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Art and Luxury Assets Lawyers

Providing holistic legal advice for the art and luxury asset market.

Our art team understands the unique needs and concerns of participants in the art world and can provide a full range of legal advice for:

  • Artists’ estates

  • Creative industry professionals

  • Collectors

  • Art and antique dealers

  • Charitable foundations

  • Galleries

  • NFT Disputes, Litigation & Copyright Issues

We can assist with everything ranging from art and property transactions, intellectual property protections, art financing and digital trading to dispute resolution and art litigation. Our art team is equipped to handle all art and luxury asset matters with expert knowledge and advice.

Alternatively call us on 02076860000 or send your enquiry to ask@dragonargent.com

 

OFFICIAL LEGAL PARTNER

 
 

Legal Services for the Art, Luxury Assets, Digital Markets

Dragon Argent’s expert art lawyers provide legal support for high-net-worth individuals and businesses. Whether you are transacting, tax planning or investing, we have the right lawyers with a range of international expertise to help. As creative industry specialists, we aim to spot problems before they arise and help solve them when they do. At any stage of your project or career, come to us for advice, ideas, an exchange of knowledge and a fresh perspective; all focused on your aspirations or commercial objectives.

We can offer a range of support in art law including:

  • Acquisition and sale of art and luxury assets

  • Authenticity and provenance issues

  • Consignment agreements

  • Art finance, investment and third-party guarantees

  • Art and estate succession planning

  • Copyright protection and licensing

  • Art litigation and dispute resolution

  • Gifts and philanthropy involving artworks and collections

  • Global mobility: export, import and VAT

  • Tax Advice

  • Restitution and recovery of stolen artwork

  • Reputation management and handling media

Get in touch and speak to one of our specialist art law advisors today.

 

Margherita Barbagallo

Head of Litigation, IP & Art Law

Membership: Professional Advisors to the International Art Market (PAIAM)

Hear what our clients think:

“Margherita was absolutely brilliant to deal with. What was a very stressful situation, she dealt with everything quickly, professionally and with real care for attention as well as being easy to speak too. I could not recommend her or her team more highly!”

Elle Osborne | EO Estate Agents Ltd

 

OUR KEY ART LAW SERVICES

Dragon Argent offers solutions on a broad range of commercial, tax, regulatory and contentious issues in art law.

 

Artists

We can assist artists (represented or unrepresented) with advice on structuring their business, consignments, online and studio sales, website terms, moving artworks between countries, licensing the use of copyright in artworks and working with third parties such as fabricators, installers and art handlers.

 

Contracts

We can advise on any contracts you may need to negotiate, enter into or dispute, such as licensing agreements, collaboration agreements, agency agreements, consignment agreements or representation agreements.

Art & Luxury Assets

We can help artists, collectors, advisors and other intermediaries secure and protect their assets. Whether it involves art, classic cars, wine, yachts, jewellery or other luxury collectables, our international team of experts understands the needs and challenges within this specialist field to best protect your interests.

 

Tax & Estate Succession

Our specialist team can help you to identify your assets and put the appropriate arrangements in place to ensure that your legacy is protected and preserved, but equally that ownership security is not compromised in the process. This includes providing guidance on the complexities surrounding the rapidly evolving world of virtual assets, to avoid unexpected tax implications.

Digital Artwork & Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

The creation and sale of art through minted NFTs has allowed for a new and exciting medium, but the NFT market can be intimidating to navigate. Our digital assets specialists can advise on everything from corporate structuring and intellectual property through to tax, financial claims and estate planning.

 

Copyright & Intellectual Property Disputes

Generally, artistic works are automatically protected by copyright in the UK. If your art has appeared anywhere without your consent, it may be an infringement of your rights. Our IP specialists can help you protect, defend and/or enforce your rights.

 
 

Whether you require assistance with a transaction or a potential dispute, we understand the sensitivities surrounding art and luxury assets. We want to help you navigate this nuanced terrain.

 
 

GOT AN ART LAW QUESTION?

Dragon Argent are an experienced art law firm, based in the heart of central London. Reach out to our expert art law solicitors by sending your questions to ask@dragonargent.com or fill out the below enquiry form.

 

Alternatively you can call us on 02076860000

 
 

Frequently Asked Art Law Questions

  • Artistic works are automatically protected by copyright law in the UK and this protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. This applies to literary, musical, dramatic and artistic works (including illustrations, graphics, photography, sculptures, and more).

  • Usually, copyrights belong to the author or creator of that work. In some circumstances, the copyright may pass from the original creator to an employer or third party.

  • To fully protect your art, you should speak to a legal expert and seek advice on your intellectual property rights.

    In addition, it is wise to:

    • keep records of your work;

    • mark all work with a copyright notice, such as the © symbol (the symbol itself does not confer any legal rights, but it does notify everyone of your claim to ownership); and/or

    • add watermarks or unique identifiers to your work.

  • If an individual or company is using your art without your consent, we recommend collecting as much evidence as possible.

    Next, speak to a legal advisor with experience in intellectual property and the art industry who can assess the details of your case and advise on the best course of action.

  • We see this time and again – an artist using an existing work, without that original creator’s authorisation, as the basis for their artwork. Since the mid-20th century there has been a proliferation of appropriation art, amplified by the technological ease of access to information. This has no doubt also contributed to the rise of copyright infringement lawsuits over the years. Learn more on how to avoid copyright infringement?

  • Over the course of the last 50 years, artificial intelligence (“AI”) has developed significantly, with many companies increasingly embedding AI in their products, services, processes and decision-making. As the use of AI has become more widespread, it has highlighted more than ever the need for regulatory accountability and guidance. Yet, whereas AI is developing continuously at rapid speed, regulators across jurisdictions are struggling to keep up. One of the sectors where these shortcomings have become glaringly obvious is the art industry, where issues related to intellectual property rights and attribution are on the rise. This article considers the current regulatory framework (or lack thereof) around AI and how to navigate through these unchartered waters. Learn more.

  • The UK is well known for its rich cultural heritage and booming art scene, making the UK, particularly London, one of the best places to open an art gallery. Like any other business, you will need clarity on how your gallery will operate, the location, what legal protections to have in place, and whether you plan to hire any employees. 

    Get the essentials for starting up and running your own gallery in our practical guide here.

  • Intellectual property (“IP”) is a highly valuable part of a business. It can take many forms but essentially consists of intangible assets including copyrights, trade marks, patents, designs and trade secrets. Securing IP rights can be fundamental to the commercial success of a business seeking to stay ahead of its field and seeking to protect its branding and customer loyalty. Indeed, the value of IP is also recognised by financial institutions, who regularly provide loans secured against IP.

    Learn more.