-income artists and ACOs and facilitates the contribution of more than $20 million in free legal services. The breadth and depth of high-quality services offered by VLA have made it the model for similar organizations across the country and around the world.

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Join VLA for an introduction to copyright law!
As a creator, it is important to be able to make a living from the hard work you devote to your original works of authorship.  You should have the right to control what others can and cannot do with your works, with a few exceptions. Often, however, the legal and business aspects of what to do with art before, during, and after it is created will depend on copyright law. 
In addition to providing an introduction to U.S. copyright law, this workshop will also focus on many types of licensing and the fair use defense. 
If you create, use, appropriate, produce, commission… then this workshop is for you.
This program will be taught by entertainment attorney Elissa Hecker. (See below for more on Elissa.) 
When: Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 5 - 6:30 PM
Where: VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
Fees: $25 Full-Time Student (student must present proof of full-time status with registration) $25 Artists Over Sixty $35 Arts Professional VLA Member $55 Arts Professional Non-Member $85 Legal Professional VLA Member $110 Legal Professional Non-Member $55 Young Associate Members (YAM’s) and Associate Board Members
Membership Discount Code:
For members, please contact 212.319.2787 ext. 10 or <A HREF="mailto:registrations@vlany.org" TARGET="_blank" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">registrations@vlany.org</A> to receive a membership discount code. 
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*SPECIAL PACKAGE DEAL* Continue learning with Trademark Basics!
Do you know the difference between copyright and trademark? 
Register for VLA's class Trademark Basics for Artists on April 18th to better understand the differences between these two forms of legal protection (copyright and trademark). Those who register for both classes will receive a discount off the total price.
Trademark Basics for Artists (1.5 Continuing Legal Education Credits)
When: Thursday, April 18, 2019, 5:30 - 7 PM 
Where: VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
For more details on this class, click <A HREF="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trademark-basics-for-artists-continuing-legal-education-tickets-57995967500" TARGET="_blank">here.</A> 
Discounted fees for purchase of both classes (each class is 1 ½ hrs):* $40 Full-Time Student (copyright + trademark)  $40 Artists Over Sixty (copyright + trademark) $60 Arts Professional VLA Member (copyright + trademark) $95 Arts Professional Non-Member (copyright + trademark) $200 Legal Professional VLA Member (copyright + trademark) $265 Legal Professional Non-Member (copyright + trademark) $158 Young Associate Members (YAM’s) and Associate Board Members (copyright + trademark)
Membership Discount Code:
For members, please contact 212.319.2787 ext. 10 or <A HREF="mailto:registrations@vlany.org" TARGET="_blank" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">registrations@vlany.org</A> to receive a membership discount code at the special pricing.
*You will be automatically registered for both classes when you purchase the package ticket. You must register no later than April 17th to receive this offer.
Please note you are not registered until full payment is received.  
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 Refund Policy:
All registration fees are non-refundable. Instructors are subject to change and no refunds will be given in the event that there is a substitution of the instructor. 
On-Time Arrival:
Please arrive on time for the class. Registrants who arrive more than 20 minutes late may not be permitted to enter the class.
For more information on this program, please contact VLA at registrations@vlany.org or 212.319.2787 x 10.
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About Instructor Elissa Hecker:
A repeat New York Super Lawyer and Top Attorney – New York Metro Area’s Outstanding Lawyer, who practices in the entertainment and business fields, Elissa Hecker has a wide range of experience in corporate, copyright, and trademark law, with clients that encompass a large spectrum of the business and entertainment world. She is an articulate, persuasive communicator with polished presentation skills.
Elissa focuses on the representation of businesses (both established and new ventures), the entertainment industry, individuals, creators, entrepreneurial ventures, and both for-profit and not-for-profit entities. She has extensive experience with contracts, licensing, digital issues, Trademark Law, Copyright Law, Intellectual Property, and all aspects of running a business. Elissa optimizes legal and business affairs function for songwriters, music publishers, recording artists, performers, managers, producers, independent record labels, and production companies, as well as within the film, television, dance, visual arts, and book publishing industries.

VLA Auditorium

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Copyright Basics

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Copyright Basics

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