Legally Speaking

My story with the American legal system began when I was just in my second year of business. We were struggling with getting new clients when we were hit with a copyright lawsuit. You see, some of the work that we produced for a large beauty/cosmetic company appeared in a book, without the written permission of our client. As the saying goes, we were up a creek without a paddle. Luckily, the California Lawyers for the Arts referred a lawyer by the name of Stuart Carroll. He got us out of the jam and has been my attorney ever since.

Stuart has graciously agreed to come and share his knowledge with our audience on a wide range of topics including:

• Copyright, how to protect your work.
• What does it take to sue a client for using your work without permission?
• Non Disclosure Agreements, should you sign them?
• When’s a good time to hire an attorney?
• Client has gone MIA and won’t pay. What should you do?
• What’s the most cost effective way to incorporate my company?
• Are logo designers required to guide clients through the copyright process?
• Copyright vs. Open source.
• When do you go beyond “being inspired” to outright “stealing”?
• Where can I find an IP lawyer in my area?

Worried about getting sued? What you need to know to protect yourself and more.

About Stuart

Stuart Carroll represents start-up and closely-held businesses engaged in entertainment, technology, fashion, retail and hospitality including a number of Design Studios in New York and California. Acting as an “outside general counsel” for these companies, Stuart advises his clients in all aspects of their business and legal affairs.

Stuart is an experienced litigator, pursuing and defending numerous copyright and trademark infringement matters along with more routine state court disputes. He was among the first attorneys to litigate issues involving domain names and the use of copyrighted materials on the web. He is admitted to the Bar in New York and California as well as numerous Federal Courts.

He serves on the Board of Directors for California Lawyers for the Arts. He has taught copyright law at Pepperdine University’s Law School and has instructed students and practitioners of the creative arts in seminars and workshops throughout Southern California and the U.S., including a recent entertainment forum for the South Carolina Bar Association. Stuart is also a licensed Real Estate Broker and assists his clients with their real estate needs, such as office leases and home purchases.

Stuart began his career as an Assistant District Attorney for Kings County (Brooklyn), New York and the Office of the New York Special Narcotics Prosecutor. He continues to handle criminal cases when his clients make some regrettable decisions. A native of Los Angeles, Stuart earned his B.A. in Economics from Brandeis University, and his J.D. from Boston University.