Reclaiming Rights Under Section 203: Who Can Play the Terminator?
Jay Rosenthal will be speaking on the panel, “Reclaiming Rights Under Section 203: Who Can Play the Terminator?” at the 2019 Copyright Society of the USA’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 9, 2019. This panel will take place at 12:15 PM (EDT).
Section 203 of the Copyright Act provides creators and their heirs with a unique opportunity to reclaim rights in a work by terminating any transfers or licenses 35 years after the date of assignment. Commonly known as termination rights, the provisions of Section 203 are meant to give authors of creative works a chance to reclaim rights they may have assigned without bargaining power or a full understanding of the value of the underlying work. While termination rights have been successfully invoked by musicians, songwriters, and other creators in the past, 203 contains an important exclusion for works made for hire—the definition of which is now being challenged by two lawsuits brought by recording artists against major labels.
This panel will bring together academics, industry professionals, and creators to discuss the history of Section 203 and explore the significance of cases set to test the boundaries of 203 and what it means for authors of creative works to get a “second bite at the apple.”
Moderator:
- Kevin Madigan, Deputy Director, Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property, Antonin Scalia Law School | George Mason University
Speakers:
- Jay Rosenthal, Partner, MSK
- Lisa A. Alter, Partner, Alter, Kendrick & Baron, LLP
- Lita Rosario, Principal, WYZ Girl Entertainment Consulting
- Tyler Ochoa, High Technology Law Institute, Santa Clara University School of Law