Protecting Art and History: The Journey of Marc Massaro’s Sculpture in New Haven
Artist Marc Massaro and his partner Lauren Mangan in front of Marc’s work Indicando la via al futuro (Pointing the Way to the Future) in Wooster Square, New Haven, Connecticut.
In the heart of New Haven, Wooster Square has long been a symbol of the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Recently, it witnessed the addition of a poignant new monument by Marc Massaro, a local artist whose sculputre work, Indicando la via al futuro (Pointing the Way to the Future,) now stands proudly in the park. This statue, depicting an Italian-American immigrant family, not only honors the past but also looks to the future, celebrating the diverse fabric of New Haven.
As Marc Massaro’s legal counsel, it has been a privilege to assist him in protecting his intellectual property and navigating the complex process of bringing his vision to life. This journey underscores the importance of copyright protection and the strategic use of negotiation, agreements, and collaboration to ensure the artist’s rights are preserved while allowing the public to benefit from his creation.
Understanding Copyright Protection
Copyright protection is a fundamental aspect of safeguarding an artist’s work. For Marc Massaro, securing copyright registration for his sculpture was crucial. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including sculptures, from unauthorized use and reproduction. This protection is automatic upon the creation of the work, but registering the copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional important benefits, such as the ability to bring a lawsuit for infringement and eligibility for statutory damages and attorney’s fees.
The image to the left shows the original sculpture prepared by Marc.
The Role of Registration
Registering Marc’s sculpture involved submitting an application, a copy of the work, and the appropriate fee to the U.S. Copyright Office. This formal process not only established a public record of the copyright claim but also fortified Marc’s legal standing in the event of any disputes over the use of his work. Given the public nature of the sculpture, this step was essential in ensuring Marc’s rights were unequivocally recognized.
The image to the right shows a life-size clay model of the work produced by Marc Massaro. This model was prepared at the artist’s studio in Branford, Connecticut. Marc designed the clay model to be separated into different pieces for shipping to the foundry, where a mold was made and ultimately the statue was cast in bronze. The base comprises wood planking, reminiscent of those commonly seen on transatlantic steamers of the era, furthering the historical touch to the sculpture.
Agreements and Permissions
With the copyright secured, the next step was to draft agreements that would allow the City of New Haven to display the sculpture in Wooster Square while respecting Marc’s rights as the creator. These agreements outlined the scope of use, the duration of the display, and provisions for the care and maintenance of the sculpture. Importantly, they also included clauses that prevented unauthorized reproductions or alterations of the work, thereby preserving the integrity of Marc’s artistic vision.
Collaboration with the City
Working with the City of New Haven and the Wooster Square Monument Committee involved numerous discussions and collaborations to ensure that both the city’s and Marc’s interests were aligned. The city had previously removed the statue of Christopher Columbus from Wooster Square, sparking a conversation about the representation of cultural heritage and the future of public monuments. Marc’s sculpture, Indicando was selected to fill this space due to its inclusive message and historical significance.
Installation and Unveiling
The installation of Marc’s sculpture is a momentous occasion. The sculpture stands as a testament to the contributions of immigrants to New Haven and symbolizes hope and unity for future generations. There will be a public unveiling on Sunday, June 9th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm with a rain date on Saturday June 8th.
About the Author: Walter Welsh practices patent and trademark at his firm Welsh IP Law, an intellectual property firm based in Darien, Connecticut. Welsh IP Law works directly with engineers, scientists, and executives to develop and grow intellectual property portfolios that protect and strengthen the business position. Its clients include Fortune 500 companies, global brands, family businesses, and start-ups.
Welsh IP Law is an intellectual property law firm based in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Our passion is increasing the value of our client’s business through strategic patent and trademark protection. We work directly with engineers, scientists, and executives to develop and grow intellectual property portfolios that protect and strengthen the client’s business. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, global brands, family businesses, and start-ups from around the world.