Institute Events:

IP Surprise: Beer & Beverage, Business, and Trademark Reform

Thursday, March 18, 6pm-8pm

Trademark issues for small businesses have becoming increasingly common.  The dispute last year between Monster Energy Drink and Rock Art Brewery over the latter's "Vermonster" beer is a prime example of this.  While the two companies eventually reached an agreement over use of their respective marks, the controversy got the attention of Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, whose recently introduced trademark reform bill would require a study of "whether large corporations are misusing the trademark laws to harass small businesses by exaggerating the scope of their trademark protection."  At the same time, we can't forget that larger corporations have strong interests and in some cases legal and/or shareholder obligations to enforce the strength of their mark.

The IILP is excited to welcome Rock Art's attorney, Douglas K. Riley of Lisman, Webster & Leckerling, PC of Burlington, VT for a discussion of his IP practice, which includes many clients in Vermont's burgeoning "artisan foods" industry.  Joining him will be Lauren Mandell, Senior IP Counsel at Diageo North America, one of the largest alcoholic beverage brand owners in the world, to discuss her practice.  Professor Dan Hunter will moderate this discussion of the trademark interests of small and large businesses and how to reform and refine the rules to accommodate both.

Please RSVP to naomi.allen@nyls.edu.

Vision for the USPTO in the 21st Century: Ensuring America’s Innovation Future

The Hon. David Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will give a talk titled “Vision for the USPTO in the 21st Century: Ensuring America’s Innovation Future,” on Friday, March 26 at 1 p.m. at New York Law School, located at 185 West Broadway. The event is presented by the Law School’s Center for Patent Innovations (CPI) and the Institute for Information Law & Policy.

This event is free and open to the public. Please register with Naomi Allen at naomi.allen@nyls.edu or 212.431.2368.

Full press release available here.

Future Ed: New Business Models for U.S. and Global Legal Education Conference

April 9-10, 2010 @ New York Law School

Presented by the Center for Professional Values and Practice & IILP

Details at www.nyls.edu/futureed

Past Events:

Symposium on Intellectual Property Licensing

Friday, March 12, 2010 Room W220 9:00am - 2:00pm

The Institute for Information Law and Policy invites you to attend the annual Symposium on Intellectual Property Licensing. The IP Licensing and Drafting professors will present specialized topics about drafting and negotiation.

9:00 am – 10:00 am
Mark Webbink – The Differing and Changing Nature of Patent Licensing. A review of a number of the elements of patent licensing that differentiate it from other forms of IP licensing. How the law related to patent licensing has evolved in recent years. 
Mark Webbink is Visiting Professor of Law at New York Law School and Executive Director of the School’s Center for Patent Innovation. He previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Red Hat, Inc. Much of his legal career has focused on intellectual property transactions.

10:00 am – 11:00 am
Jay Kogan – Character Licensing. Jay will discuss the legal protections available to characters and examine the objectives of character licensors and licensees.
Jay Kogan is the Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel for DC Comics and MAD MAGAZINE. His primary areas of practice include film, television, print and multimedia publishing and licensing and he serves as the company’s chief intellectual property counsel.

11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Terry Ilardi – Introduction to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Licensing and Licenses. This lecture will cover the origins of the FOSS movement and explore the differences between the major FOSS licenses with the goal of explaining how software created and distributed under FOSS licenses should be accommodated in the context of traditional software development and licensing practices.
Terry Ilardi is Copyright Counsel for IBM Corporation, where he is responsible for handling copyright and open source matters at the corporate level. In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor at New York Law School.

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Larry Sapadin – Motion Picture Licensing in a Digital World. An overview of the lifecycle of an item of intellectual property and the complexities of licensing in an increasingly fragmented digital marketplace.
Larry Sapadin is Vice President of Business Affairs at E1 Entertainment U.S., a leading independent distributor of home entertainment on CD, DVD, and digital media worldwide. Sapadin is responsible for all E1’s motion picture and television acquisition and license agreements in the United States.

Attendance is required for members of the Intellectual Property Licensing and Drafting Course. The Symposium is open to the New York Law School community on a first-come first-served basis.

Seating is limited. Please RSVP by March 9 to Naomi Allen at naomi.allen@nyls.edu.

Copyright Exceptions for the Visually Impaired and Print Disabled: International Initiatives to Increase Access to Knowledge

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Room W120 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Lunch will be served.

The visually impaired and print disabled experience widespread barriers in their efforts to gain access to knowledge. These barriers include the shortage of books and other copyrighted works in accessible formats. In 1996, the U.S. Copyright Act was amended to allow the reproduction and distribution of certain copyrighted works in specialized formats for exclusive use by the blind or visually impaired. Although this limitation to the exclusive rights of copyright owners is a major improvement, it impact is limited to works protected by U.S. copyright and to U.S. residents.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been considering access for the visually impaired and print disabled in recent years as part of its work on copyright limitations and exceptions. In early 2009, in connection with international initiatives, the United States Copyright Office and other federal agencies launched a domestic consultation process with a number of stakeholders and the public in order to gather information about their experiences with the current statutory limitation for the visually impaired and print disabled.

Please join the IILP and invited guest speaker, Michele Woods, Senior Counsel for Policy & International Affairs with the U.S. Copyright Office, for a more detailed discussion about the initiatives taken by the United States to help close the domestic and international knowledge gap for the visually impaired and print disabled. The discussion will also highlight the role of the many federal agencies that contribute to the development of the U.S. intellectual property policy.

Please RSVP to naomi.allen@nyls.edu.

Fashionably Law: Fashion & the Law Firm

Thursday, March 4th, 6pm-7:30pm in Room W320

Fashion law reaches beyond in house counsel, as many law firms have expanded their Intellectual Property practice into the fashion industry. Firms are able to provide resources and varied expertise that a legal department of a company may not be equipped to handle. On February 25, 2010, the Fashionably Law lecture series will focus on the role of the law firm attorney within the fashion industry.  Karen Artz Ash, a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenmann LLP and NYLS aluma, will be leading a discussion on the type of fashion industry legal issues, including licensing and related arrangements, the type of work she does depending on whether the client is firmly established or just emerging, and the career path that led to her specialty. Any substantive topics can follow at a later time if there is interest by the students.

Ms. Ash, National Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, focuses her practice on all aspects of intellectual property law with a concentration in all facets of trademark and copyright law. Ms. Ash administers relationships in complex IP trust arrangements and develops and administers the worldwide licensing, exploitation, searching, clearance, registration and enforcement of trademarks, logos and domain names. Ms. Ash’s practice represents clients in the fashion and apparel, publishing, banking, financial services, and consumer electronics industries.

For information on Ms. Ash's practice, and her involvement in the legal side of the fashion click here.

R.S.V.P.: Naomi Allen at Naomi.allen@nyls.edu

Patents and Green Technology

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Room B410 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The Institute for Information Law & Policy invites you to attend a discussion on patents and green technology. The need to “be green” is everywhere; from the market to the media, the technology used to promote environmental efficiency has gained international popularity. The green movement is main stream, as the public is inundated with advertisements full of hybrid or energy efficient products ranging from cars to light bulbs. But like any other new technology, these inventions also deserve the exclusive rights granted to inventors under patent law. The new administration has brought attention to this field by calling for greater developments in the areas of green energy and other environmental protections. It is evident that the need for these technologies is worldwide. Will all of this attention lead to an increase in respective patent applications?

Carl Horton, Chief IP Counsel for GE, will be speaking at an event surrounding the recent rise in interest of green technologies and how they fit in with patent protection. In the past 12 years Carl has led IP teams in over 10 countries throughout the world in protecting a wide range of products and services for GE ranging from diagnostic imaging equipment such as MRI, CT, PET & ultrasound equipment and related contrast agents, to hospital information technology systems and genomic/proteomic-based products, to circuit breakers and reliable power transmission systems, switches, drive systems, motors and a host of high temperature thermoplastic materials. If you are interested in attending, please R.S.V.P. to naomi.allen@nyls.edu.

Lunch with Alumna Marylee Jenkins '91

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Room W204 12:30pm - 2:30pm

What is it like to work in the IP Group at a large law firm? Come discuss this and other issues with Marylee Jenkins ’91.

A graduate of NYLS, Ms. Jenkins is a partner at Arent Fox and heads the New York office’s Intellectual Property Group. She specializes in intellectual property matters involving computers and the Internet and counsels international companies on intellectual property disputes and strategies, portfolio enforcement and management and e-commerce and software development and protection.

Ms. Jenkins is involved in a variety of professional associations and organizations and is an active member of the American Bar Association – currently chair-elect of its Section of Intellectual Property Law (ABA-IPL). She has held many leadership roles in the ABA, including chair of ABA-IPL’s Information Technology Division and its Special Committee on Trademarks and the Internet, representative to the Intellectual Property Constituency of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and member of the ABA Standing Committee on Technology and Information Systems.

A regular speaker at associations, organizations and institutions, Ms. Jenkins has written for numerous legal publications and serves on John Marshall Law School’s Intellectual Property Law Advisory Board. In addition to her JD from NYLS she holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Columbia University and a BS in physics from Centre College of Kentucky.

Please RSVP to naomi.allen@nyls.edu.

Liberating Legal Information: The Law.Gov Movement
A Panel Discussion with Carl Malamud, Helen Nissenbaum, and Nicholas Bramble

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The IILP welcomed Internet pioneer Carl Malamud, President and Founder of Public.Resource.Org, to discuss the Law.Gov movement and it's opportunities for citizens to help change the way we distribute America's Operating System. He was joined by distinguished Information Law scholars Helen Nissenbaum and Nicholas Bramble.

In 2009, President Obama's Open Government Initiative led to the launch of Data.Gov, an online forum where the public may easily find, download, and use Federal agency datasets. Through Data.Gov, the administration seeks to expand creative use of the data and encourage innovation beyond the walls of government.

Law.Gov builds on the success of Data.Gov by documenting what is necessary to establish a distributed registry and repository of all United States legal materials. Public.Resource.Org is leading this revolutionary effort to collect briefs and opinions from the Judiciary; reports, hearings, and laws from the Legislative branch; and regulations, audits, grants, and other materials from the Executive.

Breast Cancer and Gene Patenting: More Than a Fight for Your Life?
Monday, February 22, 6:30pm, NYLS Auditorium - WA14

The New York Law School (NYLS) chapter of the ACLU and the NYLS Institute for Information Law and Policy presented a screening of “In the Family” followed by a panel discussion about gene patenting.

"In the Family" was an award winning PBS documentary put a personalized face on the issues of gene patenting. The movie featured the film maker, Joanna Rudnick, who turned the lens on herself, when she received a positive genetic test result revealing she was at risk for breast cancer. The film traced her questioning the company who owns the gene patent about who controls the test, and her difficult decision about whether to have a mastectomy.
Panelists included:
Molly Beutz Land is an Associate Professor of Law at New York Law School whose current scholarship focuses on access to knowledge and the intersection of intellectual property, information law, and human rights.
Rochelle C. Dreyfuss is the Pauline Newman Professor of Law at New York University School of Law and a co-Director of the Engelberg Center on Innovation Law and Policy at NYU.
Sandra S. Park is a Staff Attorney in the ACLU Women’s Rights Project and is currently working on challenging the patents granted on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer (the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes).
Elsa Reich, M.S. is a genetic counselor, Professor of Pediatrics at the New York University School of Medicine, and plaintiff in the ACLU’s lawsuit.

Art & Media Law Panel
Thursday, February 18, 6:30PM, Room W202
INDUSTRY EXPERTS DISCUSS CURRENT ISSUES – FROM COPYRIGHT TO CULTURAL PROPERTY

PANELISTS:
Raymond J. Dowd, Esq.
Partner, Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller LLP
Intellectual Property, Copyright & Art Law – Licensing & Litigation

Cheryl Wickham, Esq.
Partner, MasurLaw
Entertainment, Film, TV & Copyright Law – Contract Negotiation & Licensing

Kacey Bayles
Exhibits Manager, Anne Frank House USA,
Author of NY Bar Association EASL Journal article, “Restructuring the Art
World: An Examination of Controversial Deaccessioning Practices . . .”

Quigley Bruning
Administrator, Sotheby's,
Expert in Cultural Property Protection, International Trade & Antiquities

Co-sponsored with NYLS Media, Entertainment & Sports Law Association (MESLA)
 

Business Method Patents: The Next Endangered Species? - Feb. 4, 2010

The digital explosion resurrected business method patents, but they have recently been challenged in In re Bilski. Many criticize these patents as being obvious because they are simply old methods of doing business that are now being done on the Internet. Just how broadly should patentable subject matter be interpreted? Could the Supreme Court put an end to business method patents once and for all?

On Thursday, Feb. 4, Manny Schecter, Chief Patent Counsel at IBM, discussed the implications of the Supreme Court’s impending decision of In re Bilski and the state of business method patents.  Mr. Schecter incorporated many of other areas of patent law into his presentation, allowing students to get a better grasp of everyday issues they may encounter as a patent attorney. 

Reading Group: "The Digital Fourth Amendment: Privacy Expectations and the Cloud"

The Ninth Circuit’s decision in Quon v. Arch Wireless has “open[ed] a new frontier in Fourth Amendment jurisprudence that has been little explored.” 529 F.3d 892, 904 (2008). The court denied rehearing en banc, and on December 14, 2009, the Supreme Court granted cert. to resolve three separate Fourth Amendment questions. The Court did not certify a question on the Stored Communications Act issue. The case involves a police officer’s text messages on a department-issued pager and a battle between formal and informal department policies. While some have speculated that the court may limit its decision to the government employee context, the decision will likely affect private employers as well. Also, many think that clarity on the role of the Fourth Amendment and new communications technology is sorely needed. The third question certified by the Court, whether third parties have an expectation of privacy in text messages sent to government employees, raises some interesting issues with respect to state or federal FOIA and public disclosure laws in addition to the Fourth Amendment. Join us for a discussion of the case, the Fourth Amendment, the Stored Communications Act, and the role of third parties in protecting (or obliterating) our expectations of privacy. Suggested Readings are listed on the nycinfolaw calendar or athttp://tinyurl.com/y8nwmzp

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
7:00pm – 9:00pm 
New York Law School Wellington Conference Rooms A and B. Enter at 180 West Broadway, take the elevator the 5th floor, and walk through the passageway near the restrooms. The rooms are immediately on the other side. There will be signs.

RSVP to Joe Merante, joseph.merante@law.nyls.edu

Comprehensive Fashion Law Panel

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 MESLA and the IILP co-hosted a discussion on a wide range of legal issues that arise in the course of business for fashion industry professionals, presented by a distinguished panel representing varied perspectives on fashion law, including authors of Fashion Law, the first comprehensive guide to this unique practice area.

Panelists included: Guillermo Jimenez, Esq., a Professor of Fashion Law at the Fashion Institute of Technology and co-author of Fashion Law (New York: Fairchild Conde Nast, 2009); Barbara Kolsun, Esq., the General Counsel and Vice President of Stuart Weitzman, LLC; David Faux, Esq., a practicing attorney in Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Art and Business/Commercial Law; Steven Gursky, Esq., a partner at Olshan, Grundman, Frome, Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP; and Misha Tzar, a fashion designer and Adjunct Professor of Apparel Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

New York Law School Professor Dan Hunter moderated the panel.

IP Surprise: Roller Derby

On Thursday, November 12, 2009 the IILP hosted its second IP Surprise series of the semester, "IP Surprise: Roller Derby." Guest lecturer Ms. Quinn Heraty '00 of Heraty Law PLLC discussed copyright issues relating to skater and league depictions in graphic novels and bout-related photography, the skaters' personal "branding" and the skater name registry, and league, team, and skater trademark issues.

About Ms. Heraty:
Quinn Heraty ’00 is Founder of Heraty Law PLLC, a law firm specializing in serving the needs of businesses and professionals in the entertainment, music, and fashion industries. She focuses her legal practice on negotiating deals, advising clients about business issues, and dealing with trademark, copyright, licensing, and other intellectual property matters. Ms. Heraty’s clients include designers, writers, producers, musicians, record labels, roller derby leagues, apparel companies, artist management companies, filmmakers, actors, comedians, composers, bloggers, jewelers, music licensing companies, skateboard companies, photographers, theaters, publishing companies, PR/marketing firms, graffiti artists, and many more.

William Patry discussed his new book, Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars - November 2, 2009

Metaphors, moral panics, folk devils, predictable irrationality, and free market fundamentalism are just some of the topics William Patry will be discussing, along with his new book, Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars, at a luncheon event at NYLS.

In Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars, William Patry lays bare how we got to where we are: a bloated, punitive legal regime that has strayed far from its modest, but important roots. Patry demonstrates how copyright is a utilitarian government program--not a property or moral right. As a government program, copyright must be regulated and held accountable to ensure it is serving its public purpose.

A centrist and believer in appropriately balanced copyright laws, Patry concludes that calls for strong copyright laws, just like calls for weak copyright laws, miss the point entirely: the only laws we need are effective laws, laws that further the purpose of encouraging the creation of new works and learning. Our current regime, unfortunately, creates too many bad incentives, leading to bad conduct. Just as President Obama has called for re-tooling and re-imagining the auto industry, Patry calls for a remaking of our copyright laws so that they may once again be respected.

Guest Speaker Fred Benenson, Product Manager at Creative Commons  - November 5, 2009

While studying philosophy and computer science, Fred co-founded the Free Culture @ NYU chapter ofStudents for Free Culture, an international student movement focused on copyright reform, technology advocacy, and digital activism. In April 2008 Fred launched his thesis for his masters at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program named Cause Caller; a web service designed to help citizens organize virtual phone banks using VoIP-based telephony and a semantic media wiki.  He is currently employed as Creative Commons' Product Manager, developing products and doing outreach for the organization’s licenses and projects. In early 2009 Fred began working as an honorary research associate at Eyebeam in collaboration with senior resident Michael Mandiberg to curate contemporary art into the commons. During the fall of 2009, Fred began teaching as an adjunct instructor at NYU’s department of Media, Culture and Communication. This semester he is teaching “Copyright, Commerce and Culture".  Fred is based out of New York City and spends his spare time with the Rubik’s cube, his girlfriend, and cameras. 

Read more: http://fredbenenson.com/blog/about/#ixzz0QX5vVmQw, Under Creative Commons License:Attribution

A conference, titled Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Information Industry, will take place on Friday, October 23, 2009 at NYLS. The conference will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, information managers and university technology transfer officers for a daylong exploration of the information industry today, and information needs of tomorrow. Entrepreneurship issues as they apply to the information industry will be explored.

Speakers include Clay Shirky, Professor, New York University, author of "Here Comes Everybody," Owen Davis, Managing Director, NYC Seed, Edward Reinfurt, Executive Director, NYSTAR, Jim Kollegger, Genesys Partners, Vincent Tomaselli, Deputy Director, Columbia Center for Advanced Information Management, Daniel Shutzer, President, Financial Services Technology Consortium, and Dr. Steven Neiman, Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase.

The conference is sponsored by NYSTAR and is being coordinated by the NYS Science and Technology Law Center at Syracuse University Law School and the Institute for Information Law and Policy and the Center for Business Law and Policy, both at NYLS. There is no charge for the conference, but registration is required.

Streaming Video Available! Please click the name of each panel for archived video.

Welcome and Introduction and Keynote Address 

Welcome and Introduction:Ted Hagelin, Crandall Melvin Professor of Law; Director, NYS Science & Technology Law Center, Syracuse University College of Law

Keynote Address:Clay Shirky, Professor, NYU Interactive Telecommunications Program

Launching IT Startups 

Calvin Chu, Columbia Technology Ventures
Lee McKnight, Founder, CTO, Board of Directors, Wireless Grids Corp.
Sam Lessin, CEO, drop.io

Moderator: Richard Newman, Adj. Prof., Syracuse University College of Law

Financing IT Startups 

Owen Davis, Managing Director, NYC Seed
Marcene Sonneborn, Pres., Innovation Management Consulting; SBIR Specialist Jim Kollegger, Chairman, CEO, Genesys Partners

Moderator: Jerrold Spiegel, Frankfurt Kumit Klein & Selz PC

Industry IT Needs of Tomorrow 

Financial Services:

Daniel Schutzer, President, Financial Services Technology Consortium
Steven Neiman, Executive Director, VP, High Performance Computing, JPMorgan Chase

Medical Services:

Dr. G. Randall Green, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Syracuse, NY
David Lysack, President, C Speed, Liverpool, NY

Moderator: Houman Shadab, Professor of Law, New York Law School

Current State of IT R&D and Conference Close 

Current State of IT R&D

Daniel Shutzer, President, Financial Services Technology Consortium
Vincent Tomaselli, Deputy Director, Columbia Center for Advanced Information Management

Moderator: Dan Hunter, Professor of Law, New York Law School

Conference Close

Dan Hunter, Professor of Law; Director, Institute for Information Law & Policy, New York Law School

Conference Agenda (.pdf download)

IP Surprise: Luxury Brands & Trademark Enforcement - October 1, 2009

Joseph Gioconda, partner at DLA Piper, will speak about his role representing Hermes and other luxury brands at "IP Surprise: Luxury Brands & Trademark Enforcement" this evening, October 1st at 6:00 PM in room C400.  Mr. Gioconda focuses his practice on litigating and counseling in the areas of anticounterfeiting, trademarks and trade dress, domain name protection, copyrights, unfair competition and false advertising.

Patently Professional - September 24, 2009

Recent times have witnessed an explosion in the field of patent law. New developments in the law generate a constant need for lawyers with specialized backgrounds, both in the Patent and Trademark Office and in private and corporate practice. Even when other markets for the services of lawyers are affected by recession, the demand for patent attorneys typically remains high. As long as people invent or create, there is a need for intellectual property lawyers to protect and enforce intellectual property rights.

This panel featured New York Law School alumni currently working in the field of patent law. Students engaged in discussion with panelists regarding their current employment and the different paths they took to get there.

Intro to Fashion Law Lecture with Prof. Dan Hunter - September 3, 2009:
Do the letters DVF mean anything to you? Can you distinguish interlocking C's from interlocking G's? Why do some designers début their work in Paris and not in New York? Fashion may appear to be all labels and luxury, but there is a plethora of legal opportunities in fashion and numerous intellectual property questions in the fashion industry. The Institute for Information Law & Policy presents Fashionably Law: IP and Industry - an event series focused on the legal environment of the fashion business, the legal controversies in fashion, and the way that you can break into the industry.

Fashion Law is an emerging field within Intellectual Property, and the prevalence of cases involving the fashion industry is no passing trend. Copyright, trademark, and even patents each play a role in fashion law, but the field is too dynamic to group in just those labels. Current legislation regarding expanded design protection may change not just the fashion industry, but Intellectual Property as whole.  On Thursday, September 3rd, 2009, Professor Dan Hunter gave a lecture explaining exactly what fashion law is, what the current legal trends within the fashion industry are, and what roles attorneys play in the business.

What is the greatest principle in advertising law? Puffery! with Anthony diFrancesca (’05) - April 22, 2009

Anthony diFrancesca looked at the greatest principle in advertising law: puffery.  diFrancesca is an editor in ABC Television’s department of Broadcast Standards & Practices. He primarily is responsible for the clearance of commercials in several key categories including financial products and institutions, alcoholic beverages, hospitals and schools, petroleum products and energy companies, and paper products. Anthony also serves on ABCs Challenge Team which is ABC’s internal review process for competitive challenges to advertising on the network.

To download slides from Mr. diFrancesca's presentation click here.

The Future of Intellectual Property in a Digitized, Globalized World and Prospects for Reform at Home with Todd Dickinson - April 14, 2009

Todd Dickinson is the Executive Director of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, a bar association of over 16,000 members and one of the worlds leading policy and advocacy organizations in the field of intellectual property. He has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of intellectual property. He previously served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office under President Clinton. Mr. Dickinson has been both Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel for the General Electric Company, where he had corporate-wide responsibility for intellectual property matters. He was also a partner in the Howery law firm, where he was Co-Chair of its intellectual property practice.

Mr. Dickinson has written and spoken extensively on intellectual property issues, and has testified before Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the National Academy of Sciences on intellectual property administration and policy.

Mr. Q. Todd Dickinson was previously Vice-Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the American Bar Association and on the Executive Committee of the Intellectual Property Owners Association. He has been named as one of the “50 Most Influential People in Intellectual Property” three times by Managing Intellectual Property Magazine.

Mr. Dickinson earned his B.S. from Allegheny College in 1974 and his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1977. He is admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California, US Patent and Trademark Office, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Trademark Law in the Entertainment Industry with Edward T. Colbert - April 2, 2009

In this 75 minute program, IP lawyer Edward Colbert presented an overview of trademark essentials for the entertainment law practitioner. Topics included: How trademark protection attaches to goods and services – and when it doesn’t; How marks should be cleared prior to use; How to distinguish a strong mark from a weak one; The key elements in a successful trademark registration; How “trade dress” and URLs fit in the mix; and the means by which trademark rights are protected – and lost. Mr. Colbert, a partner at Kenyon & Kenyon, has over 30 years of experience in domestic and international trademark licensing and litigation. Among his other accomplishments, he participated in the creation o the US Olympic Committee licensing program and has been involved in licensing and enforcement of Olympic marketing rights. A frequent lecturer and writer, Mr. Colbert is head of Kenyon & Kenyon’s Trademark and Copyright Practice Group in Washington, D.C.

The Updated Facebook Policy: Who owns your posted information? - March 30, 2009
Speaker: Martin Schwimmer, Moses & Singer LLP

Martin Schwimmer spoke about the legal issues surrounding the updated Facebook policy and how the new policy could impact Facebook users. Martin Schwimmer is a partner in Moses & Singer's Intellectual Property practice, representing Fortune 500 companies as well as social media start-ups. His practice is concentrated in the area of U.S. and international copyright, trademark law and domain name counseling, prosecution and litigation. Managing Intellectual Property magazine identified Mr. Schwimmer as one of the best trademark lawyers in the United States. He also publishes "The Trademark Blog" (www.schwimmerlegal.com), widely recognized as a leading source of trademark news and case analysis, which was listed on the ABA Journal's "Blawg 100" for 2007.

To view the video from this event, click here.

IP SURPRISE! Video Game Development a presentation by Jim Charne - March 17, 2009

Jim writes "Famous Last Words," a monthly column on legal and contracting issues for developers found on the web at www.igda.org. He is a Santa Monica, CA-based lawyer who has provided legal representation for clients in all aspects of computer and video game entertainment since the mid-1980's.

Book Party for David Post to Celebrate the Publication of his book - In Search of Jefferson's Moose: Notes on the State of Cyberspace - March 11, 2009

Who governs the Internet, and how? What kind of law does it have, what kind of law should it have, and who will make the law? David Post discussed these questions and more, as well as his new book, In Search of Jefferson's Moose: Notes on the State of Cyberspce (Oxford 2009), which looks at these questions through Jefferson's eyes - recreating Jefferson's encyclopedia of the New World from Notes on the State of Virginia (1786) - but this time for cyberspace.

Advertising and Games: Emerging Issues - February 5, 2009

Co-sponsored by the NY State Bar. Panelists included Greg Boyd, NYLS and Davis & Gilbert LLP; Sean Kane, Drakeford & Kane, LLC; Maria Mandel, Ogilvy & Mather; Adam Sultan, Majesco Entertainment.  Greg Boyd moderated the panel.

Lawyering and Legal Profession 2.0 - February 3, 2009

The Center for Professional Values and Practice and the Institute for Information Law and Policy presented Lawyering and Legal Profession 2.0. Mr. Paul Lippe, CEO, Legal OnRamp, spoke about how social networking will change law practice.

Is Facebook Fair Game? - November 13, 2008

Professor James Grimmelmann discussed how privacy law applies to Facebook - and how Facebook might affect privacy law.  A program in Law and Journalism event, moderated by Professor Brandt Goldstein. 

 

Common Ground in a Digital Music World: Strategies that Work for Everyone - November 12, 2008

This two part panel discussion analyzed current issues affecting both artists and online businesses operating across the digital music world. Panelists will look at the current state of affairs, the interests of all participants, and the inevitable overlap. Discussion centered around licensing, filesharing, deal structures, and artist development. Panelists include David Rappaport, Davis Shapiro; Steve Masur, Masur Law; Dave Mazur, Masur Law; Adam Shore, The Daily Swarm; Adam Farrell, Beggars Group; Tres Williams, Thumbplay; David Kravets, Wired Magazine; Craig Averill, Serling, Rooks & Ferrara, LLP.

To view the video from this event, click here.

 

Game Theory Play Money: Introducing the New York Game Scene - November 7, 2008

Professor Grimmelmann was a panelist at this two part panel discussion that brought together academics and professionals who define New York City as a place to work, study, and play games. Hosted by the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, Columbia Business School, and DiGRA NY, the event explores the uniqe challenges and opportunities that the Tri-State presents to contemporary gaming.

E-Discovery: Career Paths in the Technology of Law - November 5, 2008

The ins and outs of conducting e-discovery were provided, and professors detailed the Certificate of Mastery in Law Practice. Michael Dalewitz, Senior Managing Partner at Peak Discovery, Inc, and NYLS alum, was our guest speaker.

Patent Law Lecture: Business Method Patents:The Effects of In Re Bilski - October 21, 2008

Jeffrey S. Dickey, a member of our Alumni Advisory Board lead the discussion.  For those of you unfamiliar with the case or its potential ramifications on business method patents, you can read up on the subject athttp://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2008/02/bilski-full-caf.html.

Considering Alternative Career Paths: Combining Legal Training and Experience with Technology Skills - October 16, 2008

A one hour program featuring discussion of how to combine law and knowledge management, as well as alternative career paths. Guest Speaker Alan J. Rothman, Project Manager of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP's Knowledge Management Department. Audio available HERE. 

IP Surprise: From Reservation to Check Out - Intellectual Property in the Hotel Industry - October 14, 2008

Lisa Cantos, Vice President & Associate General Counsel of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., will discuss the importance of brand management and information technology in the hospitality industry. Ms. Cantos has worked at Starwood 2004, and supports Starwood’s information technology, web, and interactive marketing groups along with Starwood’s nine hotel brands and the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program. 

E-Discovery: Career Paths in the Technology of Law - September 24, 2008

The ins and outs of e-discovery practice were provided, along with info on the NYLS Certificate of Mastery in Law Practice.  Featured Guest Speaker David Boyhan, Director of Electronic Discovery and Case Logistics at Merrill Lynch.

Trademark Clearance: The First Step - April 14, 2008

Joyce Creidy, Esq., Account Manager for CompuMark Global Trademark Solutions, hosted a one-hour clinic on the first steps of a proper trademark clearance, a requisite part of the due diligence an attorney should undertake before advising their client as to using a mark in the global economy. This extremely practice-oriented clinic taught students how to investigate usability of a mark, a must for any students considering a career in trademark law.

IP Surprise! - Protecting Intellectual property Without Law in the Magic Industry - April 10, 2008

A discussion with Jacob Loshin, Law Clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and author of Secrets Revealed: How Magicians Protect Intellectual Property without Law, discussed the challenges magicians face in protecting the intellectual property in their illusions and the creative ways in which the magic community has adapted to this challenge.

Intellectual Property Rights in Sports Statistics - April 10, 2008

Major League Baseball has requested certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Eighth Circuit ruling that the First Amendment protects use of player names and statistics in fantasy sports leagues. Adjunct Professor Marc Edelman, an Associate in the Sports & Entertainment Practice Group at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, analyzed the need to find a balance between state-law publicity rights and first amendment interests in the context of sports statistics and this dispute.

IP Surprise! - Comic Books, Characters and the Law - April 3, 2008

Deputy General Counsel for DC Comics & MAD Magazine Jay Kogan examined intellectual property protection afforded to fictional characters. In addition, he will discuss how comic book publishers and creators can seek to protect their own rights and avoid violating the rights of third parties. Kogan also explored some of the newest intellectual property challenges facing comic book publishers today.

The State of the U.S. Patent System: The Need for Balance - March 31, 2008

Intellectual Property will become one of the key geopolitical issues of the 21st century. Corporate perspectives in patent law practice have already begun to shift from protecting IP to maximizing intellectual capital. Guest lecturer Manny Schecter, Associate General Counsel of Intellectual Property Law at IBM, examined and discussed the impact of an imbalanced patent system on corporate practice and how the pending Patent Reform Act may shape these corporate perspectives.

IP Surprise! - Cutting-Edge Developments: Intellectual Property and Fashion Design - March 25, 2008

Susan Scafidi, Visiting Associate Professor of Law at Fordham Law School and author of the weblog Counterfeit Chic, discussed the increasing importance of intellectual property in the fashion world, trademark protection for designers, and the debate over copyright protection for fashion designs.

Symposium on Intellectual Property Licensing - March 14, 2008

The IILP's annual symposium, offering a lecture from each of the adjunct professors teaching Intellectual Property Licensing at NYLS this semester.  This symposium included discussions of licensing literary works for film adaptation with Jonathan Reichman, Partner at Kenyon & Kenyon; print media and the challenges of digitalization with Kay Murray,

IP Surprise! - Intellectual Property from Tee to Green - Applying the Art of Law to the Business of Golf - March 10, 2008

James H. Schnare II, General Counsel for Nicklaus Companies, LLC, discussed with guests the relevance of intellectual property to the golf industry, from celebrity lifestyle and marketing to protection of golf courses. This lecture was co-sponsored by the Center for Real Estate Studies at New York Law School.

IP Surprise! - Patents in the Videogame Industry - February 26, 2008

Dr. S. Gregory Boyd, Intellectual Property and New Media Associate at Davis & Gilbert LLP, joined us to discuss the steady rise of inventors and development companies seeking patent protection for ideas and inventions in the field of interactive media such as video games and virtual worlds.

State of Play V: Building the Global Metaverse - August, 19-22 2007

This pioneering global conference on virtual worlds invited experts across disciplines to discuss the future of cyberspace and the impact of these new immersive, social online environments on education, law, politics and society. The hallmark of the conference is its multi-disciplinary perspective.

State of Play IV: Terra Nova Symposium - January 12, 2006

Virtual Worlds and Massively Multiplayer Online Games are hugely popular, they are huge business, and they are hugely hyped. Nowadays, most people have heard about these strange worlds, many millions of them play in them or hang out in them, and it’s hard not to be exposed to endless news/magazine stories about them. This conference took stock of virtual world research, and asked “How did we get here?” and “Where now?”

State of Play III: Social Revolutions - October 6-8, 2005

State of Play III: Social Revolutions was the third annual State of Play conference on the future of cyberspace. It focused on social relationships in the metaverse and how to build vibrant, flourishing, creative places.

AAI Invitational Roundtable on Complexity, Networks and the Modernization of Antitrust with Professor Rudolph J.R. Peritz - September 19, 2005

One perspective for understanding competition that has garnered increased attention by those in antitrust is the field of science known as “complexity science.” The science of complexity attempts to describe and explain how systems and their occupants, including industries and firms, evolve and compete against one another over time through adaptation, co-evolution and other dynamic processes.

Lunch Colloquia - Fall 2005 

Every week the research fellows of the Institute and other members of the NYLS community gathered for learning lunches to discuss recent developments in intellectual property, technology, information and related areas of law.

State of Play II: Reloaded - October 28-30, 2004

State of Play II continued the conversation begun the previous year by focussing on the role of intellectual property and governance within virtual worlds. Examining the role that intellectual property protections can or should play in these synthetic places and the possibilities for using virtual spaces to promote democracy and self-governance.

State of Play: Law, Games and Virtual Worlds - November 13-15, 2003

State of Play was the first interdisciplinary conference to examine and explore the phenomenon of online games and virtual worlds in an effort to understand the phenomenon and discuss the complex social, psychological, and legal issues which arise therefrom.