Enter Ashlye M. Keaton (L ’03), an adjunct professor at Tulane Law School, who along with her students in the Entertainment Law Legal Assistance project, which she co-founded with Tulane alumnus Gene Meneray (TC ’97), argued that Mardi Gras Indian suits are not simply costumes but works of art. Keaton launched an effort to help the Indians copyright their creations with photos filed at the U.S. Copyright Office. Now photographers who sell photos of copyrighted costumes are potentially liable for violations.

Keaton and her students have provided thousands of hours of free legal assistance to hundreds of Indians and other local, low-income artists since 2005. Thanks to their efforts, this remarkable Carnival tradition found nowhere else in the world can continue thriving for many more years to come.