Legal experts in the fields of Sports and Entertainment law, government officials and industry leaders will gather in Washington, D.C., at the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries Annual Meeting Oct. 8-10.
A wide range of industry topics, from the legal questions about online fantasy sports sites, to the "Sony Hack" and cybersecurity, to responding to the next generation of TV viewers through Over-the-Top Television to negotiating music licenses and the changing nature of artists' income will be discussed and analyzed.
Gary Shapiro, president and CEO for the Consumer Electronics Association, the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer electronics companies, will deliver the luncheon keynote speech at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9. Shapiro led the industry in its successful transition to HDTV, and his association, which does not seek any government funding for industry, focuses on innovation as a national policy to spur the economy, create jobs and cut the deficit.
Program highlights include:
"The Big Hack" - Panelists, including Jessica L. Rich, the director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, will explore the issues from data breaches of personal information like the "Sony Hack." Unauthorized data breaches have heightened the need for increased security and panelists look at how to minimize the risks.
"Staying Ahead of the Curveball: The Legal Landscape of Daily Fantasy Sports" Online Fantasy Sports has become a multibillion dollar industry and even professional sports leagues, which have always opposed gambling on sporting events, have joined forces with sites. This has gotten the attention of state legislatures, which are looking to define the legality of the practice in relation to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. Panelists, including lawyers from Draft Kings and FanDuel, will discuss how the legal landscape may play out.
"Bits and Pieces: The Changing Nature of Artist Income" The current marketplace does not allow musicians to depend on the sale of recorded music to support themselves. Panelists will examine the various income streams generated by today's music-makers and the steps they must take to survive as the business evolves.
"Over-the-Top Television and Unbundling: Maintaining Viewership or Reaching Out to the Next Generation?" The proliferation of television networks offering their programming on a stand-alone, untethered basis has grown and will continue to grow. Panelists discuss the impact this has on a network's viewer base as well as their agreements with affiliates.
"Digital Media Net Neutrality: A 2015 Update and Beyond" - In April 2015, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that broadband providers be classified as telecommunications services. Panelists examine the impact this rule will have on digital content hubs, broadband providers and consumers.
"Inside Sports: The Business of Being Team Counsel" - Counsels from the Washington Redskins, Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Lightning discuss the role of general counsel for a team in regards to risks, contracts, inquiries from internal clients and unforeseen incidents and crises.
Published: Tue, Oct 06, 2015
