Sneaker Law: Not Just For Sneakerheads Anymore

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

Do you love to inhale the scent of a freshly-opened box of kicks? Do you get your “exclusives” from a store with an unmarked door? Would you love to know what copyright law has to do with sneakers? (It’s not just for trademark lawyers anymore!) Or are you just interested in the totally cool and burgeoning world of copyright and sneaker law?

Join us as we talk to two gurus of sneaker law, Kenneth Anand and Jared Goldstein, and one of the biggest independent sneaker designers on the scene, Stephanie Howard, as we discuss the nexus of “the law of the sneaker” and copyright law. We’ll talk about licensing practices, major business models and strategies, protecting creative works through copyright and trademark (and possibly design patents), the effect of the Supreme Court’s Star Athletica holding on sneaker law, and the rights of designers vs. work-for-hire contracts.

This is an outstanding chance to hear, converse, and have fun with some of the brightest lights in the sneaker industry as they lead us through this exciting field.

SPEAKERS:

Kenneth Anand, author and co-founder of SNEAKER LAW, is also one of the co-founders of 3 8 0 Group, a licensing company specializing in the production and distribution of premium apparel, footwear & accessories. From 2017-2019, Kenneth was General Counsel & Head of Business Development at Kanye West’s sneaker and fashion brand, YEEZY Apparel. Prior to YEEZY, Kenneth practiced law for over 15 years, advising companies, executives, and entrepreneurs in employment, intellectual property, and entertainment matters with an emphasis in the fashion industry. Through his work with 3 8 0 & YEEZY, Kenneth has established himself as a leading business and legal expert and regularly lectures on topics involving sneakers and fashion.

Jared Goldstein, author and co-founder of SNEAKER LAW, is also Legal Counsel at LiveIntent, an ad-tech and marketing company. Jared assists LiveIntent with all in-house legal matters, including advertising, technology, digital media, privacy and data protection, IP, compliance, and corporate issues. Prior to LiveIntent, Jared worked at Undertone and Complex Media, where he assisted their legal departments with a wide array of matters related to advertising, technology, IP, licensing, digital media, compliance, and other issues. Jared also published several articles for Complex about a variety of legal issues related to the legal protection of sneaker designs. Additionally, Jared has represented various clients in the entertainment, music, and fashion industries.

Stephanie Howard, Founder and Creative Director, HOW AND WHY. With over 25 years of experience including a Design Director role at Nike Inc, Lead Designer at New Balance, and Innovation Director at Seventh Generation, Stephanie Howard formed HOW AND WHY in 2010. HOW AND WHY is an award winning consulting studio, working on Visual Brand Language, Product Design, and Innovation Strategy for purpose-driven companies. Prior to this, she laid the foundation for advanced innovation strategy at Seventh Generation – voted in the Top 10 of Fast Company magazine’s Most Innovative Consumer Products Companies, and a leader in corporate responsibility. At Nike, she led the Women’s Running footwear design initiative, and later set a creative vision as Design Director of Nike and Bauer Hockey. Stephanie has designed over 100 products that have been in the market, has multiple design and utility patents, and has worked with brands including Nike, Bauer, Reebok, New Balance, Converse, The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Titleist, Tracksmith, Smartwool, and Xtratuf. In the sneaker world, she’s most well known as the designer of the New Balance 850, which originally launched in 1996 and was re-released in 2019. The story behind the radical design departure has been told in interviews with sneaker authorities such as Sneaker Freaker Magazine and Bodega. Stephanie recently joined the board of directors of Women in Sports Tech, an organization with the mission to drive growth opportunities for women throughout the sports tech landscape.

Bhamati Viswanathan (Moderator) is an independent legal scholar and an Affiliate Faculty in the Business of Creative Enterprise program at Emerson College. She was awarded an S.J.D. and an LL.M. by the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A., cum laude, from Williams College. Bhamati has recently written a book entitled Cultivating Copyright: How Creative Industries Can Harness Intellectual Property to Survive the Digital Age (Routledge/Taylor & Francis Press: July 2019). Bhamati is passionate about educating creators and creative industry participants about the value and usefulness of copyright, and she is particularly committed to helping empower artists of color in the U.S. and the developing world. Bhamati is a Trustee of the Copyright Society of the USA. She is also a Trustee of the Williams Asian and Asian American Alumni Network. She resides in Boston.

CLE CREDIT:

The Copyright Society is a Certified CLE Provider in New York and California. Program will satisfy 1.5 CLE credits. The intermediate program is transitional and appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

Instructions for verifying attendance will be emailed to registrants prior to the program.

COST:

*Student membership is just $35 for our October 2020-September 2021 season, and gives full-time students access to our Media Library resources in addition to free or deeply reduced admission to our programs. Join here >>