Thrive Law Discusses Piracy in St. Petersburg, Protecting $212 Million Economic Arts Impact
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (PRWEB) February 15, 2018 -- The arts are credited with a $212 million economic impact in St. Petersburg—and this doesn’t even take into account the ripple effect revenue generated by the contributions of artists and creative for-profit businesses to the economy.(1) As St. Petersburg continues to grow its reputation as an arts-rich community, public art, galleries, artisan shops and working studios dot the landscape of the downtown sector. Unfortunately, this growth has also contributed to a rise in arts piracy, according to renowned creative law firm in St. Pete, Thrive Law. A recent account of unauthorized sales of art reproductions in a shop in the St. Petersburg arts district has magnified the need to protect artists’ intellectual and creative property.(2)
St. Petersburg has a global reputation as a hip, artistic waterfront destination with a European flair.(3) Its arts community has grown by 44% and has directly generated 822 jobs (both full- and part-time). The city is now known for “seven arts districts; one arts destination.”(4) Thrive Law, a legal fixture within the arts community, points out that a fine line exists between intent to profit off unauthorized sales of artists’ works and looking for ways to promote the arts in St. Petersburg.
Jamie Moore Marcario, attorney and creator of Thrive Law, states that “artists need to protect their creative visions, and as an artist and entrepreneur myself, it’s my mission to help them do exactly that.”
Online piracy hurts emerging artists. Its impact on established artists is often cited, because it’s easier to put a value to it and it’s easily recognizable. However, it’s the damage beyond the red carpet that hits home. Independent creators—musicians, visual artists, film producers, photographers and other creatives such as app developers—lose essential income when their works are pirated. Additionally, the consequent loss of income prevents them from creative reinvestment in their work.(5) And when it comes right down to it, reproducing an artist’s work without his or her permission amounts to stealing.
Technically, taking a photo of a mural and posting it to Instagram, for example, is considered to be an unauthorized reproduction, but that doesn’t mean artists would sue tourists and individuals. The key lies in whether an artist has registered for a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. Protection of intellectual property is an important step for emerging artists—one that established artists can afford.
“Artists on the verge of establishing themselves need help in transforming their artistic endeavors into an ‘artrepreneurial’ business by identifying and protecting their creative work,” Marcario points out.
Thrive Law, with roots firmly planted in St. Petersburg, is located in the city’s Warehouse Arts District, to further support and bring attention to the need to protect artists. The firm, previously known as Uncommon Legal, continues its same purpose—to help artists and entrepreneurs overcome legal obstacles so that they can thrive by doing what they love in a digital and disruptive age fraught with rampant piracy. “The arts are central to St. Petersburg, and I want my law firm to be at the heart of that economic sector,” Marcario reflected.
To attend Thrive Law’s upcoming ribbon cutting ceremony on March 15, 2018, call 727-300-1990.
About Thrive Law
Thrive Law helps creatives and entrepreneurs overcome legal obstacles so that they are free to do what they love—write, perform, act, paint, compose and innovate creatively. The firm, led by Jamie Moore Marcario, transforms artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors into an “artrepreneurial” business by identifying and protecting creative works. Leveraging its collective experience in the arts and intellectual property protection, Thrive Law identifies and safeguards trademarks and copyrights, while also navigating the maze of financial, tax and insurance details that often stymie and paralyze big ideas. Services are tailored to clients’ needs and budgets, regardless of where they are in their business growth.
For more information, contact http://www.thrivelaw.com
1. Staff. “2015 St. Petersburg Arts & Culture Impact Report.” Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts. Web.
2. Spata, Christopher. “He Tried to Profit From St. Petersburg’s Murals, Then Felt the Artists’ Wrath.” Tampa Bay Times. 23 June 2017. Web.
3. Boatwright, Josh. “St. Pete Gaining Global Fame as Hip Destination.” Tampa Bay Online. 19 January 2014. Web.
4. Staff. “Seven Arts Districts: One Arts Destination.” stpete.org/arts_and_culture. Web.
5. Granados, Nelson. “How Online Piracy Hurts Emerging Artists.” Forbes. 1 February 2016. Web.
Karla Jo Helms, JoTo PR, http://www.jotopr.com, +1 727-777-4625 Ext: 802, [email protected]
Share this article