Case List

Content Clearance: Public Domain: Music

22-0661 Classical guitarist is planning to record the works of a Paraguayan composer who passed away in the 1940s and needs help confirming that a series of compositions are in the public domain.

Contract Review: Letter of Intent: Visual Art

22-0643 Visual artist has been offered a space in an accelerator program designed to help artists grow their practice and their business and has been offered a Letter of Intent agreement. She needs counsel to review the agreement.

Contract Review: Distribution Agreement

22-0641 Writer has been offered a license agreement with a local distributor for the digital distribution of a television show. She needs counsel to review the agreement.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Visual Art

22-0608 Visual artist working on canvas recently discovered that prints of his artwork are listed for sale on a Russian website without his permission. He needs assistance to register copyright in this work (and others) and evaluate a claim for copyright infringement.

Start-up: Visual Arts/Fashion

22-0604 Visual Artist and fashion designer is planning to start a business and needs general start-up advice and help with choice of entity.

NFP: Dissolution: Dance

22-0593 Nonprofit arts history/education organization has begun the process of winding down and dissolving the entity and needs advice on the dissolution process.

NFP: Dissolution: Choir

22-0584 Nonprofit choral ensemble is planning to wind down and dissolve the entity and needs advice on the dissolution process and options for distribution of the entity's assets.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Consignment Agreement

22-0579 Client consigned an extremely valuable violin to a violin dealer. Pursuant to the consignment agreement, client attempted to terminate the agreement. Dealer has not returned the violin or paid the client proceeds from any sale. Violin is insured, but insurer refuses to pay. Client needs counsel to help evaluate any claim for breach of contract, assist with the recovery of the violin, or assist with the insurance claim.

NFP: Out-of-State Operations

22-0573 Florida-based NFP that provides training in opera performance would like to begin operating in Illinois. Organization needs help to identify and complete the necessary registrations to operate in Illinois, as well as address any administrative/governance concerns.

Contract Review: Co-Production Agreement: Film

22-0550 Filmmaker working on an experimental narrative film about loneliness and the human condition is partnering with a Dutch production company and needs counsel to review and, if appropriate, update, the Co-Production Agreement.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Music

22-0507 DJ and composer client wrote and published song in 2014. Over the last several years, another company has been using a sample of the original sound recording in their releases. Client has filed several DMCA notices, and has received at least one counternotice. Client needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for copyright infringement.

Dispute: Landlord/Tenant: Visual Art

22-0491 Visual artist contacted the owner of a commercial building about renting studio space. Artist came to agreement with landlord as to rent orally and via text message, but no lease was ever signed. Artist paid a down payment, and several other fees assessed by the landlord, and landlord continued to add additional charges to the monthly rent to which artist initially agreed. Artist needs counsel to evaluate her rights and, if possible, recover amounts paid.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Music

22-0474 Client is a songwriter and musician who separated from his band in 2019. Client wrote and registered copyright in 6 musical compositions that were performed by the band. The lead singer subsequently registered copyright in the same songs under different titles. Client wishes to challenge the lead singer's copyright registration and needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for copyright infringement.

Dispute: Accounting: Literature

22-0461 Author published a book with a literary publisher in 2012. A second edition was released in 2019, and the author doesn't believe they are being paid appropriately. Client needs help securing a royalty statement and determining if the publisher is withholding royalty payments.

Contract Drafting: Performer Agreement & Work for Hire: Film

22-0400 Client is producing a get-out-the-vote video that will feature local ministers and community figures. Client needs counsel to draft a standard agreement to memorialize her arrangement with the community figures, as well as a work for hire agreement for the artists creating the sound recording to be used in the video.

Contract Drafting: Participation Agreements: Reenactment

22-0391 Client is organizing a reenactment of a historical journey and needs counsel to draft agreements for the participants.

NFP: Bylaws: Theatre

22-0373 NFP theatre company that uses stage combat to tell stories that elevate the voices of underrepresented communities needs counsel to review and, if appropriate, update their bylaws.

Dispute: Employment Discrimination: Visual Art

22-0330 Visual artist was recently fired from a teaching position with a local art school. He believes he has a claim for race-based employment discrimination and needs counsel to evaluate his claim.

Contract Drafting: Partnership Agreement: Literature

22-0219 Author of children's books is planning to enter into a business partnership with another individual. Author will handle the artistic side of things, while the potential partner would work to develop technology and merchandise associated with the books. Author needs counsel to draft an agreement memorializing the arrangement.

Copyright Infringement: Music

22-0206 Singer-songwriter performed, distributed, and registered copyright in an original pop song in 2017. This year, another artist released a chart-topping song with similar thematic, lyrical, and melodic components. Singer-songwriter needs counsel to help evaluate any potential claim for copyright infringement.

Dispute: Dissolution of LLC: Film

22-0156 Filmmaker client is a member of a film production LLC that was created to produce a film project about football. Client spent a great deal of his own money on the project and believes that he has not been properly compensated per the operating agreement, and wishes to dissolve the LLC and be made whole. Client needs counsel to review the relevant documents and evaluate his rights, and if appropriate, assist with his exit from, or the dissolution of, the LLC.

Dispute: Commercial Eviction: Visual Art

22-0001 Visual artist has had a commercial lease on studio space for several years. Prior to the pandemic, he fell behind on rent. The lease eventually expired, but artist continued occupying the space and making attempts to pay off the amounts owed. Now, the landlord has served the artist with eviction paperwork, and the artist needs counsel to evaluate his case and advise as to his options.

Immigration: Dance Company

21-1168 Established Chicago dance company is starting a year long training program and has received inquiries of participation from international students. Company wants to accept these students and believes they need to obtain status as an SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) approved school. Company needs counsel to advise and assist them in this process.

NFP: Fundraising Regulations

21-0870 Illinois NFP needs help evaluating whether they are permitted or need special licensing to use a Facebook spinning wheel game to facilitate fundraising.