The Imagine 2020 project is a survey and development effort designed to give Denver a renewed sense of direction in the promotion of arts, culture and creativity. It is a collaborative effort that seeks to engage all citizens. By documenting the thoughts and input of Denverites, Imagine 2020 will inform an effort to provide resources and collaborative efforts to support arts and culture in our city. A six-month study period will be followed by an evolving, multiyear program to engage citizens, build creative economies and provide an appreciation for the creative works around us.

You can contribute! Take the survey HERE​

Want to sell that old book or CD you have lying around? If you bought it (or even if it was manufactured) overseas, a recent court case could have made that illegal. The Supreme Court ruled that you can resell a copyrighted work and that has important implications.. Read More >​

Music sampling is not a sport for amateurs. There are a lot of myths out there and a lot of legal pitfalls. This blog post lays it out fairly simply. There's a lot more to it but here's a start: Read More >

Copyright protects songs and poems and paintings and books and… don't forget sculptures! Even iconic images like the Oscar statue can be protected by copyright. If it's protected by copyright, you can't make a reproduction of it. One company throwing Oscar parties learned this the hard way. Read More >​​

Sometimes a band's name makes all the difference. A band name is also a brand and is also a trademark. Naming a band takes serious consideration - it must be a great name but also can't be similar to any other name. Trademark law is very important when considering a band name. Here's a blog post that lays it out in layman's terms: Read More >

Reselling recorded music is as old as recorded music. We still have used CD stores and flea markets always have a good selection of old vinyl. But what about reselling mp3s and other digital files? Whether reselling digital files is legal (and, if so, to what extent) isn't clear at the moment. But ReDigi is going to give it a shot. Read More >

Contact: Jeremy Story
dovetail solutions
720.299.0070
jstory@dovetailsolutions.com  

— The Denver-based law firm will focus on small to mid-size businesses and artists —

DENVER — Intellectual property and entertainment lawyer David Ratner has formed Creative Law Network, a law firm dedicated to helping small to mid-size businesses and members of the creative arts community navigate complex legal issues. Mr. Ratner formerly was a partner at the Denver law firm Replin, Rhoades & Ratner LLC.

“I have had the privilege of representing some of the most interesting and entrepreneurial companies and individuals over the course of my law career, and I have formed Creative Law Network to meet their exacting needs,” said Mr. Ratner. “These companies desire excellent, relationship-based legal services delivered in a way that helps them truly understand their options. Creative Law Network is committed to delivering high-quality, reliable and timely results while maintaining a comfortable, friendly and personalized experience for clients.”

Mr. Ratner’s passion for helping clients protect their intellectual property rights began during his pre-law career in the music and entertainment management businesses as a tour manager, publicist, band manager and founder of his own management agency. In addition to representing corporations with complex business and intellectual property legal needs, Creative Law Network also represents clients in the creative arts community, including the music, film, visual arts, fashion, writing, publishing, and web design/development industries.

Mr. Ratner earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He is a published author in both the Denver University Law Review and the University of Denver Sports & Entertainment Law Journal and a frequent presenter for the University of Colorado, the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Small Business Development Center and several local organizations. 

Mr. Ratner also is an adjunct professor of Entertainment Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, co-chair of the Entertainment & Sports Section of the Colorado Bar Association and chairman of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Copyright Society of the USA. He also is actively involved in several nonprofits, including as a board member of the OneDrum Foundation, and a member of the Western States Arts Federation Music Task Force.