Art & Copyright Law Clinic

February 5, 2024

Copyright law is a body of federal law that grants authors exclusive rights over their original works. Enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, these rights aim “to promote the progress of science and useful arts”.

Copyright protection extends to a broad spectrum of artistic expressions — from paintings and photographs to sculptures, as well as other fixed and tangible creative forms. Once protection attaches, copyright owners have exclusive economic rights that allow them to control how their work is reproduced, modified and distributed, among other uses.

Albeit theoretically simple, in practice copyright law is complex and nuanced: what works acquire such protection? How can creatives better protect their assets or, if they wish, exploit them for their monetary benefit?

The Art & Copyright Law Clinic is designed to help artists navigate these complexities by connecting them with legal professionals who can clarify their rights, explain relevant protections, and keep them informed of emerging issues in copyright law, especially as new technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI) reshape the legal landscape.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Art & Copyright Law Clinic, please complete this short volunteer interest form.

If you have any questions about the the Center for Art Law’s clinics, please contact us by emailing clinic@itsartlaw.org.