The Future of Entertainment and IP Litigation In The High Tech Era

March 4th, 2003 at NYLS

• Bruce Colfin of JACOBSON & COLFIN, P.C.

  Jacobson & Colfin is an aggressive law firm whose areas of primary concern include: Music & Entertainment, Copyrights, Trademarks, Intellectual Property Law, Licensing, Multimedia (New Media), Literary Property, Theater, Video, Toys & Comics.

  Jeffrey and Bruce frequently represent their clients in business negotiations with, or in litigation against, major multi-national companies; however the majority of their clients are involved in the music or entertainment business. Typical clients include former Rolling Stones guitarist, and Rock Hall of Fame inductee, Mick Taylor; twice Grammy Nominated producers-mixers Masters At Work; Hoo Bangin/Priority rapstars Childrin of Da Ghetto; Platinum Reggae artist Inner Circle ("Bad Boys") and Reggae superstars Sly & Robbie; Andrew Tosh; Freddie McGregor and Israel Vibrations; The Zen Tricksters; cutting-edge labels R.O.I.R., MAW, Norton and VP Records; session drummers Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin) and Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz); "Mo" Morrison, production coordinator for Michael Jackson's Victory Tour, as well as 1994's mega concert WOODSTOCK II and Woodstock 1999; Chuch Magee (Chief Technician for the Rolling Stones); Fernanda Tavares, covergirl for the May 1999 issues of Cosmopolitan, British Elle and Vogue Paris Magazines; Howard Stern writer and sidekick Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling; classic-rock legends John "Marmaduke" Dawson, Buddy Cage, and David Nelson of the New Riders of The Purple Sage and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Marty Bali, Richard. Jacobson & Colfin, P.C., has represented such mega-stars as P.M. Dawn, India and Toni Braxton, and has secured major publishing deals for Larry Loftin and Mattias Gustafsson (producer of the Backstreet Boys) with BMG Music, songwriter-producer Roberto Zapata of Shaggy-Boombastic fame with Bug Music, and songwriter-recording artist Screechie Dan with EMI Music
   

• Marc Jacobson of Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  Entertainment, Information Technology & E-Commerce

  Marc focuses his practice on the Entertainment Industry, in particular music, film, television, theater, publishing and photography. As the former General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer and Sr. Vice President of Public Policy at Internet industry-leading Prodigy Communications Corporation, CEO of the award-winning website www.Politics.com, and COO of the pioneering music website www.my-cd.com, Marc also applies the knowledge gained from his days on the Internet?s front lines to his clients. He represents a diverse group of individual and corporate entertainment clients, including Grammy-winning recording artists in negotiating licensing, financing, recording, distribution, publishing, acting and similar agreements including purchase and sale of catalogs. He represents and works with agents, managers, producers, directors and those who might employ talent, in negotiations ranging from single-day personal appearances, to long-term motion picture and television agreements.

• Heather J. McDonald of Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

  Heather represents the firm's litigation group, specializing in intellectual property enforcement and anti-counterfeiting litigation. She assists in the coordination of a nationwide network of investigators, attorneys and government agencies on both the Federal and state levels pursuing individuals and entities trafficking in counterfeit goods. On behalf of several of the Firm's clients, Heather participated in drafting and lobbying for new legislation in the State of New York substantially strengthening the penalties for those convicted of trafficking in counterfeit goods.
  In addition to her work in the intellectual property area, Heather also practices in the entertainment law area, with experience in negotiating and drafting management agreements, recording and publishing contracts, licensing and merchandising agreements and option contracts.

  Heather graduated from Colby College and Pace University School of Law. She is a member of both the New York and Connecticut bars. For the past 15 years, Heather has run a summer camp for children with Cancer. Happy Days and Special Times is a non-for-profit organization located in Charleston, South Carolina that serves the needs of children with cancer and their families. One of their programs is a week-long free summer camp program for the children. Heather has been the Camp Director for the past 15 years.

  Heather has written on the following topic:  Governor Pataki Sign Vendor and Trademark Counterfeiting Legislation

• Barry Heyman, Esq., Associate Counsel, Legal & Business Affairs Spitfire Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Inc.

Barry Heyman graduated from New York Law School in 2001. He is currently the Associate Counsel, Legal & Business Affairs Spitfire Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Inc. His previous endeavors include Consultant for Spitfire Records, PolyGram Records / Universal Records, Manager, Copyright Administration (last position), and Oversaw  mechanical licensing for Mercury and Def Jam Records.

• Daniel A. Weiss, Esq. Entertainment Attorney, Manager and Booking/Promotions

  Daniel was born in Long Island and attended Hofstra University School of Law.  After spending three years working at a New York City entertainment law firm, he started his own firm in the fall of 2002, which deals primarily with trademarks, copyrights, contracts, licensing, and business agreements.  Dan is also the President/CEO of King Kayupa Productions, Ltd., which books/promotes shows throughout the New York area and he manages acts such as the Alex Skolnick Trio.

  Daniel is a member of the ABA, NYSBA, the Recording Academy/NARAS, and the Joey Ramone Lymphoma Research Foundation.  He has lectured at law schools throughout New York and has also contributed to articles published in various trade magazines concerning the music industry.

• Dawn Botti, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for Universal Television

  A graduate of New York University School of Law.  She began her practice at Proskauer Rose where I specialized in Intellectual Property Law and Commercial Litigation.  She eventually left Proskauer and joined the major broadcast television network "ABC" where she worked in Legal Affairs for "Cable and New Media", dealing with the Networks emerging cable channels (like ABC's SoapNet) and  with all the issues related to ABC's websites.

  In 2000 she joined USA Networks, Inc. in their production and distribution subsidiary called "Studios USA" -- they produce shows like Law & Order, Xena and Jerry Springer. Last year USA Networks was merged with Vivendi Universal, who owns Universal Music Group, Universal Theme Parks and of course, Universal Studios -- Her group got renamed "Universal Television".    So she is currently  "Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for Universal Television".  Her primary responsibilities include negotiating and drafting all television distribution agreements, working on music issues related to television and new media issues.

  Dawn Botti is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU.  For the past three years she has taught a course entitled "Music and the Law" for the Masters of Music Business Program.   

  It is also true, she is the lead singer of the rock band SLUSHPUPPY.

Intellectual Property Opportunities at New York Law School and Beyond

March 25th, 2003 at NYLS

An Information session with Professors Botien, Noveck, Stracher, & Sherwin for students preparing their schedules for the next academic year. The session covered questions like:

• What is intellectual property law?
• What does it mean to practice IP law?
• What courses do we offer?
• What new courses will be given?
• What activities are available?