NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ NARM) - NARM, the music business association, and the Country
Music Association (CMA) are proud to announce the final programming for the Entertainment Law Conference series in Nashville on Tuesday, Nov. 9 (1:00-5:30 PM/CT) at the Hutton Hotel (1808 West End Avenue). The half-day continuing legal education course will be part of scheduled events leading up to "The 44th Annual CMA Awards," which will be held Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) at the Bridgestone
Arena and broadcast live on the ABC Television Network.
The program will feature a keynote interview with the Honorable Marybeth Peters. In one of the final public events of her 16-year tenure as United States Register of Copyrights, Peters will discuss some of the remarkable policy changes that she has witnesses and influenced during her 45-year career in the Copyright Office, and her ideas about the future of copyright law.
The program also includes three timely and high-level panels that will address the impact of the 2010 elections on music, media and copyright legislation; the challenges and opportunities associated with creators' right to terminate assignments of copyright; and controversial recent court decisions that affect creators, including the YouTube and Veoh cases.
The first panel will feature bipartisan Washington, D.C. veterans who represent many music industry stakeholders. They will share their reactions to the 2010 elections, and the likely impact on music, media and copyright legislation in 2011 and 2012. Panelists include Victoria Bassetti, former Sr. VP, Industry and Government Affairs, EMI Group; Fred Cannon, Sr. VP, Government Relations, BMI; Elizabeth Frazee, Principal, TwinLogic Strategies; and Mitch Glazier, Exec. VP, Government and Industry Relations, RIAA. The panel will be moderated by Laurie Hughes of Hughes-Kessler Consulting in Nashville.
During the second panel, prominent lawyers will discuss and debate recent judicial decisions interpreting the DMCA's controversial notice-and-takedown safe harbor, as well as business, enforcement and legislativeoptions for creators frustrated by the courts. Panelists include Jacqueline Charlesworth who served for many years as General Counsel of the National Music Publishers Association and the Harry Fox Agency; Eric German of the prominent Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp law firm; Ken Steinthal who represents many leading Internet service providers; and leading Nashville litigator Timothy Warnock of Riley Warnock & Jacobson.
Duff Berschback from Sony/ATV will moderate a panel that will discuss the policy rationale underlying copyright termination, the practical challenges and costs of exercising termination rights, and the business opportunities that termination creates.Panelists include John Beiter, Zumwalt, Almon & Hayes, PLLC; and Bobby Rosenbloum, Greenberg Traurig.
A cocktail reception to honor Peters will follow the program. The reception will allow registrants to meet one-on-one with not only Peters, but all of the speakers featured throughout the program.
"Copyright law is integral to all aspects of the music industry, and is more important than ever in light of the changing landscape of the industry," said NARM President Jim Donio. "We are thrilled to bring such a comprehensive legal program to Nashville, especially during one of the most eventful weeks for the city."
"The Entertainment Law Conference is an exciting opportunity for CMA and NARM to work together to foster education and understanding of copyright law at a critical time for our industry," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. "CMA is committed to being a resource for our industry by providing opportunities to explore and discuss important issues."
