IIP Presentations

Irwin IP attorneys frequently provide presentations on substantive issues of intellectual property and entertainment law at the behest of clients and for Continuing Legal Education events. Some of these presentations deemed most responsive to client’s frequent questions are provided below for your convenient reference.

The materials and information contained herein, and in the linked presentations, are intended to provide general information only and not legal advice. Please note that the provided information, and the linked presentations, reflect information from the time of their collection and creation and, thus, some practices, rules, and law may be different now than when the provided information was collected and the presentations were created. You should consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction and not rely upon the information presented here. Viewing materials provided through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Patent Law

Patent Law Update

Covers select developments in patent and trade secret law between 2014 and 2016, including changes to the standard of patentability and patent infringement damages, as well as the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act.

Northern District of Illinois Local Patent Rules

A brief summary of the local patent rules of the Northern District of Illinois (as they read in October of 2014).

2021 Patent Law Year in Review

Copyright Law

Copyright Law for Photographers 2019

Covers matters such as the taking, publication, licensing, and policing of photographs and other issues frequently implicated in photography such as authorship, privacy rights, and the posting of works on social media.

Will Copyright Survive in the Digital Age?

Discusses subjects of contemporary controversy regarding the purpose and goals of copyright law, the role it plays in the modern entertainment world, and difficult issues such as the liability of content service providers for the acts of their users.

DMCA Safe Harbors

Examines the four safe harbors created by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, as well as certain landmark cases construing the extent of protection afforded by those safe harbors.

Entertainment Law

Artist Management and Studio Agreements

Covers typical types of agreements and contractual provisions encountered by artists in the music industry.

Band Law for Bands

A book written by Barry Irwin and Adam Reis meant to introduce musicians to the fundamental issues typically faced by bands, including band agreements, copyright ownership and registration, licensing issues, and recording contract negotiations.

Current Issues in Music Law

Analysis of recent cases pertaining to copyright infringement of musical works and sound recordings, including “Happy Birthday To You,” “Blurred Lines,” and “Stairway to Heaven,” as well as cases pertaining to infringement of pre-1972 sound recordings.

Legal Issues in Poetry

Covers matters such as the creation, publication, and licensing of poetry and other issues frequently faced by poets such as authorship, privacy rights, and agency/publication agreements.

Band Formation

Presentation designed to help LCA volunteers gain a working knowledge of specialized area of arts law required to represent the LCA Music Client and to provide information and analysis of the common issues faced during band formation.

Song Rights

Presentation to help lawyers gain a working knowledge of specialized area of arts law required to represent the LCA Music Client in the creation and protection of musical compositions and sound recordings.

General IP Law

Propriedad Intelectual – Una Introducción

Provides an overview of intellectual property principles (patent, copyright, and trademark law) for Spanish-language artists and entrepreneurs. Esta presentación es una introducción a la propiedad intellectual y como se protege legalmente mediante patentes (para un invento, que es un producto, aparato, o proceso que ofrece una solución técnica o científica), derechos de autor (para obras artísticas, literarias, o expresivas), y marcas comerciales (símbolos, nombres, frases, o diseños unido a un producto o servicio que idenifican un negocio específico).

PoP IP Principles Through Disputes

Examines the impact that major types of intellectual property law have on the Toy and Games Industry; explores examples of particularly influential disputes; and provides useful tips for practitioners, entrepreneurs, and companies that work in the space.