If you are a gig worker, or you employ gig workers, you should be aware that last week the IRS released new guidance on when the Form 1099-K must be issued. Previously, businesses were required to issue a Form 1099-K to any person who was paid $600 or more in a single year. This understandably caused much commotion in the creative economy.
Read moreLIVE WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: Contract Law Basics for Artists
You don’t have to be a starving artist! Treating your creative work as a business takes a little preparation and focus. When you present as a business, you will be treated like one and get paid accordingly. The creative economy is largely contract - driven. Knowing the basics of how contracts are formed is a must for entrepreneurs in any industry.
Join me Monday November 3rd at 7pm eastern on Zoom.
This webinar is designed for musicians, filmmakers, photographers, and anyone interested in maximizing their earning potential and legally protecting themselves. In this webinar we will cover: 1) the essential elements of a legally binding contract, 2) how contracts can be formed (intentionally or accidentally), 3) key provisions for live performers, and much more.
This webinar will be LIVE only, there will be no recording available. Zoom information will be sent by email upon receipt of payment. Click the button below to reserve your seat.
Bryan Tuk Elected to the Board of Directors of Music with a Mission
Wilmington, DE – [July 18, 2025] – Music with a Mission (MWAM), a Delaware-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating community through music, is thrilled to announce the election of J. Bryan Tuk, Esquire to its Board of Directors. With a mission to harness the power of music to support communities in need, MWAM welcomes Mr. Tuk’s extensive legal expertise and deep commitment to the arts. His appointment strengthens the organization’s leadership as it continues to fund creative composition and public performances by acclaimed composer Wilson Gault Somers, fostering community engagement through impactful musical initiatives. Learn more about Music with a Mission at http://musicwithamission.org.
Mr. Tuk, founder of Tuk Law Offices (http://tuklaw.com/about), brings over 25 years of legal experience, specializing in business and banking law, nonprofit organizations, and arts and entertainment law. A voting member of The Recording Academy, known for the GRAMMY Awards, Mr. Tuk has advised a diverse range of clients, including recording artists, record labels, and music industry entrepreneurs. His unique perspective as both a legal professional and a professional musician and educator of over 30 years will be invaluable to MWAM’s mission of using music to benefit local and national communities. Mr. Tuk’s prior board roles with organizations such as the Allentown Symphony, Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, and ArtsQuest further underscore his dedication to advancing the arts and nonprofit sectors.
“We are elated to have Bryan join our Board of Directors,” said Julian H. Booker, Interim Board President of Music with a Mission. “His legal acumen, passion for music, and proven leadership in the nonprofit and arts communities align perfectly with our vision of creating meaningful impact through music. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to grow and serve communities in need.” Mr. Tuk’s election to the board marks a significant step forward for MWAM as it expands its reach and influence, ensuring music remains a transformative force for good.
About Music with a Mission
Music with a Mission is a Delaware-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to using music to benefit communities in need. Through partnerships with acclaimed composer Wilson Gault Somers, MWAM funds creative compositions and public performances that inspire and uplift. The organization relies on diverse revenue streams, including fundraising efforts and performance fees, to support its mission. For more details, visit http://musicwithamission.org.
About Tuk Law Offices
Tuk Law Offices provides legal services to entrepreneurs, startups, nonprofit organizations, and clients in the arts and entertainment industry. Led by J. Bryan Tuk, Esquire, the firm specializes in business and banking law, copyright law, and nonprofit governance, delivering cost-efficient and client-focused solutions. Learn more at http://tuklaw.com/about.
Federal Court Issues Mixed Decision in Copyright Suit Brought by Authors
No doubt by this point you have seen the headlines about the U.S. District Court’s June 23rd order (the “June 23rd Order”) in the matter of Bartz v. Anthropic PBC (US Dist. Ct. N.D. California Docket 3:24-cv-05417-WHA). In the abstract, the fact pattern is a familiar one by now for those who are following the copyright related litigation initiated by authors against the artificial intelligence developers: the developer copies legally protected works at scale without any license or payment to the rights holders, and uses those protected works to train software.
The New Copyright Office Guidance on AI: a Primer
When I started the Tuk’s Copyright Law Report five years ago, I never thought that artificial intelligence would take up such a large part of the legal landscape. Yet, here we are.
The stakes are high. If works created solely by AI can be protected under US Copyright Law, human artistry will be obliterated.
There is no other way to view it. When some person with no artistic training or ability can use AI to write (and market) 1,000 novels in a relatively short time, it becomes that much more difficult for a real writer to get their book noticed in the marketplace. In theory, AI could generate a near infinite amount of output, essentially eclipsing human creativity whole.
In January, the Copyright Office (“USCO”) issued the second part of a three part report on US Copyright Law and artificial intelligence. USCO's report on "Copyright and Artificial Intelligence: Part 2 - Copyrightability" addresses the legal and policy issues related to the copyrightability of works created using generative AI. The Report is based on extensive public input and research, and the USCO attempts to provides an analysis of the degree of human contribution necessary for AI-generated outputs to qualify for copyright protection under US law.
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