The City of Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (Detroit ACE) is partnering with University of Detroit Mercy School of Law on a new Arts and Entertainment Law Clinic to support local creatives.
From murals to music and more, the clinic seeks to enhance the cultural richness of Detroit by providing pro bono legal services to creatives, including musicians,
independent filmmakers, writers, artists and photographers, according to those directing the new initiative.
The clinic, combined with existing patent and trademark clinical programs, provides students with access to a comprehensive intellectual property law practice experience. The clinic is the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan, said Melissa Eckhause, assistant professor of law and the clinic’s director.
“This clinic will fill a gap that artists need,” Eckhause said. “Michigan lost its only pro bono arts and entertainment law organization in 2019. The clinic seeks to empower artists by educating them about their legal rights and advocating on their behalf.
“It’s about preserving space for creatives to be expressive and ensuring our local creatives are not being taken advantage of and that they receive fair compensation for their creative property, which historically has disproportionally impacted women and minorities.”
Eckhause has more than a decade of experience representing music and film producers, Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, entertainment professionals, and professional athletes.
In addition to the legal services, the clinic also is partnering with Detroit ACE on special workshops and programs designed to help creatives protect their products and performances.
With support from the Kresge Foundation, Detroit ACE offered free entrepreneurship and business training last year.
Matt Bower, a partner with Varnum LLP and a member of the firm’s corporate and intellectual property practice groups, is co-director of the clinic.
He has extensive experience in a broad range of intellectual property matters including copyright protection and licensing, publicity rights, publishing, public art and fair use.
Among the services the clinic will teach are: filing copyright registrations, preparing clearance reports and fair use analyses, drafting and commenting on music agreements, writing personal services agreements, securing location agreements and image releases and advising on defamation and publicity matters.
In addition to the copyright work through the Arts and Entertainment Law Clinic, Detroit Mercy Law also offers a transnational patent clinic and trademark clinic, both of which are certified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Nicholas Schroeck, associate dean for Experiential Education and associate professor of law, said that the addition of the Arts and Entertainment Law Clinic to Detroit Mercy Law’s innovative program of clinical education positions the school well to serve Detroit’s burgeoning creative community.
“By adding copyright expertise to our existing intellectual property clinics, which cover patents and trademarks, our students will gain valuable legal skills and practice experience while providing legal representation to clients who would otherwise be without,” Schroeck said.
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