EVENT ALERT: Professor Evans to Speak the Maryland Writers Conference 4-24-10

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, Professor Tonya M. Evans, intellectual property and literary law expert and award-winning author of a series of legal reference guides for writers, will present a lively and engaging presentation on some of the most common and pressing legal issues and hot topics facing writers and other creative people in the twenty-first century. 

Topics sure to be covered include how copyright is created and protected, what is considered a fair use in print and on the Internet, what can and cannot be copyrighted, how legally to refer to real people, places, and events in one’s own work, the real deal about the myth of the Poor Man’s copyright, and the critical timing of when to register your work with the Copyright Office. Plus, Professor Evans will field audience questions and sign copies of her books during the event, including Literary Law Guide for Authors, Copyright Companion for Writers, and Contracts Companion for Writers (all available at the newly redesigned Legal Write Publications website!).


The Maryland Writers' Association (MWA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art, business, and craft of writing. MWA strives to bring together writers of all levels and disciplines, serve as an information resource, help members make contacts that lead to publication, encourage writers to reach their full potential, and promote writing within the community.MWA's diverse membership ranges from professional freelancers and published authors, to writers aspiring to be published and those who write as a creative outlet.

Professor Evans Presents Paper at 2010 IP Scholars Conference @ Drake Law

Today Professor Evans presents her article title "Sampling, Looping and Mashing ... Oh My! How Hip Hop is Scratching More Than the Surface of Copyright Law" at the 2010 Intellectual Property Scholars Roundtable held at Drake University Law School. This roundtable brings together intellectual property and technology law scholars from around the world to present their works-in-progress. This interdisciplinary roundtable provides academics with a forum for sharing their latest research and an opportunity for peer networking.

More information

Tonya discusses IP, Technology & Web 2.0 on Smart Talk Radio - 3/17/10

Copyright 2010 Tonya M. Evans info@legalwritepublications.com. Limited license granted to copy and distribute this post provided such copying and distributing is of the entire post, and includes the author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.

I will be on Smart Talk Radio, Tuesday March 17th at 9:00 AM EST talking about intellectual property and technology in the 21st century, and Web 2.0. Tune in to listen, learn and laugh during this informative and informal chat with host Scott Gilbert. This show is a follow up to a symposium titled  recently held at Widener University School of Law - Harrisburg, hosted by the Widener Law Journal. 

 The event, held on Feb. 22nd, titled “Internet Expression in the 21st Century: Where Technology and Law Collide” featured four panels throughout the day, focused on topics of privacy, criminal procedure, intellectual property, and ethics. Nearly 75 people attended. Conversation centered on ways new media, like Facebook and Twitter, have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives, and their potential to force changes in legal protections and individual constitutional freedoms.

Tune in to listen and learn about this hot topic in an informal and engaging format.

NYC Bound to Present at the 2010 ASPICOMM Self-Publishing Symposium

Join me this Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the 4th Annual Self-Publishing Symposium to be held at the Schomburg Center in NYC. 


I will share insider secrets and valuable information about the legal matters that matter to writers. Whether you’re a self-published author, small/independent press or writer considering self-publishing, you won’t want to miss this opportunity learn successful business strategies from industry experts, network with professionals and make powerful connections, and grow your business to new heights.

More info ...

'10 Digital Music Report Says Industry Still Reeling from P2P & New Forms of Infringement

Copyright 2010 Tonya M. Evans info@legalwritepublications.com. Limited license granted to copy and distribute this post provided such copying and distributing is of the entire post, and includes the author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.

The International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reports in its 2010 Digital Music Report (pdf) that despite hundreds of legit online music offerings (Pandora, Live365 etc.) and higher revenues in 2009, the music industry remains damaged by peer-to-peer file sharing and other forms of online infringement. Conflicting case law internationally, reports the IFPI, is further muddying the waters.

The IFPI has argued for several years that internet service providers (ISPs) "should take more responsibility for policing their networks through a 'graduated response' (or ‘three-strikes and you’re out’) mechanism that includes notices and warning letters to suspected infringers followed by internet access suspension if the first two stages are ineffective." Read more at IP-Watch.org.


Professor Tonya M. Evans
www.ProfTonyaEvans.com
ipprof.blogspot.com

Did you know ... Benefits of Copyright Registration

Copyright 2010 Tonya M. Evans info@legalwritepublications.com. Limited license granted to copy and distribute this post provided such copying and distributing is of the entire post, and includes the author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.

Did you know ... from THE OFFICIAL Literary Law Guide expert, Tonya M. Evans

Registration of your copyright with The Copyright Office creates a public record of the facts and circumstances pertaining to it. While registration is not necessary for your copyright to exist, You should register it for further protection. The Copyright Act gives you certain advantages under the law if you do register your work. 

More information available in FREE e-Reports and Literary Law Guide for Authors: Copyright, Trademark and Contracts in Plain Language. 

 Types of Registration 

1.  eCo - electronic Copyright Office
2. Fill-in Forms
3. Paper Forms

Google Objects to Goojje in China

Copyright 2009 Tonya M. Evans info@legalwritepublications.com. Limited license granted to copy and distribute this post provided such copying and distributing is of the entire post, and includes the author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.

"Imitation Web sites of both Google and YouTube have emerged in China as the country faces off against the real Google over its local operations." Read more about Google/YouTube Knockoff Goojje

Court Reduces Shocking File Sharing Award

 "A federal judge on Friday reduced a $1.92 million file sharing verdict to $54,000 after concluding the award for infringing 24 songs was “shocking.”"

Read More Court Reduces ‘Shocking’ File Sharing Award

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Soundtracks vs. Comebacks: Music Sampling Gets Scored

Interesting commentary about the reliance on and legal pitfalls of sampling in hip hop music.

I welcome your comments on the following question: Why do hip hop artists and producers prefer to sample the actual performance of a song (which includes rights in the musical composition a/k/a underlying work and and the actual sound recording) rather than just re-create the sounds in studio? Your thoughts?

Soundtracks vs. Comebacks: Music Sampling Gets Scored

Broadcast Premiere on PBS’s Emmy Award-Winning Documentary Series Copyright Criminals

Broadcast Premiere

January 19, 2010

This compelling Doc asks ...

"Can you own a sound?"

Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money.

This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.”The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more.

It also provides an in-depth look at artists who have been sampled, such as Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown’s drummer and the world’s most sampled musician), as well as commentary by another highly sampled musician, funk legend George Clinton.As artists find ever more inventive ways to insert old influences into new material, this documentary asks a critical question, on behalf of an entire creative community: Can you own a sound?

Support for Copyright Criminals provided in part by the Independent Television Service, Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and the University of Iowa.

"...an amazing documentary on the history of sampling" -Rob Sheffield. Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone

USA Today calls Copyright Criminals "...a compelling and insightful documentary illuminating both sides of a hotly debated issue."

Tonya Chats with Denise Turney on BlogTalkRadio this Saturday!

Greetings,

Be sure to tune in on Saturday at 11 AM (EDT) when I sit down with Denise Turney and talk openly about how entertainment, book and major motion picture movie contracts are written to profit record, book publishers and film companies ? not artists.

I will also examine how literary agents and attorneys help or hurt a writer?s career. Listeners who tune into the one-hour feature interview will learn key contract agreements to look for or request before they sign a record, book or major motion picture deal. Listeners will also learn what they can do to get their finances and product rights in order in the event that they have already signed a bad contract.

Plus, I will be giving away complimentary copies of my books!

More information and to tune in to BlogTalkRadio.com ...

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/denise-turney-

First Annual "World Fair Use Day" Coming 1/12/2010!

World?s Fair Use Day (WFUD) is a free, all-day celebration of the doctrine of fair use: the legal right that allows innovators and creators to make particular uses of copyrighted materials. WFUD will take place at the Newseum in Washington D.C. on Tuesday January 12, 2010, and will be organized by Public Knowledge (PK), a Washington D.C.-based non-profit, consumer-advocacy group. PK works to ensure that communications and intellectual property policies encourage creativity, further free expression and discourse and provide universal access to knowledge. As part of its campaign to return balance to copyright law, PK hopes to use WFUD to educate the public about the importance of fair use in an information society.

WFUD will be widely attended and will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to network with policymakers, artists, academics, business innovators, media professionals, press, and consumer advocates.

To RSVP (events are free!) and for details visit http://wfud.info.