Intellectual Property

This course examines tort causes of action for defamation and invasion of privacy. It covers both the common law of defamation, including the actions of libel and slander, and the constitutional limits placed on such actions. In addressing defamation, the course will explore the dramatic tension between reputational interests and interests in freedom of speech and expression. Although this conflict may arise in any defamation action, it is particularly acute when media outlets critique public officials and figures. Thus, special emphasis will be given to such cases.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the law of intellectual property licensing. Licensing is one of the most prevalent types of contracts in the entertainment, media and technology industries today. This course will focus on the importance of licensing to these industries and will look at the similarities, as well as the differences, in licensing practices within and between these industries. The course will also look at licensing law and practice in the European Union.

This course explores the relationships and interests of the parties to various contracts in the music industry. Contracts to be covered include those governing recording artists, record producers, and personal managers. The course will feature actual contracts, guest speakers, and other sources of information that provide a real-world picture of the U.S. music industry. By the end of the course, students can expect to learn the following: 1. Students will learn how real world factors such as leverage and relationships impact the negotiation and completion of various agreements in the U.S.

This course surveys the law of trademarks and unfair competition, including the right of publicity and other related statutory and common law schemes. A trademark is a word, symbol, phrase or other device used to identify the products or services of a particular manufacturer or provider and distinguish them from those of another. For example, the trademark "Apple" (along with its famous silhouette image) identifies the computers and other products produced by Apple Inc. and distinguishes them from the products of Microsoft, Google and others.

This course provides an in-depth study of the substantive patent law of the U.S. Although the Patent Office procedure to obtain a patent is not covered in this course, the conditions for a valid patent are reviewed, such as inventorship, the date of the invention, the novelty requirement, statutory bars other than novelty, and the requirements of utility and non-obviousness are explored.

This course is an overview of those aspects of entertainment law, other than copyright, encompassed in the relationships between artist and personal manager, artist and agent, artist and record producer, and artist and motion picture producer. Other areas explored are: right of publicity and performer's rights; protection of ideas by property, quasi-contract, and express and implied contract theories; television packaging deals; and motion picture financing and distribution. Prerequisites: Copyright Law (538 or 538A)

This course provides an in-depth study of copyright law and its protection of the intangible property rights of authors. Copyright law reflects the rich and complex international business framework through which the expression of creative ideas is governed, whether in terms of creation, marketing, distribution, exhibition or litigation. Knowledge of copyright law has innumerable industry applications and, like trademark law, is of particular and critical importance to both transactional and litigation practitioners in the fields of entertainment, media, fashion, art and technology.

Artworks reflect the culture of their creators, but artworks themselves know no boundaries. Perhaps for that reason, the most interesting and newsworthy issues in art law today are international law issues. This course addresses international legal issues related to art as a creative endeavor, art as an article of commerce, and art as a significant cultural artifact.

This course will survey the international legal issues that lawyers deal with when representing clients in the entertainment industry -- especially the movie, music, theater, sports and publishing businesses.

The objective of Fashion Law is to provide foundational legal knowledge and skills in areas that new attorneys are likely to encounter should they pursue fashion law in either solo or firm practice. Those areas include relevant legal concepts within copyright, trademark, patent, sui generis protection, misappropriation, the FTC, international trade, labor and employment; and skills including, brand building, licensing, collaborative negotiating, advising start-ups, technology and client management.