The CASE Act: A New Way for Artists to Protect Their Copyrights (CLE)

Location: Online

Copyright infringement lawsuits must be brought in federal court—expensive, time-consuming process that is not well-suited for the resolution of claims involving hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars. The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019 (“CASE Act”) creates a voluntary alternative but binding tribunal within the copyright office for copyright claims of $30,000 or less: the Copyright Claims Board, which will be operational by January 2022. We will discuss the specifics of the Copyright Claims Board, and the pros and cons of bringing or defending a copyright claim before it.

Continuing Legal Education: This program offers 1.5 Professional Practice CLE Credit (Approved for Non-Transitional and Transitional Attorneys).

Instructors:

DAVID LEICHTMAN, ESQ., Managing Partner at Leichtman Law PLLC
David Leichtman is the Managing Partner of trial firm Leichtman Law PLLC. The firm was founded in 2017 to provide efficient trial and dispute resolution services to its clients. The lawyers in the firm have extensive experience trying cases in federal and state courts around the country in all areas of commercial and intellectual property litigation, and specifically in the entertainment and media industries as well as others. Mr. Leichtman also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Volunteer Lawyers For The Arts from 2009-2018, where he remains on the Executive Committee of the board. He has been named a New York SuperLawyer every year since 2010. In 2016, The New York Law Journal selected him as a Lawyer Who Leads by Example for providing crucial pro bono legal services in New York. He is also a fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, a highly selective Trial Lawyer Honor Society, where he is also a founding member and the vice president of its Intellectual Property Institute. For more information go to https://www.leichtmanlaw.com.

MICHAEL B. SMITH, ESQ., Partner, Lupkin PLLC
Michael B. Smith is a seasoned litigator with a focus on media and technology. He represents individuals and organizations in a broad array of intellectual property and complex commercial disputes before the state and federal courts of New York, Massachusetts, and California as well as various arbitral tribunals. Before joining Lupkin PLLC, a Manhattan litigation boutique, he was the senior attorney for PlayStation’s Latin American business unit and served as General Counsel to Legendary Digital Networks (formerly Nerdist Industries).

Fees:

For members, please email registrations@vlany.org to receive your special discount code, which will allow you to access and purchase your discounted ticket.

• $25 Full-Time Student (must present proof of full-time status with registration)
• $25 Artists Over Sixty
• $35 Arts Professional VLA Member
• $55 Arts Professional Non-Member
• $150 Legal Professional VLA Member
• $200 Legal Professional Non-Member
• $120 Young Associate Members (YAM’s)

Please note that if you wish to receive CLE credit, you must purchase an attorney ticket (Legal Professional Non-Member or Legal Professional Member).

For attorneys, there are various scholarships available. To view our Financial Aid Policy Guidelines and for more information on how to apply, click here.