Legal Pro Bono Consultation, April 23, 2021

Pro Bono Provider: Grata International Georgia

Beneficiaries: Social enterprise "Babale"

Social enterprise"Babale" was founded by non government organization "Together for Real Changes". The founders of the organization are the parents of children and adults with disabilities.

There is creative workshop in "Babale", where adults with special needs are working and studying, at the same time there is the salon for exhibition and for sale of the their works. Decorative art models are created as a result of mutual work of painters, designers and special teachers.

Problem Description:

As mentioned above, social eterprise "Babale" is making various wooden, clay and textile decorative models. Enterprise is using artpieces of famous artists while designing its products. Nowdays, "Babale" is planning to expand the business and use not only artworks of local (Georgian) artists, but also worldwide artists. As consequence, enterprise needed consultation in copyright law i.e. to consider and assesss the risks of using the artworks of various artists.

SERVICES DELIVERED:

Based on the identified needs, with the support of the Georgian Association of Law Firms (SIFA), a law firm - Grata International Georgia (Kordzakhia Zhgenti) was involved in a pro bono consultation. During the consultation, the lawyer of the company introduced the local and international legal environment regarding copyright law. In particular, under what conditions can the enterprise use the works of famous artists and what are the risks associated with this process. Also, pro bono consultant provided information about the copyright of the works created by the beneficiary of the enterprise.

Result of Pro Bono Mediation:

• Social enterprise recieved detailed information about the legal risks of using other artists' artworks and was introduced in local and international copyright law;
• Social enterprise received recommendations on how to protect the copyrights of thee works of their beneficiaries in Georgia;

MEDIATOR:

Pro bono webinar was mediated by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia within the frames of "Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative". The initiative is funded by the European Union and co-funded by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The project is implemented by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)