10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 101: Let’s Get It Started— A very good place to start...to start learning how to protect your intellectual property rights, that is! Learn the basics of copyright and trademark law in this popular interactive lecture series brought to you by noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book. This first workshop covers the basics of protection and ownership of ideas, works of authorship, characters, and names from conception through publication and beyond. Attendees will participate in an interactive discussion about basic rights provided under U.S. copyright and trademark laws, as well as new decisions and changes in the law and how they could affect those rights. Along the way, there will be plenty to learn about the protections, and pitfalls, of the U.S. trademark and copyright systems. Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for one (1) credit of California MCLE.] Room 30CDE
Categories:  Art and Illustration | Cartooning and Comic Strips | Comic Books | Comics Law School | Seminars & Workshops | Webcomics | Writers & Writing

1:00-2:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #3: Comics and the Law— James Cooper (California Western School of Law) illustrates how legal scholarship can be presented in a comics format. Glenn Zucman (CSU-Long Beach) and Lee Le (CSU-Long Beach) address the question "Is Intellectual Property an Oxymoron?" in both the traditional comics medium as well as new forms of interactivity and distribution. Room 30AB
Categories:  Comic Books | Comics Arts Conference | Comics Law School | Superheroes

5:00-6:00 The Pitching Hour— Michael Polis (WildBrain Studios, YoGabbaGabba), Jermaine Turner (director, Disney/ABC Cable Networks Group), Jill Sanford (manager, original series, Disney Television Animation), Sam Humphries (MySpace Comics), Paula Gould (PEG PR), Jeremy Love (writer/producer, Gettosake Studios), and moderator Dan Evans (freelance development exec) will take an idea from conception through production for various media. This process will include creating a pitch document, obtaining agents, and getting a pitch meeting. The panelists will explain, through hypothetical example and humorous stories, the process that new creators should adapt to make their way into the Hollywood creative battleground. Knowing that each project is unique, there will be a Q&A to allow the audience to really hone in on the solutions to obstacles they may encounter. Also on hand will be IP lawyer Brendan McFeely to give creators insight on protecting their ideas as they navigate Hollywood! Room 5AB
Categories:  Animation | Anime & Manga | Comics Law School | Movies | Television | Writers & Writing

10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 202: Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?— Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the acclaimed The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, deals with more advanced issues facing authors, artists, and designers, particularly once they've "broken through" and have started publishing and selling (and maybe merchandising too). Creators aren't the only ones facing potential problems and issues—publishers, distributors, retailers, and even the ultimate consumers can find themselves facing legal issues they never expected. Infringements, knockoffs, lawsuits, cybersquatters, blogs, and parodies are just a few of the potential problems that may arise once creative works come to market. This session explores how copyright and trademark rights are enforced, how one's legal muscles may be flexed, and what to do when finding yourself in a legal mine field. Plus discussion about significant recent legislation and legal decisions that are likely to affect the field of popular culture and how these issues play an important role in your creative and business plans. Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for one credit of California MCLE.] Room 30CDE
Categories:  Art and Illustration | Comic Books | Comics Law School | Seminars & Workshops | Writers & Writing

10:00-11:30 Comic Book Law School 303: Let’s Make Lots of Money!— Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the sold-out The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, covers some of the more complicated issues facing creators who are looking to actually market their creations and ideas, including transfers and licensing of rights, marketing, merchandising, and distribution agreements, and what to do when Hollywood comes knocking. This interactive seminar gives attendees the opportunity to participate in the discussions as Lovitz covers various means for profiting from your creations and discuss important elements that form the foundation of every contract (and time permitting, maybe participate in a mock contract negotiation). With in-depth discussions about the options and opportunities for profit, as well as the problems and pitfalls that go hand in hand with each decision, you can't afford to miss this seminar. Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for one credit of California MCLE.]. Room 30CDE
Categories:  Animation | Anime & Manga | Art and Illustration | Cartooning and Comic Strips | Comic Books | Comics Law School | Gaming | Seminars & Workshops | Writers & Writing

1:30-2:30 Comic Book Law School Afterschool Special: Gone But Not Forgotten!— Welcome to a very special episode of Comic Book Law School, as panelists explore the world of public domain, orphan works, and the loss of rights under U.S. intellectual property laws. In recent years, publishers have uncovered the comic book equivalent to the elephants’ graveyard—characters long thought expired suddenly rising from ashes, spruced up and offered to the modern world. Trademarks abandoned or expired are now claimed by newcomers. The right of revocation places a cloud over previously clear ownership of intellectual property rights. Through the Orphan Works bill Congress has made a renewed attempt to provide guidance on works whose creators can’t be identified: the ever-present, and often misunderstood, fair use doctrine. A panel of attorneys—David Branfman, Alexander Harwin, and David Lizerbram—join moderator Michael Lovitz to shed light on these cutting edge issues facing companies and creators and discuss the impact on the creative community of recent decisions and pending legislation in these areas. Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for one credit of California MCLE.] Room 4
Categories:  Comic Books | Comics Law School | Writers & Writing

7:00-9:00 CBLDF Benefit Auction— This is the big one! The CBLDF holds its biggest auction of the year at Comic-Con, and this year brings some amazing one-of-a-kind items to raise money for free speech. Primo items include original art by Jack Kirby, Dave Gibbons, Walter Simonson, Jeff Campbell, Jeff Smith, and more! All this plus rare comics, signed graphic novels, and scripts. You will need a bidder number for this auction, which can be obtained, along with a full auction list, at the CBLDF booth or at the start of the event. Room 2
Categories:  Art and Illustration | Comic Books | Comics Law School | Nighttime Programming

10:30-12:00 CBLDF Live Art Jam— Did you ever want to look over a legendary artist's shoulder while he or she was making a great piece of art, and then add it to your collection? Well, here's your chance to do just that and support a great cause! See Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Terry Moore (Echo), and other special guests draw live art projected on the big screen at the first ever CBLDF Live Art Jam at Comic-Con! Watch comics legends make stunning drawings of your favorite comics characters that you can bid on to support the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! Don't miss this unforgettable event and your chance to walk away with some stunning art! Note: you will need a bidder number to bid on art in this event, which you can pick up at the CBLDF booth or at the start of the event. Room 5AB
Categories:  Art and Illustration | Cartooning and Comic Strips | Comic Books | Comics Law School