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UH Law Center Alumni and Students Help Houston Artist Secure a Copyright Settlement Against Warner Bros. Discovery and TLC

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Feb 07, 2025, 5:17 PM ET

HOUSTON, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When University of Houston MFA student and artist Sarah Welch spotted her mural, "Commute," in an episode of the reality TV show "Bad Hair Day"— used without her permission — she knew something was off.

What began an upsetting discovery quickly became a valuable lesson in copyright law, not just for Welch but for a team, comprised of law students and recent graduates, from the University of Houston Law Center's Entertainment Law Clinic. Together, they took on Warner Bros. Discovery and TLC, ultimately securing a favorable settlement through the Copyright Claims Board — gaining real-world, hands-on legal experience in the process.

Welch sought help from Texas Accountants & Lawyers for the Arts, who referred her to Justen Barks '13, the Entertainment Law Clinic director at the UH Law Center. She was ultimately represented by a team that included Madison Moehlig '23, Jordan Marget '24, Bailey Pruitt '24, Matthew Frost '24, Benigno Solis '24, and Class of 2025 members Rachel Regner and Sarah Wickell. Co-professor Erin Rodgers and clinic volunteer Daria Adler also contributed to the case.

Initially, Welch had hoped to recover only the small licensing fee that she was owed, but the production companies involved refused to take responsibility. With the guidance of Barks and the student team, she pursued a case before the CCB, a relatively new entity within the U.S. Copyright Office designed to resolve copyright disputes more efficiently.

"The students I worked with were exceptionally strong-willed, patient, and generous with their time," Welch said. "They made the process far more accessible for me and ensured I understood what was happening every step of the way."

For the law students and alumni, the case was a transformative experience. Marget, now an attorney at Olson & Olson LLP, drafted the plaintiff's petition and found the experience instrumental in sparking his interest in litigation. "This experience required adapting to both federal standards and the Copyright Claims Board's newer, less defined standards," he said. "Navigating the CCB's rigorous compliance process strengthened my attention to detail."

For Pruitt, the case was her first-ever legal filing. "It opened up an entirely new area of law to me," she said. "No matter what, we were proud to represent a local artist, but a favorable outcome made it even better."

Regner and Wickell played key roles in settlement negotiations and representing Welch before the CCB. "Participating in a settlement conference with a major media company was…a standout experience," Wickell said. "It taught me a great deal about the nuances of negotiating with large entities, including the importance of preparation, flexibility, and clear communication."

Beyond gaining justice, Welch absorbed valuable lessons to share with other artists. "I don't think it's widely known by artists who do mural work or exhibit publicly in this way, that they are owed something when their work is reproduced for huge audiences," she said. "Throughout this case with CCB and UH [Entertainment] Law Clinic, I've made a point to talk to other artists about what I've learned, and make sure they are better prepared to navigate these situations."

If you are interested in learning more about the UH Law's Entertainment Law Clinic, please contact Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, cacriado@central.uh.edu or Rashda Khan, Communications Director, 325-656-2824, rkhan20@uh.edu.

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top-tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10.

UH Law Center awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 12 centers, institutes and programs that fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 47,000 students.