I’m neither a lawyer nor play one on TV, but I do know that the more that writers know about the legal status of their books, the better off they are, in the long run. The Washington Lawyers for the Arts periodically gives lunchtime talks on issues of interest to writers — I would highly recommend this upcoming talk to Seattle-area writers, particularly those who tread the memoir path:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BASICS
If you’re an artist, you can never know too much about the laws that protect your rights to your own work. Have upi attemded seminars in the past where the issues were too complex, and you felt lost? This session is designed especially for beginners. Signe Brunstad, a licensed attorney who teaches copyright and other intellectual property classes at the University of Washington and Seattle University law schools, will provide an overview comparing copyright, trademark, patent, trade dress and other forms of intellectual property protection for artists of all disciplines. She will explain how you acquire and register for each right, how long they last, how these rights are involved in the contracts you enter, and how much — or how little — it could all cost you.
Date:
Monday, September 17, 2007
Time:
11:45 am – 2:00 pm (program begins at noon; lunches welcome)
Location:
911 Media Arts Center
402 9th Avenue N
Seattle, Washington 98109
Fee:
In advance: $10 for artists and students
At the door: $15 for artists and students
Tickets may be bought through Brown Paper Tickets. To reserve a seat and pay at the door, RSVP at (206) 328-7053 or visit the Washington Lawyers for the Arts’ website.