Case List

Contract Drafting: Contributor Agreement: Literature

22-0537 Author is creating a book that compiles stories about transcendental meditation and plans to solicit short stories from other writers. She needs counsel to draft an agreement for these contributors.

Contract Drafting: Manufacturing Agreement: Visual Art

22-0868 Artist who makes uniquely designed drinkware is planning to contract with a Chinese manufacturing company to mass produce her work. She needs counsel to draft the agreement.

Contract Review / Drafting: Catalog Agreement: Music

22-0494 DJ has started a company to administer the rights for DJ mixes. He has a broad Catalog Agreement, but he needs counsel to review the contract and adapt it to license/administer limited rights - mechanical, master use, and derivative works.

Contract Review: Distribution Agreement: Music

22-0786 Singer and recording artist who infuses reggae with pop and R&B needs counsel to review two distribution agreements.

Contract Review: Independent Contractor Agreement: Performing Arts

22-0845 Magician and performer has been offered an independent contractor agreement and needs counsel to review the agreement and advise on the inherent worker classification concerns.

Contract Review: Option & Purchase Agreement: Film/TV

22-0870 Performing artist runs a live storytelling show. She has been offered an option & purchase agreement by a producer interested in adapting the live show into a television show. Artist needs counsel to review the agreement.

Copyright Registration: Mobile Phone Game

22-0864 Game designer created and published mobile phone game and needs counsel to assist with copyright registration.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Visual Art

22-0669 Graphic designer was hired to design several issues of a magazine without a formal agreement. Designer completed work on 3 issues, but due to difficulties in the working relationship and ability to obtain payment, terminated the arrangement. Magazine has failed to complete payment for services rendered and has demanded that designer turn over all source files for the work completed. Designer needs counsel to assist with recovery of fees for services rendered and advise on her rights and obligations with regard to completed work.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Audio Documentary

22-0527 Documentarian produced an audio documentary about UFOs in the 70s. Someone has made the documentary available online without compensating the rightsholders. Documentarian needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for copyright infringement.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Music

22-0455 TIME SENSITIVE MATTER: Recording artist wrote, recorded, and copyrighted a song in 2017. Shortly afterwards, he sent a copy of the song to a well known music producer and artist. A year later, the producer and artist released a song with many similar elements, including title, chord structure, rhythm, and lyrics. Client is involved in ongoing copyright infringement litigation in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois over this dispute. Previous counsel had to withdraw and artist is seeking representation for the ongoing litigation.

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 counsel to evaluate a 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: Employment: Arts Organization

22-0699 Former employee of a nonprofit organization that manages an artist retreat was repeatedly mistreated by her employer. She reported this treatment to the board and eventually resigned, and needs counsel to evaluate a claim of constructive discharge.

Dispute: Intellectual Property Infringement: Fashion

22-0844 Fashion designer did some work for a fashion brand as an independent contractor from 2020-2021. She did not have a formal agreement with the brand. She recently discovered that the brand is planning to release two of the designs she created during that time. Designer needs counsel to evaluate her rights and any claim for infringement of her intellectual property.

Dispute: Nonpayment of Royalties: Literature

21-1202 Author published several books with various self-publishing companies and does not believe that he has received appropriate royalty payments. He needs counsel to obtain a sales and royalty accounting from the publishers.

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: 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.

Nonprofit Compliance: Film

22-0717 Nonprofit (501(c)(6)) organization that advocates for the Illinois film production community needs general advice and counsel regarding their state and federal compliance requirements.

Nonprofit: Complaint/Conflict Resolution Procedure: Visual Art

22-0606 Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting visual artists needs counsel to prepare a complaint/conflict resolution procedure for the artists served by the organization.

Nonprofit: Convert LLC to NFP

22-084 Classical music ensemble dedicated to performing and promoting music by womxn and gender-nonconforming composers needs counsel to help them transition from an LLC to a nonprofit organization.

Nonprofit: Tax-Exemption

22-0878 Nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing Peruvian culture, lifestyle, and music needs counsel to help them obtain tax exempt status.

Start-up: Film

22-0909 Filmmaker working on a short surrealist film needs general start-up advice and assistance with LLC formation.

Start-up: Music

22-0857 Music producer and sound engineer needs general start-up advice and help with LLC formation.

Start-up: Photography

22-0603 Collective of Chicago photographers that presents exhibitions and regular meetings would like to create a formal entity and needs counsel to assist with choice of entity and entity formation.

Trademark Registration: Fashion

22-0860 Designer plans to start an apparel brand and needs counsel to assist with trademark registration for one word mark and a logo.

Trademark Registration: NFT Art

22-0861 NFT Multimedia artist needs assistance to register one mark. Client also has some questions about copyright registration.