The Ask Call with Agent Lilla Rogers is tomorrow – Wednesday, June 19, 2013 – are you in?
The next call is tomorrow, Wednesday , June 19, 2013.
Our newest expert is Lilla Rogers – a successful agent and the brains behind Lilla Rogers Studios. I’m thrilled she is taking the time from everything else she has going on (a new book, an online class, a talent search and more…) to talk with us!
If you have never listened to a call before, head to http://askaboutartlicensing.com/ask-agent-lilla-rogers/ and sign up to get the call in details. (Just put “no question” as we have the list all organized at this point.)
Hope you can join us… Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
“Happy Birthday to You” lawsuit
There is an interesting case in the news – according the a lawsuit, the infamous song dates back to 1893 – in which case the copyright would have expired in 1921. However Warner/Chappell, based in Los Angeles, claims exclusive copyright to “Happy Birthday to You,” Warner/Chappell says they own the exclusive copyright to the melody, song and lyrics – the plaintiff says it’s on the piano melody.
Good Morning To You Productions Corp., which is working on a film tentatively titled “Happy Birthday,” argues in a lawsuit filed Thursday that the song should be “dedicated to public use and in the public domain.” The company is seeking monetary damages and restitution of more than US$5 million in licensing fees collected by Warner/Chappell Music Inc. from thousands of people and groups who’ve paid it licensing fees.
You can read more about this story on Forbes.com >> http://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2013/06/14/class-action-suit-aims-to-strip-warner-of-happy-birthday-copyright/
Here is another story – this one from the UK >> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2342034/Happy-lawsuit-Filmmaker-takes-music-giant-court-ownership-Happy-Birthday-song.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Songwriters: The simple four-line ditty was written in 1893 by Mildred and Patty Hill, two sisters from Louisville, Kentucky, and it was intended as a musical greeting performed in school by teachers
Is this really a copyright issue or a trademark issue or both? I’m not sure how it works with music but for artists, the word part of art doesn’t receive protection under copyright registration, just the art or the way the words are depicted. To truly protect original word combinations or usage – you have to register trademarks. (At least that is what this non-lawyer artist understands from years of working in this business…)
I’d love an attorney to chime in if you have any info, opinions or clarification to offer… in the meantime, some interesting food for thought. Does this mean we could be sued for putting “Happy Birthday to You” on a card or plate? Or does the copyright – if it is still in effect – apply to the song in its entirety? I don’t think I’ll ever sing at a party again without wondering how this all pans out!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
The 2013 Licensing Expo is next week!
I wanted to give a shout-out to all the artists who will be in Las Vegas next week…
If you are exhibiting, break a leg! May the show connect you with some fabulous possibilities that you can turn to gold.
If you are heading to the show to check it out and attend the classes, get rested, take notes and really figure out if licensing is for you.
I think art licensing is a fit for me because I love the combination of business and art. I love the challenge of creating collections of art that can transform to collections of products that when all goes as planned, transforms to sales and success for all. However licensing isn’t for everyone. If you don’t like deadlines, if you don’t work quickly and if you feel like a sell-out to see your art on products in stores, it might not be the best fit. My goal has always been to help people figure out if it’s a fit or not and I believe attending the classes at industry trade shows is a great way to go about it!
Want to learn all about the show, who will be there and what will be going on? Head to www.LicensingExpo.com
We can’t wait to hear how it all goes so please, report in! Send me links I can share with the group here, in the eNewsletter, on Facebook, Twitter and more…
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. TODAY (Thursday, June 13, 2013 – is the last day to get the Ask Paul Brent about art licensing / SURTEX recap audio replay for the sale price of $20 – click here to get yours!)
What a HOOT! A timeline of the history of our love affair with Owls…
In the Ask Call with Paul Brent, he talked about trends. One trend that has been going strong for a few years is the OWL. According to Paul and also some rumblings I’ve been hearing from retailers via licensees, the Owl trend may be on the decline.
Artist Kate Pitner sent me a link to this very interesting article from the LA Times about the owl in American Culture over the years. When you go to the article, be sure to click on the blue lines on the timeline to see all the info – I was a little confused about that at first. (It’s early – what can I say!)
On the 2012 slide, we may find the reason owls will be on the decline :
Justin Bieber reveals a new owl tattoo on his left arm. Quips Jenkins of TrendPulse: “Owls are now definitely over.”
So, did poor Justin Bieber kill the owl trend? Only time will tell…
Hop on over and check out the whole article >> http://timelines.latimes.com/lh-hoot-home-how-owl-became-decorating-sensation/
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
PS – The Ask Call replay (with notes!) is only $20 thru tomorrow – Thursday, June 13, 2013. Get yours now - time is running out!
The Art Licensing Blog turns 5…
Wowza! Five years ago today I posted my very first post on this blog… I remember wondering what on EARTH I would talk about but somehow I’ve managed to do 846 posts since then…
What a fun and interesting ride this has been… here’s to another 5 and beyond!
Here’s to your creative success.
– Tara Reed
Guest post policy
I have had a lot of requests and offers from people to write guest posts for the blog, to pay me for links that are hidden and don’t follow the FTC rules about transparency and disclosure and the like. I decided it was time to do a post about guest posts and add it to the contact page.
Art Licensing Blog Guest Post Policy:
I only publish Guest Posts by artists or experts who work in the art licensing industry. I believe the readers of this blog expect posts to be related to the industry and not random posts about getting out of debt, how to buy a car or other quite unrelated topics. My goal is to maintain the quality of the content and the integrity of the blog first and foremost.
While I appreciate the offers, many are turned down.
If you ARE in the art licensing industry and have blogged about a topic you think would be relevant to the readers of this blog, or are interested in having me post your information here as a guest post, I’m open to looking at the content and deciding if it is a fit. Feel free to send an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
question: If I feel confined doing commission work, will I be horrible as an artist in licensing?
This question came in a little late for the Ask Paul Brent call last week but Paul and I both thought it was a great one.
The exact question was:
Each time I do a commission, I feel somewhat ”confined” (to what the buyer wants) and just a little bit stressed (will they like it?) Does this mean I’d be horrible at being an artist whose work is licensed?
One of my missions with this blog and everything I do through the Art Licensing Info resources is to help artists who are new to the concept of art licensing. I want them to figure out as quickly as possible whether this line of work will be a fit for them or not. Don’t like deadlines? Not going to be a fit. Hate to make changes to your art? Red flag for a fit… and so on. This question played right into that mission so I asked Paul to give his 2¢ on the topic.
Here is Paul Brent’s reply:
First of all I would ask is “How stressed does it make you?” Think of your own health first.
Also, you can always refuse commissions in art licensing. Commissions are less than 15% of my total work. That being said, I would say that as you do more commissions the feelings of stress should lessen as you complete them and your client is happy with the work. Remember that your client chose you because they were confident in your work and liked what you did. As long as there are no unrealistic expectations, if you do your work as you normally do to your own standards then your client should be pleased.
Just keep telling yourself this and always present your finished piece to your client in a positive manner. Even if you have self doubt as all artists do tell you client “ I really enjoyed working on your project and am so excited about the results! I am sure this will be a hit with your customers.” Say this before you show the work and it will put your client in a positive mood about your art.
The more you do this and as you get positive feedback from you customers you should be able to overcome the feelings of stress.
– Paul Brent
Great advice! Attitude and how you present yourself or your work can set the tone for how you and your work will be received. This is sound advice for those trying to decide if art licensing is a fit and a great reminder for those of us in it.
To hear more of Paul’s answers to questions asked as well as his SURTEX recap and trend report, don’t forget the audio replay ( a 1 hour mp3 and his written notes) are on sale for $20 thru Thursday, 6/13. CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS and order your copy today!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
Ask Paul Brent / SURTEX recap audio is ready!
We had yet another home-run from Paul Brent. As I told him on the line last night, it is now his DUTY to do the Ask Call right after SURTEX because he does such a wonderful job with sharing his impressions of trends coming, trends going, new things, new artists and more.
We had 150 people listen live and now the replay is available for purchase. In addition to the hour-long mp3 audio file, you will also get Paul’s notes about the show – I can assure you I wasn’t able to be taking notes as fast as he was sharing info!
What we covered on the call…
- SURTEX 2013 trend report – written notes from Paul are included with the purchase of the mp3 replay
- Do you have to go to Surtex to get Licensing deals or can you contact individual companies directly?
- The news reports that retail is picking up. Do you feel that was reflected in Surtex 2013?
- How many new, unveiled collections, above and beyond your existing portfolio, do you show at SURTEX each year?
- What is one barrier you have had to overcome in the licensing industry?
- How does an artist judge that their portfolio is ready to take to Surtex, or to an agent?
- How do you know you are ready to go to Surtex?
- Is there any one type of style that MOST manufacturers are looking for?
The audio is on sale for $20 thru Thursday, June 13, 2013 and will then go to the regular replay price of $30 so order your copy now for the best deal.
Our next call is SOON – Wednesday, June 19th to be exact!
Agent Lilla Rogers will be making her “Ask Call Debut” -after visting wtih her at SURTEX I’m extra excited! Please submit quesitons asap – we don’t have a lot of turn-around time for this one!
NEW Contract Templates from Maria Brophy and distributed by ArtLicensingInfo.com
One other thing I mentioned on the call is a new resource for artists – The Artist’s Short License Agreement Template Package by Maria Brophy. It’s a great compliment to the eBook, How to Understand Art Licensing Contracts and will save you time and money putting your own contracts, deal memos and amendments together. See all the options for becoming a master at contracts at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/contracts.html
The Art Licensing Info Ask Call with Paul Brent’s SURTEX trend review is tomorrow – will you join us?
The next call is tomorrow, Wednesday , May 29, 2013.
This is one of my favorite calls of the year – we are just back from SURTEX and full of inspiration and follow-up lists. This will be the fourth year that Paul has been willing to share his insights on the show, trends and his perspective on the state of the industry as a whole. In addition, we will answer some of the great questions submitted by artists.
I hope you join Paul Brent and I – it’s always free if you call in and listen live. If you can’t make it or want to hear it all again, the replay will be available for a nominal fee.
If you have never listened to a call before, head to www.AskPaulBrent.com and sign up to get the call in details. (Just put “no question” as we have the list all organized at this point.)
Hope you can join us… Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
