with Azita Mirzaian, Esq. & Vera Golosker, Esq.

Program description:

You have written, developed, drawn, painted, or produced a creative work – now, who owns the work and controls the right to exploit it?  Separate fact from fiction in this workshop that covers the basics of copyright law and protection of your art.  Join CLA and Pierce Law Group LLP attorneys Azita Mirzaian and Vera Golosker for an overview of United States copyright law as it relates to the arts and entertainment industries.  Topics that will be covered include: what is and is not protected by copyright law; rights conferred by the Copyright Act; the benefits of registering a copyright; works-made-for-hire; fair use (including a discussion of parody and satire); the difficulties with so-called “idea theft” claims; and the evolution and future of copyright law.

Presenters:

Azita Mirzaian, Esq.  Azita’s practice includes entertainment litigation in the areas of copyright, trademark, right of publicity, contract disputes, defamation, and labor and employment law issues in the film and television industry.  She also works in the areas of film clearance matters and child actor contract ratifications.  Azita is the Vice Chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section; is on the Executive Committee of the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Entertainment Section; and is a founding member of California Society of Entertainment Lawyers.  She is the author of The Utility of Prettiness: Copyright Protection for Mardi Gras Indian Suits in the Era of the Useful Article Analysis, published in the Summer 2012 issue of The Journal of the Copyright Society of the USA.

Vera Golosker, Esq.  Vera’s practice is primarily in litigation involving trademark and copyright infringement, labor and employment law, breach of contract, and fraud in the entertainment industry.  She also works on contract drafting, as well as corporate formation and maintenance for independent filmmakers.  Vera is a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property, Internet, and New Media Sections, and is on the Continuing Legal Education Seminar Committee of California Society of Entertainment Lawyers.  She is also a member of Bet Tzedek’s New Leadership Council.  Vera is the author of The Transformative Tribute - How Mash-Up Music Constitutes Fair Use of Copyrights, published in the Hastings Communication and Entertainment Law Journal’s Spring 2012 issue.

Parking:

Validation for free self-parking in the Galleria complex will be available for a limited number of attendees on a first come, first served basis.

These workshops are made possible, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and The City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs.  Additional support provided by the California Arts Council.