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Always Read Closely: New York Senate Passes Authentication Bill, But Enhanced Burden of Proof Stripped from Earlier Proposal and Fee-Shifting Is Diluted

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on June 22, 2015 at 7:49 AM

The New York State Senate has passed a bill relating to the liability of authenticators and appraisers. When I first saw the news it seemed like a minor development, but then I went and read the bill. It stripped out a material aspect of the bill first proposed last year that would have required plaintiffs seeking damages against authenticators to prove their case by clear and convincing evidence, a daunting standard. Heightened pleading requirements are still contained within the bill, but the attorneys’ fees provision has also been watered down, with such an award now discretionary rather than mandatory.

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Topics: Legislation, Section 13.04, Section 15.12, Hyperallergic, authentication, clear and convincing, fee-shifting, Senate Bill S6794, Warhol Foundation, attorneys' fees, preponderance of the evidence, appraiser, New York Arts & Cultural Affairs Law, authenticator, New York Senate, S1229-A

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The Art Law Report provides timely updates and commentary on legal issues in the museum and visual arts communities. It is authored by Nicholas M. O'Donnell, partner in our Art & Museum Law Practice.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

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