Computing Machines Creating Protectable Works: The Future of Copyright?

About the Program

New technologies have always pushed the boundaries of copyright law, as existing doctrines have been stretched to encompass novel and unprecedented scenarios.  The next frontier will involve works created directly by computers, but the copyright implications are by no means clear.  Are these original and creative works made by a human author (and if so, who) or substantially by independent artificial intelligence?  To what scope of protection are they entitled, if any?  This program will gather cutting-edge legal and technological speakers to introduce and explore these brave new questions.

Speakers

Gena Feist is Rockstar Games’ Senior Counsel and Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Rockstar Label Affairs, at Take Two Interactive Software.  Rockstar Games develops and publishes some of the most successful video game series in the world including Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead, and Max Payne.  Ms. Feist is responsible for a wide range of legal matters for the Rockstar Games label including worldwide intellectual property, privacy, security, regulatory, and litigation matters.  She advises Rockstar on day-to-day matters including product development, marketing, websites, data collection, merchant and vendor relationships, and game content ratings.  Ms. Feist advises on the creation of original content for Rockstar’s games and supervises the clearance process for original content and licensed material.  Ms. Feist also coordinates the worldwide protection of Rockstar Games’ trademarks, copyrights, and patents.  Prior to joining Take Two Interactive Software in 2006, Ms. Feist practiced with Debevoise & Plimpton’s Intellectual Property Group.
 
David Nunez is Managing Partner at Midnight Commercial, an innovation consultancy in the Brooklyn Navy Yard that works with C-suite leaders and global design teams to invent new products and experiences that help brands lead from the future. Selected clients have included Google, Target, Cartier, Samsung, PBS, and JK Rowling’s Lumos organization. He is a creative technologist and robot builder, executing projects at the intersection of art, design, and technology. David held a Visiting Scientist appointment with the Opera of the Future group at the MIT Media Lab, where he explored expressive movement of machines and robots, including robot generated artwork. He was a lecturer at Northeastern University, teaching programming in the College of Arts, Media and Design. David conducted his graduate research at the MIT Media Lab, studying how robots and human beings interact, and he holds a degree in Computer Science and Managerial Studies from Rice University.
 
William (“Bill”) Patry is Senior Copyright Counsel at Google and the former author of the Patry Copyright Blog. He served as copyright counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives in the early 1990s, and worked as a policy planning advisor to the Register of Copyrights.  Bill is the author of the seven-volume treatise Patry on Copyright, and has authored two books, Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars (2009) and How to Fix Copyright (2011).  In his spare time he plays bass clarinet and basset horn, and loves cycling.

Barry Werbin (moderator) is counsel at Herrick, Feinstein LLP and a member of its Intellectual Property and Technology Group.  Barry concentrates his practice in copyright, trademark, publicity rights, unfair competition, e-commerce, software and technology issues.  In addition to litigating infringement and licensing cases, including those involving computer screen interfaces and software systems, Barry handles a broad variety of content and brand licensing transactions, Internet marketing agreements, publishing deals, IP due diligence, software development, IT support agreements, and data and computer security breaches. He is former Chair of the NYC Bar Association’s Copyright & Literary Property Committee, and currently serves as a member of the CSUSA NYC Planning Committee, co-chair of the NYS Bar EASL Section’s Publicity, Privacy and Media Committee and a member of the EASL Executive Committee.  Barry also lectures on software and copyright protection at St. John’s and Brooklyn Law Schools.

Cost & CLE

Buffet Lunch Included in the Ticket Price

Members:  $45
Non-Members:  $80
Student Members:  $35 — Use promo code MAYSTUDENT when registering. Must be a current full-time student member of the Society and able to present a valid student ID at check-in.

The Copyright Society is a New York State and Pennsylvania Accredited CLE Provider.
Program will provide 1 NY and 1 PA CLE Credit.

New to the Copyright Society of the USA?
To learn about the benefits of membership, please visit www.csusa.org/join.

Already a member but need to renew for the 2016-17 season? 
Please visit www.csusa.org/join and click renew.

DEADLINES

Final Registration Deadline: May 14, Midnight EDT

Cancellation Policy

Refunds must be requested in writing at least three business days before the event. Refunds will not be issued after that point. Unfortunately, we will not be able to credit your registration payment toward a future event, but you may allow another person attend in your place. If possible, let us know that person’s name, affiliation and the city and state in which s/he works or lives so that we can make her/his name badge.

Financial Aid Policy

The Copyright Society of the USA provides a limited number of scholarships each year to judges, law clerks, law professors, law students, attorneys, and nonprofit organization employees. For information on how to apply, please click here.