At the Intersection of Law and Creativity։Yevgenya Nikoghosyan, Head of Intellectual Property Practice at Concern Dialog

The Journey

-Your background is a fascinating blend- professionl pianist, scholar, attorney. How did the transition from music to law happen?

-It was more of a natural progression than a sharp turn. Music has always played a vital role in my life; it endowed me with qualities that proved invaluable in law as well- discipline, meticulous attention to detail, patience, and the ability to analyze and truly listen.

In music, a single wrong note can shift the tone of an entire piece. Similarly, in law, a single word or phrasing can alter the meaning of an entire contract. Law captured my interest through its logic- here, too, you need to see the bigger picture without losing sight of any detail.

 

-Music and law seem like completely different worlds at first glance. What is the common thread that actually connects them?

- Structure and the ability to listen.

Music has its own logic, rhythm, and structure; law is likewise a defined system. In both fields, mastering technique alone isn't enough- you need to understand what you are doing and why.

And there is another vital parallel: both require active listening. In music, listening to the nuance of sound; in law, listening to the person and understanding their actual problem.

 

The Profession

-If a 5-year-old asked you, "Why can't I tell my friend's story as my own?", how would you explain copyright?

- I’d say: "That story came from your friend's mind, and respecting their mind is an important part of friendship. If you want to share their story, you can let everyone know they made it up. And if you want a story of your own, the wonderful thing is you can create one too."

The essence of copyright at its core is just that: create your own and respect what others have created.

 

-From your perspective, do people value their intellectual property more today, or do they still only think of a lawyer when a problem arises?

- Awareness is definitely growing, but in many cases, protection only begins once an issue has surfaced.

Before a dispute, people often assume nothing will go wrong. But when their idea or brand ends up being used by someone else, they realize that prevention would have been far more effective. Our goal is to demonstrate that legal protection isn't just about damage control, but about preventing problems from arising in the first place.

 

-What is the most common mistake made by creators or businesses?

- Treating their output merely as an "idea" while neglecting its legal status.

People invest vast amounts of time and energy into creating and promoting their work, yet spend very little time considering key questions: Who actually owns this result? How is it protected? Under what terms will it be used? Legal protection should begin during the creation and development phase, not when a dispute breaks out.

 

Law as a Mindset

-In music, there is "perfect pitch." Is there a similar sense in law - when everything seems fine on the surface, but you already spot a hidden risk?

-Yes, though I would call it professional intuition built through years of experience.

The more scenarios you encounter, the faster you notice the red flags that could develop into problems down the line.

However, intuition alone is not enough. It must always be stress-tested with facts, the law, and analysis. Otherwise, it remains a mere assumption.

 

-Have you ever encountered a situation where a seemingly minor detail turned out to have major legal or business significance?

-That happens quite often, especially in IP.

To a client, only the core concept might seem important, whereas a lawyer immediately asks: How is it drafted? Who owns the rights? On what terms can it be used or transferred? A minor detail can have significant consequences later on. That’s why I try not only to answer the immediate question, but to understand what the client is ultimately trying to achieve.

 

-Which intellectual property issues in Armenia interest you most right now?

-Questions around how we can align legal protection more closely with the real-world needs of businesses and creative industries.

Technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital content are evolving rapidly, and the legal framework needs to keep pace. But changing the law isn't enough on its own. Awareness must also rise so that creators and businesses recognize the value of their assets and know how to manage them properly.

 

Yevgenya at Concern Dialog

-What is your primary benchmark for a great lawyer's work?

-Quality.

Trust is paramount in a lawyer's work, and trust is built through the consistent quality of your daily practice.

 

-What do you value most about Concern Dialog?

-The fact that high professional standards here are paired with an open mindset toward different industries.

Legal work isn't just about analyzing statutory text. You have to understand the client's business and their goals. Teamwork is equally essential- a great outcome is rarely the work of one person alone.

 

-Concern Dialog wouldn't be Concern Dialog without its...

-Quality. Not just the quality of the work, but the quality of thought, approach, and relationships.

 

Beyond the Profession

-Yevgenya wouldn't be Yevgenya without at least one... in her day.

-...musical moment.

Whether it's listening to music, recalling a piece, or simply enjoying a few minutes of quiet- sometimes those short pauses are what help you reconnect with yourself.

 

-You also teach and conduct research. Which legal topic interests you the most?

- Issues where law intersects with emerging technology and creative industries.

It's particularly fascinating to watch how our understanding of intellectual property is evolving alongside technological advances. Many questions in this area don't have definitive answers yet, and that's precisely what makes it compelling.

 

instead of an epilogue

-If a book were ever written about Concern Dialog, what title would you choose, and what would you like it to say about you?"

-Perhaps "Law in Action."

Because for me, our work is never just legal advice. What matters is how legal expertise translates into tangible real-world outcomes. And as for me, it would say: she is a happy person (smiles)․

 

 

 

 

 



1 Charents str., Office 207 Yerevan, 0025, Armenia

+374 60 27 88 88 +374 10 57 51 21

1 Charents str., Office 207 Yerevan, 0025, Armenia

+374 60 27 88 88 +374 10 57 51 21