Over 25 years of experience as a copyright attorney providing counseling on U.S. and foreign copyright laws - including rights, exceptions (fair use), ownership and enforcement issues - relating to new technological uses, social media, as well as “traditional media” in film, music, music publishing, book publishing, entertainment and business software; production and transactional attorney for musical recordings and (feature and documentary) films; expert on databases, software and all other manner of IP regarding rights, uses and transactions; expert witness; appellate and trial litigation strategist; counsel on Copyright Office practices. Expert on film and recorded music archival legal (i.e., “back catalog”) and preservation issues. Adjunct professor of copyright law and international copyright law, Georgetown University Law Center.
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Chief production counsel for the PBS series “Soundbreaking” – an eight hour documentary about the history of recorded music (the “legacy project” of legendary producer Sir George Martin). The series aired nationwide in November 2016, and has also been broadcast in many territories abroad (U.K. etc.). In addition to serving as counsel, received a producer credit (“Producer for Higher Ground”) for assistance with the production, including working with the writers and directors shaping the content of the series. As counsel/producer, negotiated and drafted talent agreements with over 200 recording industry luminaries such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Petty, Elton John, Smokey Robinson, among many others, and, with other MSK counsel negotiating the archival agreements (over 150 in the series) for all moving image and photographic material used in the series, and for all of the music in the series. Worked with Jim Guerra and other MSK counsel on the production, financing and distribution agreements for the series.
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Counsel numerous clients on U.S. copyright law "termination" issues - under old (1909 Act) and new (1976 Act) law - for a variety of works: music (and music publishing), film and literary properties.
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Counsel (since 1997) to International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) – an alliance of the music, film, book publishing, and entertainment software industries -- on copyright licensing, market access and enforcement issues in territories throughout the world, including India, Mexico, Europe and Russia, as well as other major markets.
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Assisted NBC Universal with 2016 Summer Olympics copyright matters relating to broadcast rights (including Copyright Office registrations); provided similar counseling for prior Olympics: the 2014 Winter Games, the 2012 Summer Olympics, the 2010 Winter Games, and the 2008 Summer Games.
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Counsel Philip K. Dick Testamentary Trust on all copyright and transactional matters relating to Philip K. Dick literary properties ("Adjustment Team," "Minority Report" etc).
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Counsel to The Mayfield Family Trust on copyright and transactional matters relating to the Curtis Mayfield song catalog.
