Webinar: Lessons from John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath: Copyright Terminations Under Section 203 and 304 of the Copyright Act

In 1976 and 1998 Congress extended the terms of copyright.  Congress intended for authors to receive the full economic benefit of the extended copyright terms by granting authors and their heirs inalienable rights to recapture copyrights.  These recaptured copyrights, vesting free of all prior grants, could then be re-licensed on economic terms favorable to authors.  To protect authors’ families from disinheritances, late-life lovers or squabbles among over-reaching heirs, Congress preempted state inheritance law and created statutory heirs.

Congress’ statutory scheme benefitting authors and their families has been threatened by recent decisions of the Second and Ninth Circuits that have generated a recent cert petition to the Supreme Court in Steinbeck v. Kaffaga over film rights to The Grapes of Wrath.  Many copyright termination disputes are now pending.  Join Ray Dowd in examining this fascinating case and learn why understanding the issues at stake and the mechanics of copyright terminations is important for all attorneys dealing with copyrights.  Whether you are negotiating a license agreement or advising copyright owners and their heirs on estate planning, copyright termination is a hot issue.

Raymond J. Dowd authored a brief in Steinbeck v. Kaffaga on behalf of amicus curiae the Authors Guild, the Dramatists Guild, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and former Register of Copyrights Ralph Oman.

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About the Presenters

Raymond Dowd, Partner, Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller LLP; Author, Copyright Litigation Handbook (Thomson Reuters/WESTLAW 2019-2020)

Raymond J. Dowd has served as lead counsel in high-stakes, high-profile litigations and arbitrations in New York for over two decades. His book Copyright Litigation Handbook (Thomson Reuters/Westlaw) has received critical acclaim. Acting as a fiduciary by serving on non-profit boards has shaped his practical problem-solving approach and perspective.  Business and property disputes form the core of Mr. Dowd’s practice. He works with a lean, experienced team, including trusted experts, to contain, avoid, minimize, and settle disputes. Matters often involve foreign law and conflict-of-laws principles, service or discovery in foreign jurisdictions. Mr. Dowd regularly represents television broadcasters in disputes relating to brand protection and content distribution in the United States, particularly anti-piracy work.  In the mid-1990’s, Mr. Dowd successfully petitioned for the removal of Bernard Lafferty and U.S Trust Company as co-executors of the estate of Doris Duke.  He has handled probate and estate-related disputes ever since, gaining international prominence for his work in recovering Nazi-looted art. Mr. Dowd also assists individuals, art owners, dealers and corporations with trademark and transactional work, including international licensing and distribution. He lectures regularly on art law and copyright.

In 2018 Network of Bar Leaders awarded Mr. Dowd the Hon. Harold Baer, Jr. Award for service to the bench and bar.  In 2019, Fordham Law School awarded Mr. Dowd the Roger Goebel Award for outstanding international service to the law school.

Mr. Dowd serves on the Board of Directors of the Fordham Law Alumni Association and chaired the law school’s International Law Affinity Group (2016-2019).  He serves on the Board of the National Arts Club and is a member of the Village of Westhampton Beach Conservation Advisory Council.  Past leadership positions include President of Network of Bar Leaders (2013-2014); General Counsel of the Federal Bar Association (2010-2011); FBA Vice President for the Second Circuit (2006-2012); FBA Board of Directors (2011-2016); The Federal Lawyer Magazine Editorial Board; FBA Government Relations Committee; President of Southern District of New York Chapter of the FBA (2006-2008); New York County Lawyers’ Association Board of Directors (2003-2006).

Mr. Dowd is admitted to practice law in New York State, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First, Second, Fifth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Court of International Trade.

He is fluent in French and Italian.

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CLE

1 CLE Credit (60min state) / 1.2 CLE Credit (50min state)

Credit for these complimentary webinars will be processed/reported within 4-6 weeks of the webinar event date and available for credit in states that allow credit for live webinar presentations. Your bar number must be accurate in our database to receive credit.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Caitlin Rider, Conference Manager.