Research Symposium

BIO

Sophia Persichini is a double major in Political Science and Studio Art at Florida State University, set to graduate with honors in 2025. Sophia is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, and moved to Washington State, graduating from Moses Lake High School in 2022. Sophia combines her passion for law with her fine arts background. She aims to pursue a career in art and music entertainment law, specializing in copyright and intellectual property, with a focus on advocating for artists' rights.
Sophia serves on the executive board of FLAME (Fashion, Art, Entertainment & Media Law Club), FSU’s first creative law organization, where she facilitates events that connect artists with legal professionals. As a legal assistant at Brooks, LeBeouf, Foster, Gwartney & Hobbs, P.A., she conducts legal research and drafts documents.
Beyond her legal work, Sophia is deeply involved in the Tallahassee music scene, collaborating with local musicians and supporting their creative endeavors. At 96 Nation LLC, she books talent, drafts contracts, and uses her artistic skills to design logos, merchandise, and promotional materials. Through her work across law, music, and art, Sophia is dedicated to protecting creative rights and helping artists thrive.

A Legal Guide for Emerging Artists: Navigating Copyright, Contracts, and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

From minor art commissions to costly transactions of works, the lack of legal literacy among developing artists renders them vulnerable to exploitative practices and unclear agreements. It is essential to fill this knowledge gap with accessible resources that ensure fair treatment in art transactions and empower artists in the creative industry. By educating artists of the law through simplified terms and relevant information, a bridge is established between the different fields of creation and legal practice. This research examines challenges that young artists face in protecting their intellectual property, drafting contracts, and navigating the legal implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). It is conducted through interviews with legal professionals, analysis of peer-reviewed articles, and examinations of legal documents and cases to analyze key issues, including but not limited to copyright disputes, contract ambiguities, and the ethical considerations of AI-generated art and contracts. The preliminary challenges identified are addressed through a final guide tailored to the needs of artists, which simplifies legal concepts and provides resources such as contract templates. Key laws and questions are provided in the paper to give artists a basis on the most essential information to know before entering industry. Additionally, the complexities introduced by AI are addressed in the guide, advising along questions of artistic ownership and ethical considerations. The resulting starter legal guide contributes to fostering ethical practices and reducing power imbalances in the creative industry, promoting a more equitable and sustainable art economy.

Keywords: Art Law, Contracts, Artificial Intelligence, Copyright