Feingold Jewelry: Jeweler/Attorney

About Us: SarahSays

2008-09-28T18:47:00.000-04:00

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/etc/article/about-us-sarah-aka-sarahsays/2569/

See me on Etsy!

You be the Judge: Judging Pretty Woman

2008-09-18T06:31:00.001-04:00

Sometimes in order to play judge and fully investigate a situation, I have to acquire evidence. And so, many times when I read an intellectual property dispute regarding a musical work, I purchase and listen to the music at issue. Yes, truth be told, I have an “infringement” section on my MP3 player.

Unfortunately, more often than not, I will later learn that parties settled out of court and cannot discuss the details of the case. So then when my play list brings the allegedly infringing song back into my legal ears, I am left to wonder what exactly happened. Thankfully I am also often left with some pretty cool music.

To me, the only thing worse than a song stuck in your head is not knowing whether or not that song is legit. To avoid this situation, this time instead of us playing judge I’m going to leave the job to a select few: the Supreme Court of the United States. However, please feel free to comment on this case and let us know what you would decide if you were the judge.
In 1964, Roy Orbison released a song titled “Oh, Pretty Woman” which reached number one in the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s lyrics paint a romantic picture of a man watching a beautiful woman and at the last minute she turns around.

Here’s a sample of Orbison’s lyrics:

Pretty Woman, walking down the street,Pretty Woman, the kind I like to meet,Pretty Woman, I don’t believe you,You’re not the truth,No one could look as good as you

In 1989, 2 Live Crew recorded a song titled “Pretty Woman” and sampled the distinctive baseline from the Orbison song. 2 Live Crew’s lyrics describe a “bald-headed woman” a “two timing woman” and a “big hairy woman.”

Here’s a sample of 2 Live Crew’s lyrics:

Big hairy woman you need to shave that stuffBig hairy woman you know I bet it’s toughBig hairy woman all that hair it ain’t legit‘Cause you look like ‘Cousin It’

Almost a year later, after nearly a quarter of a million copies of 2 Live Crew's recording had been sold, Orbison’s publisher, Acuff-Rose Music sued 2 Live Crew and argued that the fair use doctrine did not permit commercial reuse of copyright material. District Court granted summary judgment for 2 Live Crew, reasoning that the song was a parody which “quickly degenerates into a play on words, substituting predictable lyrics with shocking ones” to show “how bland and banal the Orbison is” and its commercial purpose was no bar to fair use. The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed and remanded finding that “every commercial use … is presumptively … unfair.”

In 1994, the United States Supreme Court heard the case and in a seminal fair use decision decided in 2 Live Crew’s favor, thus greatly expanding the fair use doctrine to protect parodies created for profit.

According to the court,
“[i]t was error for the Court of Appeals to conclude that the commercial nature of 2 Live Crew's parody of 'Oh, Pretty Woman' rendered it presumptively unfair. No such evidentiary presumption is available to address either the first factor, the character and purpose of the use, or the fourth, market harm, in determining whether a transformative use, such as parody, is a fair one. The court also erred in holding that 2 Live Crew had necessarily copied excessively from the Orbison original, considering the parodic purpose of the use. We therefore reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Check out this site to hear the songs for yourself. So, although the judges have spoken, you be the judge!

Electronic Copyright Registration Now Available!!

2008-08-17T20:48:00.001-04:00

I am happy to report that the U.S. Copyright Office is now accepting electronic filing of copyright registrations. Previously, I reported that the Copyright Office was conducting a beta test of this system.

Advantages of Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) system include:
• Lower filing fee of $35 for a basic claim (for online filings only)
• Fastest processing time
• Online status tracking
• Secure payment by credit or debit card, electronic check, or Copyright Office deposit account

The U.S. Copyright Office's website has a great tutorial to help get you started. I have registered some of my work using the old school paper system (my personal favorite) and I tried out the beta test of the web-based registration system (save yourself a headache and turn off your pop up blocker), but I have yet to try out the eCO system. If you get a chance try out the eCO, please let me know what you think!

You be the Judge: Copycat Caskets

2008-08-06T19:55:00.002-04:00

When walking through certain neighborhoods of New York City, I often am approached by entrepreneurs selling “brand name” items at unbelievably low prices. These allegedly designer bags, watches, DVDs and perfume may look similar to the real deal, but chances are the products are knockoffs and illegal. It’s easy to doubt the authenticity of an item yanked from a garbage bag by a guy standing on a crowded corner whispering “handbag,” but the concern over knockoffs is not necessarily limited to this type of situation: take the case of the knockoff caskets.

The York Group is a Pennsylvania casket maker which sells wood and metal caskets nationwide.
Wuxi Taihu Tractor Co. is a Chinese casket manufacturer.

In a 2006 lawsuit, State District Judge Elizabeth Ray, ordered that Wuxi place the words “Made in China” on caskets built in the Asian country and sold to U.S. distributors, as required by federal law. The judge also ordered that Wuxi cease distributing copycat caskets.

In the current case, York contends that Wuxi violated the court order by distributing “knockoff” and “look-a-like” caskets which copy York’s "hardware, design lines and paint jobs." According to York’s attorney, “this is part of a continuous, ongoing battle that all U.S. manufacturers have.”

Wuxi’s casket designer claims that he doesn’t use York caskets as a standard for his ideas. And others argue that all caskets are inherently similar and question “how many ways can you make a casket?”

Although I was unable to find images of the caskets in question, you be the judge. What do you think about protecting the design of a casket? For more information about U.S. Copyright law check out http://www.copyright.gov/; for information on U.S. Patent and Trademark Law check out http://www.uspto.gov/.

You be the Judge: Naked M&Ms

2008-07-03T21:20:00.001-04:00

I’ll admit it: as Etsy's in-house attorney, I love reading legal disputes and thinking about what important issues each side should stress. I especially like to analyze pending copyright, trademark, and patent cases. I daydream about what points I would argue if I were the lawyer for each side and then I put on my imaginary judge’s robe and make a decision.
Well, here’s your chance again. If you were the judge, what would you decide on this real-life on-going legal battle? (Remember, this issue hasn't gone to court yet).

Robert Burck (aka the Naked Cowboy), clad only in underpants, boots, a cowboy hat, and a strategically placed guitar has entertained New York City Times Square tourists for over ten years.

Mars, Inc., which makes M&Ms, and Chute Gerdeman Inc., an Ohio advertising agency, released two Times Square billboards and print ads showing an M&M strumming a guitar, dressed in a white cowboy hat, cowboy boots and underpants, alongside views of New York.

Read the rest of the article and have your chance to play Judge here: http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/reviews/article/you-be-the-judge-naked-mms/2102/

You be the Judge: Vuitton and Darfur

2008-05-13T07:30:00.001-04:00

Nadia Plesner is a Danish artist. According to her website, the illustration “Simple Living” was inspired by “the media’s constant cover of completely meaningless things. My thought was: Since doing nothing but wearing designer bags and small ugly dogs is enough to get you on a [magazine] cover, maybe it is worth a try for people who actually deserve and needs attention.” One hundred percent of the profits from the Simple Living t-shirts and posters will be donated to Divest for Darfur.

In February, 2008 an attorney for Louis Vuitton Malletier (“Louis Vuitton”) sent Plesner a letter asking that she discontinue making and selling the Simple Living products.

Read the rest of my article here: http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/reviews/article/you-be-the-judge-vuitton-and-darfur/1710/

How-to research trademarks

2008-04-02T19:53:00.002-04:00

Hello!

The next time you’re eating a candy bar, a bag of chips, or even breakfast cereal, take a closer look at the packaging. You may see various symbols following the brand name or the logo. What do these symbols mean?

To find out, read this Storque article:

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/how-to-research-trademarks/1511/

Winding -- sterling silver pendant

2008-03-01T07:22:00.002-05:00

I love to create simple but unique jewelry. My jewelry is bright and comfortable with clean lines. I think a women's neck is sexy and I like to create jewelry to emphasize this fact.

This sterling silver pendant is absolutely amazing. I love it. I almost do not want to sell it. The pendant is around 1.5 inches (3 cm) wide (at its widest part). It features five bails so that the chain goes around the pendant. The 18" silver toned chain becomes part of the pendant, as one complete piece of art. You can remove this chain and replace it with another chain for a whole new look.

A note about this necklace: I adore it. There I said it. I made one of these for my friend, she refuses to take it off. It's just so unique and beautiful and I love it. That's it. That's all.

Promoting your online shop -- contest alternatives

2008-02-23T14:02:00.001-05:00

Many sellers and Etsy Teams have approached Sara (Etsy's Teams Coordinator, sarawearsskirts) and me with questions concerning contests. After all, a contest seems like a creative and fun way to publicize your shop or Etsy Team and to get sales. However, there are legal issues to consider when thinking about having a contest. Here's some news you can use from both sides of this issue.

To read the rest of this article, check out The Storque.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/etsyNews/article/promoting-your-etsy-shop-contest-alternatives/1223/

California's Lead in Jewelry Law

2008-02-16T15:12:00.001-05:00

Laws, laws, laws. There are so many laws! And every day we are all affected by these laws. Thank goodness most laws exist for good reasons. The intent of many laws is to promote the health and safety of society or to help society function more smoothly.

When you sell things online, you need to make sure you comply with a number of laws. And I’m not just talking about the Etsy policies (like Etsy’s Terms of Use); I’m also talking about state or country government laws. For example, each person must comply with the laws of their local area in addition to the laws regarding the actual items made. It can be overwhelming, to say the least, to keep up to date with these laws. And an even more overwhelming thought: laws tend to change.

In my Storque column, I will feature laws that are relevant to the Etsy community. For this article I will examine California’s Lead-Containing Jewelry Law. In order to help protect children from exposure to lead, which can cause many health issues including behavioral problems, learning disabilities, organ failure and even death, California enacted the Lead-Containing Jewelry Law. This law intends to limit the amount of lead in jewelry, including children’s jewelry and body piercing jewelry. The law is effective for children’s jewelry as of September 1, 2007 and for all other jewelry March 1, 2008.

To read the rest of this article, check out the Storque: http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/etsyNews/article/safety-first-californias-lead-in-jewelry-law/1179/

Love

2008-01-07T20:57:00.001-05:00

This unique sterling silver heart pendant can be worn in a number of ways. It's so fun! I'm very excited with this piece.

Consignment

2008-01-05T18:23:00.000-05:00

Success!

After gathering up every ounce of confidence, and samples of your work, you finally get a gallery or shop owner to sit down with you. And she wants to sell your work! Suddenly visions of fame, fortune and crafting dance around your head. And then the owner suggests a consignment.

But what exactly does consignment mean and how do you know if it's a good deal for you? Wholesale means the artist sells the product directly to the retailer at a bulk rate. With a typical consignment, the artist supplies the store with products for free. When an item sells, the artist will receive the proceeds of the sale minus a commission. The commission is usually around 40 to 60 percent of the sale price (whether wholesaling or consigning, please price your work accordingly). That means the artist will not get paid until the work sells. If the work does not sell, the retailer may return the work to the artist.A consignment deal may benefit an artist. A consignment might make it easier to get items in many outlets. Also, consignments can be ideal for new or risky work, and an artist might be able to pull back items or switch a line during the run. But there are some tricks to the trade that you should watch out for. Before you agree to sell on consignment, consider the following:

1) Do research and use common sense. Unfortunately, retailers come and go. You don’t want a retailer to come and go with your art, without paying you. Before you place your work in a retail establishment, you might want to ask for references or lists of other artists exhibiting there. Ask the references about their experiences. When in doubt, avoid large orders until you have built a level of trust.

2) Get all the retailer’s details. You might want to ask for tax IDs, full names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. Ask for financial or credit information. That way you will be prepared to contact the retailer if necessary.

3) Get all the details of the agreement. You will benefit from a written consignment agreement. The agreement should cover (for example): the full inventory, the retail prices, the length of time of the consignment, payment information, the store’s responsibility for damage or theft, the store’s fees, return policies, display policies, shipping responsibilities, promotional responsibilities, insurance, legal fees, termination, discounting, and any obligations to post a sign regarding the consignment. Both parties should sign this agreement. You may want to use your own consignment agreement. If the retailer supplies you with a consignment agreement, make sure you agree to each clause before you sign it. Do not be afraid to negotiate.

4) Stay in contact with the retailer. Regular communication may alert you to any problems with the retailer and it can also help you prepare for success. For example, if you know the retailer is running low on your most popular item, you will be prepared for a re-order.

5) Know when to quit. It’s up to you to decide if a relationship is not working out. If you experience late payments or suspect financial problems, you may want to take your work back and move your talents elsewhere.

Check out my column on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/the-ins-and-outs-of-consignment/812/

Etsy in the New York Times

2007-12-17T19:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the New York times published a great article on Etsy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/magazine/16Crafts-t.html?em&ex=1198040400&en=f6aed7d6861c7a73&ei=5070

My favorite part is where they mention the "company lawyer." Yeah, that's me!

Copyright for Artists- Quick and Easy Copyright Protection

2007-12-05T11:57:00.001-05:00

After almost 4 years of writing, editing, thinking, and writing some more, I finished my book! It is now available on Etsy at www.attorneysarah.etsy.com.

I can't believe it's done! Check it out!

Speaking to Artists

2007-11-30T11:06:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday I presented a seminar to the Bead Society of Greater New York (http://nybead.org/). I spoke to around 100 bead and jewelry artists. The seminar took place at F.I.T.

I became a lawyer to help artists. Through these seminars I really feel that I am accomplishing my goal. And, of course, I also spread the word about http://www.etsy.com/ and http://www.buyhandmade.org/.

After the seminar I received some great feedback. One attendee, an attorney, said that she did not find intellectual property law very interesting in law school but my energy and presentation made her view this topic in a whole other light. And many others told me how excited they are to buy and sell on Etsy.

If you would like me to speak to your group, please check out my website: http://www.sarahfeingold.com/ for more information. Contact me! My schedule is filling up and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Pull my finger fred

2007-10-21T10:53:00.000-04:00

Sometimes a court case comes along that really affects my life. And sometimes a court case just makes me laugh and want to share it with the world. JCW Investments, Inc. v. Novelty, Inc., 2007 WL 817673 (7th Cir., March 20, 2007) is entertaining but also illustrates an important copyright question: where is the line between an idea and expression?

“Pull My Finger Fred” is a doll manufactured by Tekky Toys. Fred is characterized as “a white, middle-aged, overweight man with black hair and a receding hairline, sitting in an armchair wearing a tank top and blue pants” who makes farting sounds and tells jokes when his finger is squeezed. In 2001 another company, Novelty, introduced a similar doll, “Fartman.” Fred and Fartman both feature crooked smiles, balding heads with black hair, large protruding noses, blue pants and white tank tops. Two of Fartman’s seven jokes are the same as Fred’s. In 2002, Fred’s manufacturer filed a U.S. copyright infringement action against Novelty and the court determined that Novelty had infringed upon their copyright. Novelty appealed.

According to the court, the idea of a farting doll is not protected. However, Novelty took more than the idea; Novelty took the expression. According to the court, “Novelty could have created another plush doll of a middle-aged farting man that would seem nothing like Fred. He could, for example, have a blond mullet and wear flannel, have a nose that is drawn on rather than protruding substantially from the rest of the head, be standing rather than ensconced in an armchair, and be wearing shorts rather than blue pants.”

Artists should remember that ideas are generally free for all, while expression may be protected with U.S. Copyright. Use your best judgment when creating art inspired by an existing work. Also, be careful about alleging copying when a work utilizes a similar idea. If Fartman had a blond mullet and wore flannel, the case might have been decided differently. Unfortunately, the line between an idea and expression is difficult to locate and thus must be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Not all fabric is created equal

2007-09-25T11:24:00.000-04:00

I have seen a lot of forum debate on the use of fabric in creations. I hope to shed a little light on this complicated topic.

*Not all Fabric is Created Equal:*

When discussing United States copyright and fabric, usually someone brings up the fact that if fabric is covered by copyright, then every piece of fabric clothing, and every fabric pillow, bag, and headband violates copyright. This argument is simply not true.

According to U.S. Copyright Law, in order for a fabric pattern to qualify for copyright protection it must “rise to the level of artistic design.” For example, a drawing or photograph printed on cloth would likely meet this test but a simple white sheet is probably not eligible for copyright protection.

However, where is the line? When is a piece of fabric just barely eligible for copyright protection and when does it fall short? There is little case law on this subject and both legal scholars and judges may disagree. Ultimately, this becomes a question for the court to decide.

In conclusion, not all fabric is created equal. Before you use of the fabric you must examine the fabric itself because not every fabric pattern is entitled to copyright protection. I will examine other issues associated with using fabric and creating art in subsequent articles. Please stay tuned. For more information on U.S. Copyright Law visit www.copyright.gov.

Sideshow Law School

2007-09-09T20:55:00.000-04:00

According to a Newsday.com article (http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-eak0831,0,3991871.story?track=rss), Eduardo Arrocha, aka Eak the Geek, a popular Coney Island entertainer, has decided to trade in his bed of nails for a new type of perceived torture: law school. Eduardo said that he wants to be a "freak lawyer." He hopes to work with "alternative people ... all the so-called riff-raff, to give them legal representation that is not judgmental."

I went to law school for a similar reason. As an artist myself, I become a lawyer to help others like me. I think this is a wonderful reason to go to law school. Good luck Eduardo. I’m sorry you have to wear a tie.

The Un-Fun One

2007-09-06T11:07:00.000-04:00

As an in house attorney, it's my job to think of the worst and plan plan plan. And most of the time I feel like if there's fun, it's my job to poke at that fun until the fun is less fun. Oh well, I guess I'm just doing my job.

Seventy Teenagers and Me

2007-08-14T16:35:00.000-04:00

This weekend I presented a seminar at ArtPeace (www.artpeace.org). I spoke to approximately seventy creative and entrepreneurial Rochester, New York teenagers. The students have been working all summer on projects such as photography, writing, music, web design, jewelry making and painting. After my talk, a few students stayed behind to chat with me about intellectual property and then the director gave me a tour of the facility.

I really enjoyed giving my talk at ArtPeace. But even more than the talk, I enjoyed talking with the students and faculty and learning more about the ArtPeace projects. The energy in the building was unbelievable and I couldn't help but leave filled with inspiration.

News from the bar

2007-08-05T09:41:00.000-04:00

As one would imagine, the bar exam was not fun. But for me, even worse than studying for the exam, and taking the exam, was waiting for the results. I felt completely helpless. I took the July bar exam and had to wait until November for the results. Yes, that's four months.

I know many people who opted to take the essay portion of the bar exam on the computer. At the time I sat for this exam, it was not an option for everyone. I considered it. However, the technology was so new that I thought that a good old pen and paper was much more reliable.

Last week bar examiners in New York reported a "sofware glitch" that caused test takers to experience problems saving and uploading essays. According to this article http://www.abajournal.com/weekly/ny_bar_essays_recovered students were having problems uploading the essays and the Board of Law Examiners was trying to determine if any essays were lost. Apparently, test takers will be emailed when their essays are located.

Even though it’s been a few years since I played the bar exam game, the memory of the event is still fresh in my head. I really hope everything works out for those affected. Although I know the helpless feeling is hard to shake.

ArtPeace

2007-07-28T07:39:00.000-04:00

ArtPeace http://artpeace.org/ asked if I would speak to their students on intellectual property law. ArtPeace is an amazing organization that transforms education and creates social change by developing strengths in underserved youth and adults, through the integration of arts, recreation, technology and entrepreneurship. I am honored they want me to speak.

I have never presented to 14-20 year olds before. I am very excited to speak to a group of passionate young artists who are interested in this topic. I hope that I can find a way to bring the topic to life for them. I have a few weeks to prepare and I hope I can write a fun yet informative lesson plan. I hope they like me :o)

Nominative Fair Use

2007-07-20T08:10:00.000-04:00

Many individuals have asked me when a brand name or a trademark may be used in a product description. Here is some general legal information on that subject.

In the U.S. there is a specific "fair use" defense to trademark infringement called "nominative fair use". It is a defense to trademark infringement in the United States, by which a person may use the trademark of another as a reference to describe the other product, or to compare it to their own. A court in the U.S. determined that you may refer to the trademark of another if: 1) the product or service can not be readily identified without using the trademark; 2) you use only so much of the mark as is necessary for the identification (for example, you use the words but not the font or symbol); and 3) you do not suggest sponsorship or endorsement by the trademark holder. This applies even if the use is commercial. Your use should not confuse buyers as to the source of the product and your use cannot dilute the trademark.

For example, an auto repair shop specialized in repairing Volkswagen cars. The shop’s ads used the work “Volkswagen,” a trademark. The court ruled that the shop was not liable for trademark infringement so long as they did not claim or imply that they had any business relationship with the Volkswagen Company.

Craft Show Conversation

2007-07-15T10:01:00.000-04:00

Last summer I was selling my jewelry at a craft show when a man approached my table.

"Beautiful work." he said. "But shouldn’t you be doing your homework."
"My homework?" I asked, "I don’t have any homework, I’m finished with school."
"Don’t you think you should be in school?" he asked.
"Oh, I’m done with school" I replied.
"You’re done?"
"Yes, I’m done." I said, as I handed him my business card. "If you ever need an attorney, here’s my card."

De Minimis Use

2007-07-12T05:46:00.000-04:00

I have had discussions lately with artists who want to use pre-existing materials in their art. Many times an artist may find it beneficial to obtain permission to use the pre-existing art prior using the copyrighted works. However, if the artist only uses a tiny bit, this *might* be allowed under the de minimis use defense.

In some cases, that court will permit copying, even without conducting a fair use defense analysis, if the amount copied is extremely small (de minimis). The theory is that this type of copying does not rise to the level to constitute infringement. A court may examine whether an average audience would recognize an appropriation as a qualitatively and quantitatively significant portion of the copyright holder’s work as a whole. There is no bright line test for determining a de minimis use. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney in your area.

The Poor Man's Copyright

2007-07-08T10:40:00.000-04:00

When discussing copyright law it never fails that someone will bring up the poor man’s copyright as an alternative to copyright registration. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the poor man’s copyright, this is the practice of mailing a copy of your work to yourself and not opening the envelope when received.

Surly the cost of the stamp is a lot less than actual copyright registration. Not to mention there are no forms to fill out. The myth is that someone will allege you infringed and in a dramatic courtroom moment you will whip out the unopened envelope, point at the time stamp and upon opening the envelope, to the horror of the opposing party, you will prove that you did not infringe. Case closed. You win. And the crowd goes wild.

The poor man’s copyright is not an alternative to U.S. copyright registration. First, there are many benefits to copyright registration and the poor man’s copyright does not bring with it these benefits. Copyright registration is currently only $45 (fees subject to change), you will probably be able to register a GROUP of work at the same time, the form is easy to fill out, and you really don’t need any lawyers.

Second, copyright protection attaches as soon as the work is created. Generally in the U.S. you do not need copyright registration in order to have copyright protection. However, registration has major benefits. For example, if you have registered within five years of publishing your work, then the courts will find this as excellent proof of a valid copyright. Also, to bring a case to court, you need copyright registration first (and a poor man's copyright does not count as registration).

Third, I have never heard of a poor man's copyright success story. If you know of one, please let me know. Plus, the poor man’s copyright could be easy to fake.

The poor man's copyright is simply not an alternative to U.S. copyright registration. This is your business, take it seriously. And really, $45 (fees may change) is pretty cheap for insurance (plus the copyright office will be offering $35 online registration in the near future (although, again fees may change)). Go to http://www.copyright.gov/, fill out the appropriate form for your work, send it in, and do things right. The copyright website also has lots of FAQs and you can call the office with questions. You worked hard to create your works, take the same time and effort to protect them. It’s not that hard. You can do it!

Bead&Button Article

2007-07-06T18:57:00.000-04:00

I wrote an article titled "Know your rights to jewelry design." The article is in August issue of Bead&Button Magazine. Check out the article on my website: http://www.sarahfeingold.com/press/index.html

Jeweler / Lawyer

2007-07-05T15:55:00.000-04:00

Well, the purpose of this blog was to feature my jewelry. I didn’t really get into the fact that I’m an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of New York. Yes, I am a jeweler and a lawyer.

When I decided to go to law school, a friend said “So Sarah, what are you gonna be? A jewelry lawyer?” Well, yes, that’s the plan. And it’s actually working out quite nicely thus far.

And so I decided that this tiny blog with no readers will go in a whole new direction. Granted, I didn’t post much in the past, but I plan to change that. The new direction of this blog is to incorporate law and art and business. Hopefully this will be a good place to discuss copyright and trademark issues, design issues, jewelry making issues, and whatever comes up.

As with everything posted in my blog, it’s all legal information (not advice). For legal advice, you’ll need to consult a licensed attorney in your area.

Ok for my first bit of legal news, the U.S. copyright website (www.copyright.gov) announced that it would accept online filing for copyright registration at a reduced fee (regular filing is $45, online filing would be $35).

I called the copyright office to ask when online filing would be offered. The representative said that hopefully the copyright office would offer online filing by the end of the summer.

I am currently working on an intellectual property e-book which is tailored to the arts and crafts community. I was hoping to have it out by now, but I am waiting for the copyright office to finally provide information about online filing so that I can include such information in my book. I know that this might mean a wait, but I know that my future readers will benefit from this information.

Please check out my Etsy shops: www.feingoldjewelry.etsy.com and www.attorneysarah.etsy.com.

Have fun,

Sarah

Jewish Star Postcards

2007-01-07T13:14:00.000-05:00

I designed this postcard with the idea that if I send them out, someone, anyone, will buy lots and lots of stars from me. Good plan right? If anyone knows of a venue that might want to sell the most awesome Jewish stars ever...please help a gal out! THANKS.

Happy Chanukkah!

2006-12-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

My Jazzy Jewish Stars are selling pretty well this holiday season. I hope everyone has a healthy and happy holiday season and new year!

100 loves

2006-10-15T20:44:00.000-04:00

100 people love me on Etsy.com! 100 people list me as a favorite shop. Do you love me? Check out my most recent work. www.feingoldjewelry.etsy.com

featured on ajp.com

2006-09-17T17:09:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago my Jewish Star design was accepted by ajp.com (Artistic Jewish Promotions). Today, I discovered that my star was featured! Of course, I have yet to sell a star on this site…but this is a first step forward! http://www.ajp.com/searchresults.php?artistId=4797&ca=jewelry

I won!

2006-08-15T21:27:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone who voted for my ugly necklace. I won! http://www.landofodds.com/store/ugly4contest.htm
Check out my website to see what I make with my winnings. www.feingoldjewelry.etsy.com

ugly isn't easy

2006-08-12T20:42:00.000-04:00

I entered an "Ugly Necklace" contest. I made it to the semi-finals. Online voting ends in a few days and I'm currently in third place. Making the ugly necklace was more challenging than I thought. I had a hard time not trying to make the necklace, un-ugly.

All votes are appreciated.

http://209.235.192.15/store/form/uglyform4feingold.htm

Vote THUMBS UP, as in really ugly! Help me win. Thanks!

www.etsy.com

2006-08-03T18:17:00.000-04:00

Etsy is a wonderful website to buy and sell all things homemade. I made this resin ring with the etsy logo in it (yes, I received permission to use the etsy trademark) in order to promote etsy.
www.feingoldjewelry.etsy.com

Copper Enameled Pendants

2006-07-04T14:18:00.000-04:00

These copper enameled pendants are bright, fresh, and fun.

The art of copper enameling is a labor intensive process of melting glass on copper. The pieces are fired in a 1600 degree kiln. This technique requires multiple layers of glass (and multiple firings) to create the desired effect.

Copper (Cu) is an essential element to life. Wearing copper can send and amplify thoughts, soothe arthritis and rheumatism problems and improve circulation. Copper is thought to play a vital part in the development and performance of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as the skin, bone, immune and reproductive systems. There are no known side effects to wearing copper.

To view and purchase Feingold Jewelry's Copper Enameled pendants, visit www.feingoldjewelry.etsy.com.

Copper Enamel Rings

2006-07-03T13:22:00.000-04:00

The art of copper enameling is a labor intensive process of melting glass on copper. The pieces are fired in a 1600 degree kiln. This technique requires multiple layers of glass (and multiple firings) to create the desired effect.

The 3/4 inch in diameter ring top is made from melted glass fused to copper (copper enameling). The ring base is silver plated and adjusts from around a size 6 1/2 upwards.

For more information on Feingold Jewelry Copper Enamel Rings visit www.feingoldjewelry.etsy.com

Magen David

2006-07-02T14:26:00.000-04:00

I delivered a few of my sterling silver Jewish Stars to Jane Ellen B, 714 University Avenue, Rochester, New York. The store is east of Starry Nights and Edibles, across the street from Craft Company No. 6.

I also dropped off a few copper enameled necklaces and earrings. http://www.etsy.com/view_item.php?listing_id=186950

To see more Feingold Jewelry: www.feingoldjewelry.etsy.com

Resin Rings

2006-07-01T12:20:00.000-04:00

Lately I've been in a ring making mood.
These rings each have something fun floating in clear resin.

Top row, left to right:
Confetti ring: glass beads
Green Car ring: plastic green car charm
Vintage green button ring: green button

Second row, left to right:
Copper bbs ring: yes, copper bbs
Butterscotch ring: butterscotch colored seed beads

Third row, left to right:
Maroon vintage button ring: maroon and white button
Three black buttons: three vintage black buttons
Like white on rice: rice ring

Bottom row, left to right:
Purple and yellow seed beeds ring: purple and yellow seed beads
Healthy ring: flax seeds in resin
Copper bbs and rubber washer: copper bbs and rubber in resin

The silver plated ring base adjusts from around a size 6 1/2 upwards. The resin top of the ring is a little over one inch in diameter. It's just big enough to be a statement without being unpracticable.

Visit www.feingoldjewelry.com to see more of the resin rings!