New York Comic Con 2024 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 first option, “Thursday and Sunday Courses (includes a Pro 4-Day Badge)”

Activation is required for all NYCC 2024 tickets prior to entering the event. You can activate your tickets once you pick them up onsite at NYComic24.com/Activate 

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

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

October 17, from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM

From Pencils to Pixels: Advocating for Comic Book Creators in the Age of AI 2024

This session, approved for 3.5 CLE credits of professional practice for NY, provides an expansive overview of the comic book industry. 

It covers the rise of digital comics, the importance of diverse representation, and the impact of AI on content creation and legal practices. Participants will delve into the implications of recent copyright and trademark rulings, such as Warner Chappell v. Nealy, which affirmed that copyright owners could seek damages for infringements regardless of when they occurred, and the Fair Use After Warhol decision, which clarified the limits of the fair use defense. The course also highlights movers and shakers in publishing, like Vault Comics, which continues to innovate with new titles from diverse creators.

October 20, from 12:30PM – 3:00PM

Drafting the Future – Comic Book Contract Negotiation and Drafting Practicum 2024

Approved for 2.5 CLE credits in professional practice for NY, this intensive course is designed for those ready to master contract negotiation and drafting in the comic book industry.

Attendees will participate in practical exercises, simulating real-world scenarios that reflect the latest industry trends. The course will address the legal nuances of AI-generated art, the evolving digital marketplace, and the emerging legal challenges facing creators and publishers. Special attention will be given to understanding the ramifications of the Warner Chappell v. Nealy case and the Fair Use After Warhol decision on contract language and creator rights.

This is an intensive two-hour course: attendees will do write a rough draft of key comic book agreement provisions, engage in client interview exercises tailored to the comic book industry, dive into mock negotiations, and issue-spot common problems in publishing contracts. Facilitated by seasoned comic book publishing attorneys, attendees will get a chance to issue-spot, draft, and engage in mock negotiations.

INSTRUCTORS:

Thomas A. Crowell, Esq.

Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. is the founder of the law firm of KeyLight Legal, where he 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, 3ed. 2023), and the first dedicated legal guide for the comic book industry: " The Pocket Lawyer for Comic Book Creators" (Focal Press 2014). He currently teaches IP law at CUNY Law School and entertainment law for Stage 32.

Additional speakers to be announced.