Contact person: Intake operator at each office (see main web site)
Types of IP services offered: Referral for 30 minute consultation with attorney knowledgeable in artist's particular problem. Also offers arts arbitration services
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): N
Region(s) covered: Offices in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Santa Monica
Contact person: Jennifer Granick, Clinic Director, Executive Director
Telephone: (650) 724-0014
Fax: (650) 723-4426
Types of IP services offered: Specializing in internet-related cases, including disputes over domain names, defending and preserving anonymity of those sued for posting on internet message boards, disputes involving the content of websites, use of trademarks on eBay, suits based on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and cases involving internet security and privacy issues. The Center also houses the Fair Use Project, which handles selected copyright cases involving the Fair Use defense.
Types of IP services offered: Litigation defense, with concentration on "impact litigation", i.e., precendent setting cases; nationwide referrals to attorneys in technology cases.
Eligibility criteria: No formal criteria.
Regions covered: Nationwide in U.S.A.
Fees charged: None
Address: 454 Shotwell Street, San Francisco, California 94110
Community Economic Development Pro Bono Project District of Columbia Bar
Contact person: Regina Hopkins, Project Director
Types of IP services offered: Non-litigation business law assistance, including intellectual property, by providing referrals to volunteer attorneys who specialize in the appropriate fields. Information sessions on general business law, including intellectual property.
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Non-profit organizations only, except for information sessions for disadvantaged businesses. (Disadvantaged is defined as being minority or female owned, or being located in a low-income area of the District of Columbia.)
Contact person: Victoria Philips, Assistant Director
Glushko Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic
Washington College of Law
American University
4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20016
202.274.4165 -- Phone
202.274.4166 202.274.0659 fax [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: The full range of intellectual property specialties -- copyright, trademark, and beyond -- in a variety of settings -- including client counseling, rights acquisition, transactional lawyering and negotiation, litigation, and administrative and legislative advocacy.
The Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic (IP Clinic) at the Washington College of Law, American University, provides legal services to clients who require quality intellectual property representation that they are unable to obtain in the general market for legal services. The IP Clinic work involves the full range of intellectual property specialties -- copyright, trademark, and beyond -- in a variety of settings -- including client counseling, rights acquisition, transactional lawyering and negotiation, litigation, and administrative and legislative advocacy. The IP Clinic represents individual creators and users of intellectual property, small businesses and communities of rights holders and consumers, not for profit institutions and associations, and other entities. IP Clinic services are provided by second- and third-year law students, who work under the supervision of IP Clinic faculty. Although the IP Clinic provides legal services free of charge, the IP Clinic clients generally must pay for other costs of legal representation, such as governmental filing fees and litigation-related costs.
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Individual creators and users of intellectual property, small businesses and communities of rights holders and consumers, not for profit institutions and associations, and other entities.
Regions(s) covered: All.
Any fees charged: Although the IP Clinic provides legal services free of charge, the IP Clinic clients generally must pay for other costs of legal representation, such as governmental filing fees and litigation-related costs.
Patent, Trademark & Copyright Section Bar Association of the District of Columbia
Contact person: Ralph P. Albrecht, Chair
Phone: (202) 216-8166
Types of IP services offered: Amicus briefs
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): No
Regions(s) covered: National
Any fees charged: None
UDC David A. Clarke School of Law Community Development Law Clinic
Contact Person: Louise Howells or Laurie Morin
Telephone: Louise Howells (202) 274-7325
Laurie Morin (202) 274-7335
Types of IP Services offered: We represent small business entrepreneurs and nonprofits in trademark and copyright matters, including applications, advice and administrative procedures (no litigation)
Eligibility Criteria (Y/N): There are no eligibility requirements, except clients must be District of Columbia residents or businesses located in the District.
Region(s) covered: Licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia
Any fees charged: We do not charge legal fees: clients are required to pay costs, such as filing fees.
Other: This is a law school clinic; clients are represented by students under the supervision of clinic faculty.
Contact person: Laura Bruney, Director
305-865-5583 [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: Non-litigation IP services, including legal clinics and referrals to volunteer attorneys
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Y - serves non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations involved in the arts and individual artists who meet their financial guidelines - contact organization directly for specific financial criteria; individual artists who don't meet financial criteria can receive referrals for reduced fee services from entertainment lawyers
Region(s) covered: south Florida
Any fees charged: No
Address: 200 S. Biscayne Blvd. Suite 4000, Miami, FL 33131
Types of IP services offered: all IP areas: free workshops & referrals to volunteer attorneys for individual artists and non-profit organizations involved in the arts
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): very flexible financial standard - generally limited to individual artists with annual income below $25,000
Region(s) covered: Pinellas County, but will also consider statewide requests
Any fees charged: No
Address: 13805 58th Street North. Suite 2-450,
Clearwater, FL 33760
Types of IP services offered: referrals to pro bono & paid attorneys for all IP issues except utility patents (design patents only); seminars, workshops, walk-in clinics; free or low-cost mediation
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Y -- Limited-income artist or non- profit arts organization with budget under $600,00; contact Georgia Lawyers for the Arts for details.
Region(s) covered: statewide Georgia
Any fees charged: application fee to Georgia Lawyers for the Arts
Types of IP services offered: copyright, trademark, patent, licensing, etc
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Y - client must be community or non-profit organization engaged in community economic development in Georgia or providing services to the low-income community or marginalized populations; organizations must also demonstrate lack of funds for legal services
Region(s) covered: statewide Georgia, with an emphasis on rural Georgia
Any fees charged: no fees charged for legal services; organizations must pay minimal fees for training programs
Other: all interested organizations must submit application found on website; lawyers may volunteer their services by email at [email protected] or can browse pro bono opportunities on website and select a specific matter from there
Address: 104 Marietta St. Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303
Contact Person: Professor Barbara B. Bressler
(312) 362-8294
Fax: (312) 362-6918 [email protected]
Types of IP Services offered: All aspects of trademark and copyright, trade secret, unfair competition. Patent services limited to counseling and preliminary prior art searching.
Eligibility Criteria (Y/N): Y
Inability to pay private counsel for type of service needed.
Region(s) covered: All. Litigation matters must have venue in Cook County, Illinois, the Northern District of Illinois, or the TTAB.
Any fees charged: No fees. Client must pay any costs incurred.
Other: Clients are represented by law students supervised by clinic faculty.
Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School
Types of IP Services offered: general transactional services, including trademarks or copyright registration, counseling related to trademark, trade secret, copyright, and patent law, assistance with contracts and licensing.
Eligibility Criteria (Y/N): Y, Lower to moderate income
Region(s) covered: Chicagoland area
Any fees charged: No
The Patent Clinic Center for Intellectual Property Law John Marshall Law School
Contact Person: William E. Rattner, Executive Director
E-mail:[email protected]
Types of IP Services offered: Copyright, Trademark, Patent consultation
Eligibility Criteria (Y/N): Y
Region(s) covered: Illinois and neighboring states.
Any fees charged: $40.00 processing fee for individuals $80.00 processing fee for groups and organizations
Other: Lawyers for the Creative Arts is a nonprofit organization that provides pro bono legal assistance to artists and arts organizations in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
Types of IP services offered: all areas - 30 minute free consultations with an attorney; will then match client with free attorney if further action required free seminars on IP issues
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Y - available to low/medium income artists who meet HUD standards (family of two = annual income below $35,000)
Region(s) covered: statewide Louisiana
Any fees charged: client pays registration fees
Address: 818 Howard Ave, Suite 300, New Orleans, LA 70113
Contact person: Loletta Darden, Associate Clinical Professor, Suffolk University Law School
Address: Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Suite 150, Boston, MA 02108
Types of IP service offered: branding, copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, privacy law
Eligibility criteria: Acceptance as a client of IPEC is not guaranteed, and is based upon a variety of factors, including the availability of resources, absence of any conflict-of-interest, financial need, and educational value for our students
Regions(s) covered: National, with focus on MA
Any fees charged: None. Clients are only responsible for own filing fees to USPTO/copyright office where applicable.
Minnesota
Springboard for the Arts
Contact Person: Chris Osgood, Director of Artist Services
(651) 292-3206
Fax: (651) 292-4315 [email protected]
Types of IP Services offered: Arts & Entertainment Law
Intellectual Property Law
Family/Estate Planning
Contracts
Organizational (nonprofit/commercial)
Employment Law
Eligibility Criteria (Y/N): Clients must be either working in a creative discipline (visual, performing, literary, music, etc.) or involved in non-profit or for-profit arts/cultural organization.
Region(s) covered: Minnesota and Upper Midwest
Any fees charged: With a referral from Springboard for the Arts, attorneys provide up to ½ hour pro bono time, and a reduced rate thereafter.
Other:
What is Springboard for the Arts?
Springboard for the Arts is an arts service organization that provides affordable business and management information and training for independent artists and nonprofit arts organizations. Springboard for the Arts is the only organization in Minnesota, which provides these services specifically designed to meet the needs of artists and arts and cultural organizations. Springboard's services are designed to improve the professional competence and confidence of artists, arts groups and nonprofit organizations.
Springboard Publications are now available only on the web.
Available on www.arts.state.mn.us:
Artwork: Opportunities in Arts Administration
Exhibit: A Basic Guide to Gallery and Exhibition Spaces in Minnesota
Grants: A Basic Guide to Grants for Minnesota Artists
Space: A Basic Guide to Performance and Rehearsal Spaces in Minnesota Available on www.springboardforthearts.org:
Handbook for Minnesota Artists
Workshops and Consulting Services for Artists
Information on copyright and trademark laws
Advice on how to market artistic work
Leads on sources of grants and fellowships
Assistance with career planning and transition
Referrals to tax accountants, attorneys and other professionals
The Springboard Artist Loan Fund
The Artist Emergency Relief Fund
Workshops and Consulting Services For Arts Groups And Cultural Organizations
Starting and running a nonprofit corporation
Building a board of directors
Organizational development, strategic and long-range planning
Tips on fundraising and grant writing
Board retreat and planning facilitation
Information on government reporting requirements
Referrals to arts management resources and attorneys
Springboard Resource Center
Books, journals, and other print publications on a variety of arts business topics
Computer and printing workstations with Internet access
Opportunities and Deadlines for Artists of all disciplines
Types of IP Services offered: Assistance with copyright and trademark matters.
Eligibility Criteria (Y/N): low-income artists and small arts organizations
Region(s) covered: Missouri and Southwestern Illinois
Any fees charged: small processing fee ($15.00 for individuals; $25.00 for organizations)
New York
Buffalo Area Lawyers Supporting the Arts
Contact person: Melissa Granger
Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie Counties
700 Maine Street
Buffalo, New York 14202-1962
Phone: 716-856-7520
Fax: 716-856-7548 [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: Referrals to attorneys in organization; workshops & educational programs for artists and arts organization.
Eligibility Criteria: Whether services are to be rendered pro bono is determined by the attorney to whom the client is referred.
Types of IP services offered: Business law services, including intellectual property. Lawyers Alliance for New York provides free and low-cost business law services to not-for-profit and community development organizations serving New York City's low-income neighborhoods. Over 650 volunteers from 115 of New York's leading law firms and corporations participate in Lawyers Alliance's pro bono projects. Lawyers Alliance staff attorneys serve as co-counsel on pro bono cases. Please contact Pro Bono Coordinator Carrie Marker at [email protected] for further details about the Lawyers Alliance pro bono program.
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Not-for-profit and community development organizations serving low-income neighborhoods.
Regions(s) covered: New York City
Any fees charged: Free or low-cost.
Public Patent Foundation
Contact person: Dan Ravicher
Executive Director
404 West 51st Street, Suite 3A
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 917-843-3425
Fax: 212-977-9677
E-Mail: [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: Reexaminations of patents.
Pre-litigation counseling, representation and negotiation. Representing defendants in patent litigation. Patent-related only. (No trademark or copyright services.) No patent applications or prosecution.
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Economically disadvantaged businesses (including sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations or other entities) accused of infringing dubious patents.
Regions(s) covered: All of the United States of America, but only the U.S.A.
Any fees charged: Clients are expected to pay costs, but normally not attorney fees.
Types of IP services offered: Full range, including copyrights, trademarks, arts-related patents, licensing and litigation.
Eligibility Criteria: Must be artists or nonprofit arts-related organizations. Income guidelines for artists.
Regions covered: All of New York State and neighboring areas of Connecticut and New Jersey. Will represent people from other areas, if they have a New York related issue.
Fees charged: Fees range from about $50 to $250 (plus costs) depending on income, services provided, and membership.
North Carolina
North Carolina Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Contact person: Daniel Ellison, Executive Director
919-95-NCVLA [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: referrals to both pro bono and paid attorneys on arts law issues; seminars for artists; CLE programs for attorneys
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Y - problem must involve arts law issue, but clients need not be artists; no financial eligibility criteria
Region(s) covered: statewide North Carolina
Any fees charged: fees for seminars and CLE programs; contact organization directly for further information
Other: P.O. Box 25005
Durham, NC 27702
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia LawWorks
Contact person: Steven L. Grumm
Coordinator
Philadelphia LawWorks
4th Floor
42 South 15th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
(215) 523-9550
Fax: (215) 564-0845 [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: Referrals to volunteer attorneys.
Eligibility Criteria: Nonprofit organizations or low-income business serving low-income communities.
Regions covered: Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Fees charged: No attorney fees; clients may have to pay costs such as filing fees.
Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia,
200 S. Broad Street, Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-790-3836 Fax: 215-790-3888
Types of IP services offered: Legal services and educational programs for individual artists and arts and cultural organizations. PVLA volunteer attorneys provide legal assistance on a wide range of arts-related legal issues, including Administrative/Municipal Law; Arbitration/Mediation; Art and Entertainment Law; Bankruptcy; Censorship/Artistic Expression; Collections; Computer/Technology/Internet Law; Copyright/Licensing; Defamation; General and Management Agreements; Immigration; Insurance; Intellectual Property; International Law; Labor and Employment; Landlord-Tenant; Litigation; Nonprofit Law; Patent Law; Real Estate; Right of Publicity; Small Business Start-Up; Small Claims; Tax; Trademark; Trusts and Estates.
Eligibility Criteria: Income Guidelines: Legal-Lines and ArtFaxes are short consultations. Full Service Referrals are larger projects. Clients who do not qualify for pro bono services may request educational materials or reduced-rate referral lists.
Rhode Island
Lawyers for the Arts Program, Rhode Island Bar Association
Contact person: Susan Fontaine,
Public Services Director
Phone: (401) 421-7799
Types of IP services offered: Copyright and Trademark.
The Lawyers for the Arts Program provides three levels of service based upon your income. These are regular fee, reduced fee and pro bono or no charge service. A referral fee of $25.00 is required and is payable at the time of the consultation for regular and reduced fee clients. Checks should be made payable to the Lawyer Referral Service. If it is determined that additional legal work is required, it will be your decision to continue legal services. It is suggested that you discuss the attorney's fees and the cost of any further services beyond the initial half-hour consultation during your first visit. If you decide to hire the attorney, you will be responsible for any additional legal fees. There is no obligation on your part or the lawyer's to go beyond the one half-hour consultation and $25.00 referral fee. If you qualify for pro bono service, you will not be required to pay the $25.00 referral fee. You may be required to pay court fees or other minor litigation costs. These can be discussed with your attorney.
Eligibility Criteria: Must meet income eligibility requirements for pro bono or reduced fee services.
Regions covered: Rhode Island
Fees charged: $25 referral fee waived if qualified for pro bono service. Pro bono clients may be required to pay court fees and other litigation costs.
Ocean State Lawyers for the Arts
Contact person: David M. Spatt, Esq.
P.O. Box 19
Saunderstown, Rhode Island 02874
Phone: 401-789-5686 [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: Copyrights and trademarks; no litigation.
Eligibility Criteria: None
Regions covered: Rhode Island
Fees charged: Pro bono or reduced fees determined on a case by case basis; filing fees and other costs to be paid by client.
Types of IP services offered: copyright, trademark & patent
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Client has to meet low income guidelines (125% of the Federal Poverty Level)
Region(s) covered: statewide South Carolina
Any fees charged: No, but client pays all costs
Other: Volunteer lawyers decide which referrals to accept or decline from the Pro Bono Program. If a referral is accepted, the volunteer lawyer makes a final decision to represent the Pro Bono Program client only after the client has met with the volunteer lawyer.
Types of IP services offered: legal advice hotline: 2nd & 3rd Wednesday of each month, 5:15-8:15 pm; will answer questions on any topic about which available attorney is competent
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): No
Region(s) covered: Dallas County
Any fees charged: No
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
Contact person: 214-748-1234, ext. 3600
Types of IP services offered: Referral to volunteer attorneys - will try to find an attorney to handle any IP service requested
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Y-- Below 150% of federal poverty guidelines.
Region(s) covered: Dallas County
Any fees charged: No (client must pay copyright registration fees, etc)
Types of IP services offered: legal advice hotline 5:00 - 9:00 pm, 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month; will answer questions on any topic about which available attorney is competent
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): No
Region(s) covered: No regional restrictions, but no collect calls accepted.
Contact person: James E. Berish, Director Technology Assistance SBDC
(214) 860-5709, phone
(214) 860-5882, fax [email protected]
Types of IP services offered: Patent, copyright, trademark, business, new product/process development, technology transfer (e.g., NASA, Federal Laboratory Consortium).
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): All clients welcome -- must meet SBA guidelines for small business.
Region(s) covered: Northeast Texas and beyond
Any fees charged: No charge for services, counseling Fees for seminars: $15-35 average
Other: Also assist with Government Contracting, Risk Management, Environmental, International, and Manufacturing issues
Address: 1402 Corinth Street, Suite 1522, Dallas, TX 75215
Contact person: Cal Kinnear, Administrative Director 206 328-7053
Types of IP services offered: Clinic consultations for artists and arts organizations; Brown Bag education sessions on art law topics; speakers bureau.
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): N
Region(s) covered: Statewide, but clinic located in Seattle
Any fees charged: Suggested donation $20.00
West Virginia
Intellectual Property Law Section West Virginia State Bar
Contact persons: Tony Tokary, Chair
Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love, PLLC
600 Quarrier Street
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: (304) 347-1133
Fax: (304) 347-1196
E-Mail: [email protected]
Thomas R. Tinder
Executive Director
West Virginia State Bar
Phone: (304) 558-7993
Types of IP services offered: All areas.
Eligibility criteria (Y/N): Federal poverty guidelines.
Regions(s) covered: West Virginia and neighboring areas.