Questions people ask first
Short answers to what people usually ask first. If yours is not here, write to us.
About us
- What is the Artists’ Rights Project?
- The Artists’ Rights Project is a trust that offers free legal support to artists in India who cannot otherwise afford it. We also research issues that affect artists, and run workshops to help artists understand their rights.
- What kinds of matters can you help with?
- Legal problems that arise from making, showing or selling creative work. Our help is meant for individual artists, collectives and small arts organisations that cannot easily afford a lawyer. We do not take on matters for companies or for established artists.
- Are you a law firm?
- No. We are a trust. Writing to us does not create a lawyer–client relationship with us or with any lawyer. That relationship begins only when we, or one of our associate lawyers, agree to take on your matter.
- What does it cost?
- Our help is free. If your matter involves clerical or other incidental costs, we will tell you in advance, and you may have to bear them yourself.
- How does the Project work?
- We are self-funded and run by volunteers. Our capacity is limited, so while we try to help everyone who writes to us, we may not be able to take up every matter.
Writing to us
- What should I send?
- A short account of what happened, who else is involved, any deadlines, and copies of the documents that matter: contracts, emails, notices. It does not need to be formal.
- How soon will I hear back?
- We aim to reply within seven working days. If something is urgent, such as a hearing date or a notice with a deadline, say so at the top.
- Will you keep what I tell you private?
- Yes. We share what you tell us only with the lawyers we approach about your matter, and only as much as they need. We do not tell anyone else that you contacted us.
- I am not in Delhi. Can I still write?
- Yes. Most of what we do can happen over email and calls, wherever you are in India. If your matter needs a lawyer in a particular court, we will look for one there.
How it works
- Who will handle my matter?
- We handle matters ourselves, or with the help of associate lawyers who work in the relevant area. If we bring in an associate lawyer, we share only what they need to decide whether they can help.
- Will a lawyer go to court for me?
- Sometimes. Most matters are resolved with advice, a letter or a negotiation. Where a case needs to be filed or defended, we will take it on ourselves or try to find an associate lawyer who can.
- Can you look at a contract before I sign it?
- Yes. Send it with the date you need to sign by, and give us as much time as you can.
- Someone has copied or used my work without asking. What can I do?
- Write to us with where it appeared, when you first made or published your work, and anything that shows it is yours: files, drafts, posts, dates.
- I have received a legal notice. What should I do?
- Write to us as soon as you can, with a copy of the notice and the date you received it. Notices often carry deadlines. Do not ignore one, and do not reply in a hurry before someone has read it.
Getting involved
- I am a lawyer. How do I volunteer?
- Write to us with what you practise, where you are based and how much time you can give. We will send you matters that fit, and you can always say no.
- Can I undertake research with you?
- Yes. Anyone can, including lawyers, researchers, students and artists. Tell us how much time you can give, or pitch an idea or a project you would like to take up.
- How else can I help?
- Tell artists who might need us about our work.
Workshops
- Can you run a workshop for our space, collective or college?
- Write to us with who it is for, roughly how many people, and what they want to know.
