New York Comic Con 2023 CLE Registration

NYCC, in association with NACLE, and Thomas A. Crowell, welcome legal professionals to our exciting Continuing Legal Education courses. You may only register for one professional badge per application. If you would like to attend both classes, you should select the Thursday course with a 4-Day badge and the Sunday course with no badge purchase.


Activation is required for all NYCC 2023 tickets prior to entering the event. You can activate your tickets once you receive them in the mail or pick them up onsite at NYCC23.com/activate

Once CLE course registration has closed no late applications will be accepted due to the limited number of Industry badges available.

The past few years have affected the comic-book and related industries in profound ways. From the impact of paper shortages and embargoes on printers other the one hand, to the continued proliferation of comic book IP across the media landscape. In between we’ve had the rise (and fall?) of NFTs, the first AI-generated comic, and significant royalty disputes, and an increased emphasis on the diverse voices of creators.

Why not learn the fundamentals of this growing practice area? These CLE programs provide attendees a chance to learn from legal practitioners and former comic book publishing executives.

We do not provide the opportunity to purchase additional NYCC badges upon approval.

Please note: Industry badges do not guarantee seating and do not include admission into any ticketed Special Events. Special Events tickets must be purchased separately.

PLEASE NOTE: By applying for registration to either CLE course you are representing and warranting that you are a registered attorney in good standing at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Your eligibility for this course is subject to review and if you are deemed ineligible to complete this course, your course and badge will be refunded.

Once CLE course registration has closed no late applications will be accepted due to the limited number of Industry badges available.

CLE: THE LAW AND PRACTICE OF REPRESENTING COMIC BOOK CREATORS – 2023

The past year has been a time of tremendous change in the comic book industry, most prominently the impact of A.I.-generated artwork on the livelihoods and IP portfolios of the comic-book industry. We’ve had new guidance on fair use from the US Supreme Court, major upheavals at legacy publishers, and an increased emphasis on the diverse voices of creators.

The comic book industry has long been at the vanguard of emergent issues in entertainment and IP law; why not learn the fundamentals of this growing practice area with us? Our CLE provides attendees a chance to learn from legal practitioners and former comic book publishing executives.

AI, FAIR USE, AND REPRESENTING COMIC BOOK CREATORS AND PUBLISHERS IN 2023

October 12 from 10:45AM – 2:00PM

This seminar has been approved for 3.5 CLE credits in areas of professional practice for NY.

This revolutionary course dives deep into the comic book industry, unveiling the past year of explosive growth and seismic legal changes. We’ll give you a understanding of the pros and cons of AI-generated artwork and suggested approaches for contract drafting to avoid critical IP-pitfalls; discuss the impact of fair use in visual arts following the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith decision; and give you a “chef’s tour” of representing the comic book client today.

In this class, we will cover:

• The building blocks of comic book publishing legal practice


• An overview of the business and legal landscape of the comic book publishing and related industries in 2023


• The impact of AI on comic book creators and publishers with a deep dive into the conflict between AI and copyright law


• Changes in fair use of visual art after Warhol v. Goldsmith


• New legal developments and transactional approaches

CLE: PRACTICUM - COMIC BOOK PRACTICE “TEST DRIVE”

October 15 from 10:45AM – 1:00PM

This seminar has been approved for 2.5 CLE credits in areas of professional practice for NY.

Prepare to break into the comic book publishing industry in just two action-packed hours! Under the guidance of seasoned comic book publishing attorneys, you will draft a rough outline of crucial contract provisions, hone your client interview skills that are tailored for this sector, and engage in mock negotiations. You will get the chance to identify potential problems within publishing contracts and discover how to resolve them. Get ready to slip behind the wheel for a test-drive of comic book legal practice.

In this practicum you will take part in exercises designed to hone your skills in:

• Client intake: mock interviews to help your understanding of comic book creators and publishers as client


• Copyright and IP: issue-spotting copyright and IP issues common to the comic book industry


• Transactional drafting: we will focus on commonly-misdrafted provisions in comic book agreements


• Negotiation: mock negotiations between creators and publishers designed to help shore up your understanding of what your negotiation counterpart may not want you to know.

INSTRUCTORS

Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. counsels clients on a wide range of entertainment law and intellectual property rights issues, in practice areas that range from film and television to comic book publishing, music, and the graphic arts.

Thomas is the series editor of the Focal Press "Pocket Lawyer for ... " series and author of both "The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers" (Focal Press, 2ed. 2011), and the first dedicated legal guide for the comic book industry: " The Pocket Lawyer for Comic Book Creators" (Focal Press 2014). He currently teaches copyright and IP law at CUNY Law School and entertainment law for Stage 32.

Gamal Hennessy, Esq. is an entertainment transactional attorney specializing in comic book publishing and IP licensing. He began his career as the general counsel for the anime company Central Park Media before moving to Marvel Comics to become their International Publishing Manager. After Marvel, he set up Creative Contract Consulting to help independent creators and publishers protect their rights and revenue. Gamal is the author of The Business of Independent Comic Book Publishing and the founder of the Comics Publishing Institute. Both projects help comic creators understand the comic book industry and develop profitable business models.

Jeff Trexler, Esq. is the Interim Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund as well as the Associate Director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School.

Jason Yarn, Esq. is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents and an attorney registered in the state of New York who represents award winning and #1 New York Times bestselling authors and illustrators of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children.

Additional speakers to be announced..

Show Floor Hours:

Thursday, October 12: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, October 13: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 14: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 15: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Artist Alley Hours:

Thursday, October 12: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday, October 13: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 14: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 15: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Panel Hours:

Thursday, October 12: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday, October 13: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, October 14: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, October 15: 10:45 AM – 5:00 PM

Age Restrictions: Children 5 and under will be admitted for free all weekend and no badge is required. Sunday Kids badges are for those ages 6-12 and advanced registration is required. Please prepare to show proof of age onsite.

Other Important Information

NYCC badges are non-refundable, non-transferable, non-upgradable and non-resellable.

New York Comic Con has ZERO TOLERANCE for harassment of any kind. If a person engages in harassing behavior, New York Comic Con Staff will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from New York Comic Con with no refund. Our policy applies to EVERYONE at the convention. Exhibitors, Fans (Attendees), Speakers, Guests, Professionals, Press, Staff and Security are all subject to our Anti-Harassment Policy.

Safety, Security & Wellness: Visit our Safety, Security & Wellness page for the most up-to-date info, including our Code of Conduct.

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