

Art in Brief
Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs
Have you ever wondered how the law shapes the world of art? In Art in Brief, a podcast for the Center for Art Law, Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs break down the biggest, most exciting questions about art, law, and art law - delving into everything from copyright disputes and contracts, to art theft, provenance, and intellectual property. Cover Art by Kira Kotler Design and Music by Roy Tabet, Edited by Paris SistilliFor more information check out the Center for Art Law: https://itsartlaw.org/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 5, 2025 • 46min
Protecting Cultural Heritage in Ukraine
Paris and Andrea are joined by Roksolana Makar and Anastasiia Olexii to discuss how Ukrainians are fighting back against Russia’s assault on their cultural heritage From documenting destroyed sites to preserving artifacts and seeking justice for cultural war crimes, they show how protecting heritage is central to defending the nation's identity.For more information on HeMo, the Ukrainian Heritage Monitoring Lab, the Raphael Lemkin Society and Wall Evidence, check out the resources below! People of Culture Taken Away By The War: https://pen.org.ua/en/lyudy-kultury-yakykh-zabrala-vijna HeMo:https://www.heritage.in.ua/War Archive: https://ukrainewararchive.org/eng/ Wall Evidence: https://wallevidence.mizhvukhamy.com/ https://instagram.com/wallevidence Raphael Lemkin Society:https://www.facebook.com/lemkin.societyhttps://lemkin.org.ua/index_en.htmlhttps://www.instagram.com/lemkin_society?igsh=ZHp6eGx5ZG1kYzVx

8 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 55min
Art Under the First Amendment: Freedom, Limits, and Controversy
Simon Frankel, a judge and law lecturer, and Stephen Urice, a law professor and former archaeologist, dive deep into the tug-of-war between artistic expression and government control. They discuss the implications of the First Amendment on visual arts, touching on the controversial cancellation of an exhibition and landmark obscenity cases. The conversation navigates the complexities of defining art, legal interpretations, and the balance between censorship and free expression. Their insights shed light on the evolving legal landscape surrounding art and its critical importance in contemporary society.

Jul 31, 2025 • 34min
Inside the FBI Art Crime Team: From Undercover Agents to Founders of ALI
In this episode, Paris and Andrea sit down with former FBI Art Crime Team agents Ronnie Walker and Dave Bass.They share incredible stories from their time undercover, including recovering a multi-million dollar stolen pair of ruby slippers and bringing one of America’s most infamous art forgers to justice.Now out of the Bureau, Ronnie and Dave reveal how their experiences led them to co-found The Art Legacy Institute, and what’s next in their mission to protect artists and their work.A big thanks to Eva Bella for guiding the research for this episode.Connect with Ronnie and Dave Here: https://bsky.app/profile/artcrimeguy.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/artcrimeguyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnie-walker-b64953176/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bass-97a11b297/For More Information: Art Legacy Institute: https://www.artlegacyinstitute.org/ https://www.instagram.com/artlegacyinstitute_org/https://bsky.app/profile/artlegacyinstitute.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/artlegacy_orgAlitheon: https://alitheon.com/ AWS: https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/?ams%23interactive-card-vertical%23pattern-data--2066256937.filter=%257B%2522filters%2522%253A%255B%255D%257D Ruby Slippers Case: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/04/30/feature/the-case-of-dorothys-stolen-ruby-slippers/Earl Washington Case: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/arts/earl-washington-woodblocks-art-fraud.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZE8.RkOq.-8-4beaBhG5o&smid=url-share

12 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 18min
The Debate Over Artist Royalties
Dive into the heated discussion on Artist Resale Rights and the varying practices across countries. Explore whether artists should earn royalties from resales and the historical context behind this debate. The conversation also highlights ethical dilemmas and how market dynamics influence artist compensation. This is a captivating look at the intersection of art and economics!

May 27, 2025 • 35min
Navigating Nazi-Era Looted Art with Raymond Dowd
Paris and Andrea sit down with Raymond Dowd, one of the foremost voices in art law and cultural and intellectual property.Together, they speak with Raymond about his experiences working on cases involving Nazi-era looted art, with a particular focus on the case Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation.They also explore the complexities of navigating conflicting international legal systems, as well as the postwar incentives that fueled the acquisition of stolen art.

10 snips
May 13, 2025 • 30min
AI, Copyright, and Art
Atreya Mathur, a legal expert specializing in AI and copyright law, dives into the intriguing case of Thaler v Perlmutter. She explores the complexities of AI-generated art and its copyright implications, discussing key issues of ownership and ethical dilemmas faced by artists. The conversation touches on the balance between human creativity and AI’s role in art creation, along with the evolving stance of the U.S. Copyright Office on authorship. Attendees will gain insight into the legal challenges artists encounter in this new frontier.

Apr 2, 2025 • 24min
Owning Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo’s face is everywhere—on tequila bottles, dolls, clothing, prepaid Mastercards, and beyond. But who actually owns the rights to her image? In this episode, we unravel the complexities of trademarking an artist’s likeness and how it has shaped, and sometimes distorted, Kahlo’s legacy. Can someone truly claim ownership over a person’s image after their death? And if so, under what terms? Tune in to explore the legal and ethical questions behind the commercialization of Frida Kahlo. Read more about Frida Kahlo's cases on the Center for Art Law's website: https://itsartlaw.org/2024/06/20/owning-frida-kahlo-the-frida-kahlo-corporation-and-trademark-law/ https://itsartlaw.org/2019/08/02/rolling-over-in-her-grave-frida-kahlos-trademarks-and-commodified-legacy/Register for the Center for Art Law's new Summer School:https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-summer-school-2025/ Link to the FKC's Website: https://www.fridakahlocorporation.com/*note: we incorrectly named Mara Romeo, Mara Kahlo

Mar 10, 2025 • 25min
Art and the Environment
This week in ART IN BRIEF, Paris and Andrea explore fascinating case studies and complex questions that arise when art meets the environment.What happens when art and artists engage with the natural world? How have they been challenged by regulations and legal limitations over the years? Our new episode traces the hisotry of land art and legal battles that have shaped its evolution.Don’t miss this deep dive into the legal and ethical complexities of art and the environment!https://www.eventbrite.com/e/over-the-river-when-art-and-law-make-landfall-tickets-1138440438999?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

10 snips
Feb 17, 2025 • 14min
The Getty v Italy
Dive into the captivating legal saga between a major American museum and Italy over a 2,000-year-old statue. Discover the complex history of this artifact and the contentious issues surrounding art repatriation and cultural heritage. The discussion delves into the impact of ongoing legal battles and their broader implications for museums and global art ownership. Join the exploration of how this historic conflict highlights the tensions between cultural preservation and rightful ownership.

Jan 27, 2025 • 18min
Welcome to Art in Brief
Hosts Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs sit down with Irina Tarsis and Atreya Mathur to introduce the Center for Art Law's new podcast, Art in Brief.