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Authentication Lawsuit Against Keith Haring Foundation is Dismissed

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on March 11, 2015 at 3:04 AM

The lawsuit arising out of the Keith Haring Foundation’s refusal to authenticate a painting a Haring work, and the Foundation’s related efforts to prevent the exhibition of works it did not consider to be authentic, has been dismissed. The case is the latest in a series of civil cases related to the authentication of art—contemporary art in particular. While this case is resolved pending any appeal, the high-stakes nature of contemporary art assures that it will not be the last.

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Topics: authentication, Keith Haring, Sherman Act, Keith Haring Foundation, Gagosian Gallery, Lanham Act, Sotheby's, MIami

Books of Note: Visual Arts and the Law by Judith Prowda

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on January 15, 2015 at 6:02 PM

Periodically I like to make note of books about art law that I find exceptional. Art law is many things to many people, and one of the interesting things in surveying the literature is seeing what selection various authors make in terms of their subject matter. I reviewed the excellent Art Collecting Legal Handbook by Massimo Sterpi and Bruno Boesch recently, and the strength of that book was their choice to take a set of questions recurring in art collecting in particular to experts around the world. It’s a fantastic resource for collectors and lawyers.

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Topics: Art Finance, Stropheus, Auctions, Judith Prowda, authentication, droite de suite, Moral Rights, art law, expert opinions, dealers, Restitution, Massimo Sterpi, Art Collecting Legal Handbook, Galleries, Copyright, Books, . Auctions, Sotheby’s Institute, Fair Use, Berne Convention, Bruno Boesch

New Lawsuit Over Norman Rockwell Authenticity Spotlights Timely Issues

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on January 7, 2015 at 12:10 PM

A lawsuit has been filed in New Jersey about the authenticity of a painting sold more than 20 years ago that the gallery allegedly represented was a Norman Rockwell (himself a client of my firm long before my time), but which the plaintiff now alleges was not by the American legend. The case underscores the precarious position of authenticators, and the upside of the bill that has been pending in New York for almost a year now.

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Topics: authentication, authenticity, “Mending his Ways”, Harold Anderson, Laurence Casper, Gallery 63 Antiques, Norman Rockwell, Mobil Oil, Galleries, Isabel Knispel, U.C.C., Barry Knispel, “Patching Pants”

10, 9, 8…the Biggest Art Law Report Stories of 2014 and a Look Ahead

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on December 31, 2014 at 5:00 AM

As the ball teeters above Times Square, and the Glühwein begins to mull on the Art Law Report stove (don’t forget the cinnamon!), a gimmicky but apropos act of reflection is to look back at the biggest stories of 2014, both in art law generally and for yours truly and Sullivan & Worcester LLP. In highly subjective, unverifiable, and immediately criticizeable order, here they are. Thanks as always for reading, and best wishes for in interesting, prosperous New Year. If you agree, disagree, or otherwise, please continue to stay in touch and carry the conversation forward.

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Topics: Comedy Central, Deaccession, Schwabinger Kunstfund, Charitable Foundations, National Gallery of Art, Knoedler, Cornelius Gurlitt, Blogs, authentication, authenticity, parody, William Corcoran, Moral Rights, Above the Law, Germany, George Washington University, Glühwein, Nazi-looted art, Gurlitt Collection, Norton Simon, Graffiti Art, Superior Court, Cy Pres, Washington DC, VARA, Detroit Institute of Arts, Bankruptcy, Corcoran College of Art + Design, Dumb Starbucks, Preemption, Asher Edelman, DIA, Restitution, Marei Von Saher, Artmentum GmbH, Bavaria, Sullivan & Worcester LLP, World War II, Copyright, Times Square, Art Fairs, Kunstmuseum Bern, Corcoran Gallery, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Museums, Raubkunst, Detroit Bankruptcy, Fair Use, Münchner Kunstfund, Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity, Graffiti, Civil Forfeiture, Art Law Report

The Art Law Report Named to Above the Law’s 12 Awesome Law Blogs of 2014

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on December 17, 2014 at 12:46 PM

I was pleasantly surprised to learn today that Above the Law had published an article entitled “The 12 Awesome Law Blogs of 2014,” and right there at Number 1 was none other than the Art Law Report. As Colin O’Keefe and Cara McDonald wrote:

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Topics: the Auto Industry Blog, Retail Law Advisor, Trademarkology, Bob Law’s Law Blog, Stites & Harbison, Nazi-looted art in Munich, Walker O’Neill, ownership intellectual property, authentication, the Goulston & Storrs Retail Group, Above the Law, Gray Reed & McGraw P.C., Gurlitt Collection, BeLabor the Point, Covington & Burling LLP, R-T Specialty LLC, Charles Sartain, art, Canna Law Blog, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Stit, the Art Law Report, Gurlitt, Restitution, Canna Law, David Smyth, Kevin LaCroix, Colin O'Keefe, Goulston & Storrs, Cady Bar the Door, First Amendment, Hilary Bricken, The D&O Diary, Jim Walker, Cruise Law News, Harris Moure, Foley & Lardner, 12 Awesome Law Blogs of 2014, Brooks Pierce, Inside Privacy, Cara McDonald, Energy and the Law

REMINDER—Art Law Day Next Friday, November 7, 2014

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on October 29, 2014 at 9:40 AM

Art Law Day at the Appraisers Association of America’s annual conference is next Friday, November 7, 2014 at NYU's Kimmel Center. Sullivan & Worcester LLP will be sponsoring the event as a Friend of Art Law Day this year, about which we are very excited.

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Topics: The Changing Laws for the Sale of Endangered Speci, Monica Kreshik, NYU SCPS, International Director of Restitution, The Frick Collection, miGavel Auctions/Lark Mason Associates, Resale Royalties, Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Betty Krulik Fine Art Limited, American Royalties Too Act, Michael McCullough, Pearlstein & McCullough LLP, authentication, IRS/Tax Free Exchange, Richard Levin, New York University, American Alliance of Museums, Suzanne Goldstein Baker, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, Art Law Day, Department of Environmental Conservation, Ulf Biscof, New Legislation for Authentication Experts, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, Jerrold Nadler, Christie's, Appraisal, Detroit Institute of Arts, Amy Goldrich, Betty Krulik, Restitution, Randi Schuster, Events, Christopher Marinello Art Recovery International L, Cahill Partners LLP, Elizabeth von Habsburg Winston Art Group, Monica Dugot, Copyright, Appraisers Association of America, Marianne Rosenberg, Terry Shtob, Antiquities, Ford W. Bell, Craig Hoover, Bankruptcy and the Detroit Institute of Arts, Lark Mason, Kimmel Center, Wildlife Trade and Conservation Branch, Detroit Bankruptcy, Diane Wierbicki, Investment Property Exchange Services, Samuel Sachs II, Biscof & Paetow Rechtsanwälte, Withers Bergman LLP, Judith Bresler, Paul Rosenberg

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, American Royalties, Too Act Sponsor, Added to Speakers at Appraisers Association of America Art Law Day on November 7, 2014 at NYU

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on October 8, 2014 at 5:34 AM

Art Law Day at the Appraisers Association of America’s annual conference is now less than a month away. Held at the NYU Kimmel Center, this year’s event will be held on Friday November 7, 2014. Sullivan & Worcester LLP is excited to be a Friend of Art Law Day this year.

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Topics: Legislation, The Changing Laws for the Sale of Endangered Speci, Monica Kreshik, NYU SCPS, International Director of Restitution, The Frick Collection, miGavel Auctions/Lark Mason Associates, Resale Royalties, Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Betty Krulik Fine Art Limited, American Royalties Too Act, Michael McCullough, Pearlstein & McCullough LLP, authentication, IRS/Tax Free Exchange, Richard Levin, New York University, American Alliance of Museums, Suzanne Goldstein Baker, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, Art Law Day, Department of Environmental Conservation, Ulf Biscof, New Legislation for Authentication Experts, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, Christie's, Appraisal, Detroit Institute of Arts, Amy Goldrich, Betty Krulik, Restitution, Randi Schuster, Events, Christopher Marinello Art Recovery International L, Cahill Partners LLP, Elizabeth von Habsburg Winston Art Group, Monica Dugot, Appraisers Association of America, Marianne Rosenberg, Terry Shtob, Ford W. Bell, Craig Hoover, Bankruptcy and the Detroit Institute of Arts, Lark Mason, Kimmel Center, Wildlife Trade and Conservation Branch, Detroit Bankruptcy, Diane Wierbicki, Investment Property Exchange Services, Samuel Sachs II, Biscof & Paetow Rechtsanwälte, Withers Bergman LLP, Judith Bresler, Paul Rosenberg

Sullivan & Worcester LLP Pleased To Become a Friend of the Appraisers Association of America Art Law Day on November 7, 2014

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on August 21, 2014 at 3:50 AM

I'm pleased to announce that Sullivan & Worcester LLP has signed on as a Friend of Art Law Day at the annual conference of the Appraisers Association of America. The schedule has recently been released and registration is now available. Held once against at New York University Kimmel Center, this year’s event will be held on Friday November 7, 2014. The schedule is below and promises to be a fascinating day. Hope to see you there!

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Topics: The Changing Laws for the Sale of Endangered Speci, Monica Kreshik, NYU SCPS, International Director of Restitution, The Frick Collection, miGavel Auctions/Lark Mason Associates, Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Betty Krulik Fine Art Limited, Michael McCullough, Pearlstein & McCullough LLP, authentication, IRS/Tax Free Exchange, Richard Levin, New York University, American Alliance of Museums, Suzanne Goldstein Baker, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, Art Law Day, Department of Environmental Conservation, Ulf Biscof, New Legislation for Authentication Experts, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, Christie's, Detroit Institute of Arts, Amy Goldrich, Betty Krulik, Restitution, Randi Schuster, Events, Christopher Marinello Art Recovery International L, Cahill Partners LLP, Elizabeth von Habsburg Winston Art Group, Monica Dugot, Appraisers Association of America, Marianne Rosenberg, Terry Shtob, Ford W. Bell, Craig Hoover, Bankruptcy and the Detroit Institute of Arts, Lark Mason, Kimmel Center, Wildlife Trade and Conservation Branch, Detroit Bankruptcy, Diane Wierbicki, Investment Property Exchange Services, Samuel Sachs II, Biscof & Paetow Rechtsanwälte, Withers Bergman LLP, Judith Bresler, Paul Rosenberg

Analysis and Views Develop on New York Art Authentication Protection Bill

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on June 26, 2014 at 4:34 AM

As we reported back in February, the State Assembly and Senate are considering parallel versions of an amendment to the New York Arts & Cultural Affairs Law that would enhance protections for art authenticators by raising the burden of proof and providing for prevailing-party attorneys’ fees. Our view was, and remains, that the law would be an improvement on the status quo because it would protect the player that often has the least upside in an authentication but who may find herself the target of the disappointed party’s wrath.

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Topics: Donn Zaretsky, Andy Warhol Foundation, Art in America, Daniel Grant, New York State Assembly, authentication, Tracy Zwick, American Rule, Bill No. A09016, Art Law Day, New York Observer, clear and convincing evidence, Wolfgang Beltracchi, Art Law Committee, Chagall Committee, Appraisers Association of America, Keith Haring Foundation, New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, New York City Bar Association, authenticator, M. Knoedler & Co., Chagall, Senate Bill No. S06794

New York Authentication Protection Bill Passes Senate Committee

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on May 1, 2014 at 10:08 AM

The New York Senate Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation has unanimously endorsed Senate Bill No. S06794. The Committee was no doubt moved by yesterday’s sought-after Art Law Report endorsement. . . .

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Topics: Andy Warhol Foundation, New York State Assembly, authentication, Bill No. A09016, clear and convincing evidence, Appraisal, Wolfgang Beltracchi, Art Law Committee, Keith Haring Foundation, New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, New York City Bar Association, authenticator, M. Knoedler & Co., Senate Bill No. S06794

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About the Blog


The Art Law Report provides timely updates and commentary on legal issues in the museum and visual arts communities. It is authored by Nicholas M. O'Donnell, partner in our Art & Museum Law Practice.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

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