News and developments
DSK Legal launches Art Law Practice
DSK Legal, a full-service law firm, has added Art Law Practice to their portfolio of practices. The newly introduced practice area is a combination of DSK Legal’s extensive experience in media laws, intellectual property rights protection, and estate planning.
Art law has been a specialised field in certain countries over several years. A rise in collection activity in our country, coupled with the significant increase in the value of art, antiquities and other collectibles, justifies greater attention to these works by all stakeholders. At the same time, India has an evolving legal and regulatory landscape - The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, Rules and declarations made thereunder, the Museum Grant Scheme, Exchange Control, Stamp Duty, Income and Indirect Tax law amendments, amongst others.
DSK Legal’s aim is to combine their existing strengths in media laws, intellectual property rights protection, and estate planning alongwith their extensive litigation experience to deliver comprehensive legal services to the art industry. To provide a complete offering in this space, the Art Law Practice team collaborates with specialists in the field, various art infrastructure solution providers, international law firms who have significant experience in this area of practice, and experts and accountants having the relevant experience.
The Art Law Practice provides advisory, transactional as well as litigation services to clients who include art collectors (individuals and corporate), trusts, foundations, artists, auction houses, art galleries and dealers. The advisory services are provided on diverse matters including maintaining appropriate documentation, valuation, insurance, establishing a holding structure for collections of art collectors, setting up private museums / foundations, succession planning, assisting with due diligence, authentication and forensics for art, documentation when acquiring or lending art pieces, tax and exchange control considerations, protection of intellectual property and policy advocacy. The team also strategizes and runs litigations on disputes related to art, including title disputes, authenticity disputes, bidding disputes, insurance claims, and taking action against infringing or fake works.
Art Law is a fast-growing area, having received valuable inputs and encouragement from well-known artists and art collectors.
The Art Law Practice is headed by DSK Legal Managing Partner, Mr. Anand Desai and Partner, Ms. Chandrima Mitra.