The Razing of Symphony #1 LIBM 6320: Copyright Brief By: Sandra Rice November 20, Symphony #1 image retrieved November 20, 2011, from

Background In 1984, Jan Randolph Martin, an artist employed by Tarpenning-LaFollette Co., received permission from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission to erect a metal sculpture on land owned by the chairman of the company. After two years, the sculpture was completed. There was an agreement that should the sculpture no longer be compatible with the existing land use or if acquisition of the property was necessary that the owner of the land and Martin would be given 90 days in which to disassemble and move said sculpture. In 1992 the City notified Lafolette and Martin about a public hearing concerning the land which was home for the sculpture known as Symphony #1 (“Martin v. City,” 1999).

Image of bulldozer retrieved November 20, 2011, from Trouble Ahead Symphony #1 image retrieved November 20, 2011, from http ://

Demolition The City purchased the land and Martin proposed and agreed to assist so Symphony #1 could be saved and moved without damage. The City again stated that Martin would be contacted in the event the sculpture was to be removed. However, the City moved forward and awarded a contract to demolish Symphony #1, without notice to Lafolette or Martin. Demolition was carried out (“Martin v. City,” 1999).

lawsuit UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA, INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION JAN RANDOLPH MARTIN, Plaintiff vs. 96 C 330 THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS, Defendant Image retrieved November 20, 2011, from (“Martin v. City,” 1998)

Analysis VARA was established by Congress in This act grants protection to moral rights of an artist regardless of who holds the copyright to the work (“Visual Artists Rights Act,” n.d.). An artist’s identity is embodied in each work created by that artist and is a part of his/her reputation. VARA provides that an artist shall have the right to prevent destruction of a work of “recognized stature”. VARA, in spite of the significance of the phrase, did not define “recognized stature” which left its intended meaning and application open to argument and judicial resolution (“Martin v. City,” 1999).

Testimony The plaintiff argued that he had met his obligation of proving that his work met the requirement of “recognized stature” as defined under VARA (“Martin v. City,” 1998). The defendant argued that Martin had the burden of proving willful infringement and that he failed to prove that defendant willfully violated plaintiff’s rights under copyright law (“Martin v. City,” 1999). Image retrieved November 20, 2011, from PowerPoint clipart

An order for summary judgment was granted to the Plaintiff Martin. The presiding Judge found that Martin should be awarded $20,000 and attorney’s fees. The Court refused to award plaintiff enhanced damages available under VARA because the City of Indianapolis was not aware of this statute and did not recklessly disregard plaintiff’s contractual and ownership rights (“Martin v. City,” 1999). Martin was not entirely satisfied with the ruling of the Court, nor was the City of Indianapolis. The City appealed and Martin cross-appealed (“Martin v. City,” 1999). district court ruling

Case Title JAN RANDOLPH MARTIN, Plaintiff-Appellee/Cross-Appellant, v. Nos , CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS, Defendant-Appellant/Cross-Appellee. UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, SEVENTH CIRCUIT (“Martin v. City,” 1999)

ruling of the court The United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, being satisfied with the district court’s ruling and resulting judgment, affirmed the finding in all respects (“Martin v. City,” 1999). Image retrieved November 20, 2011, from Steigerlaw.typepad.com

References Martin v. City of Indianapolis. (1999). Retrieved November 20, 2011,from Martin v. City of Indianapolis. (1998). Retrieved November 20, 2011, from Martin v. City of Indianapolis. (1999). Retrieved November 20, 2011, from (Visual Artists Rights Act, n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2011, from Wilipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Artists_Rights_Act

Bulldozer image retrieved November 20, 2011, from Gavel image retrieved November 20, 2011, from Judge with gavel image retrieved November 20, 2011, from Symphony #1 image retrieved November 20, 2011, from Witness taking oath image retrieved November 20, 2011, from PowerPoint clipart References for Images