CLE

CBA Media & Entertainment Committee Meeting:

Topic:  How to Best Protect Video Game Design

Date:  Friday, November 21st

Time:  12:15 p.m.

Location:  Holland & Knight, LLP, 131 S. Dearborn Street, 30th Floor

Lunch:  Please bring a bagged lunch and note that Corner Bakery is located directly across from Holland & Knight.

MCLE:  1 hour, pending approval

Featured Speakers:

Joe Linhoff:
Joe has been developing published video games for over 20 years in California, Minnesota, Colorado, and Illinois. His games include: WarGods at Midway, Big Buck Hunter at Play Mechanix, Invasion, Action Hero at Play Mechanix, Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back at FTL Games, Indigo Swing at Play Mechanix, Stickers, Certificate Maker at Springboard Software, and other commercial and non-commercial games.

He specializes in writing the most fundamental code of game engines and is driven to develop an understanding, at all levels, of what makes games fun.  Joe received his B.A. in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego and his J.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder.  Joe is currently a visiting assistant professor at DePaul University in Chicago. 

Michael Monahan:
Michael Monahan is an associate at Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard, and Geraldson LLP, where he specializes his practice in the area of trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. He helps clients establish, develop and protect their brand assets and has advised on registration, policing, enforcement through litigation and ADR, and the commercial development of these assets through licensing, franchising and other transactions.Michael is particularly interested in software and information services, from video games to business software applications. He counsels software purchasers and users, developers, publishers and value-added-resellers.  In addition, Michael has represented numerous media clients and other content creators and providers to navigate a broad array of legal issues, including First Amendment matters, defamation and right of publicity issues, and defending against "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation"--known as SLAPP--actions.

Michael is experienced in the arena of protecting the intellectual property embodied in game design and has presented regarding the pros and cons of game design end user license agreements.  Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and his J.D. from Louisiana State University.

Simeon Peebler:Simeon Peebler is the founding Chair of the Game Development program at Flashpoint Academy, The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, located in downtown Chicago, where he created a new professional training program for those interested in a career in game design and production. Flashpoint Academy is the recent recipient of the 2008 Chicago Innovation Awards.  He is credited on many PC CD-ROMS as a programmer, designer, and composer including titles such as Where's Waldo? Exploring Geography, Eraser: Turnabout, Warheads SE, You Don't Know Jack: The 5th Dementia, and Veggie Tales: Veggie Carnival. Through his own independent game development and publishing company, Brain Block Interactive, Simeon designed, engineered and marketed many downloadable PC games which include Logication, Super Bubbles, Bloink, Arcade Mah Jongg and Ammo Boy. Local game companies who employed or contracted Simeon include Imagination Pilots Entertainment, totalPlay, FASA Interactive, Jellyvision, and itoons. In addition to his PC work, Simeon has designed and programmed web games for Nickelodeon for such properties as Sponge Bob Square Pants, Rug Rats, and Fairly Odd Parents.

LCA will co-host a CLE seminar on legal ethics.  Please contact the Chicago Bar Association to register:  www.chicagobar.org. 

Title:  Ethics & Entertainment Law:  Straight Talk from Top Lawyers and the ARDC

Date:  Thursday, December 4, 2008

Time:  3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Place:  Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth, Chicago, IL

Sponsors:  CBA Media & Entertainment Committee, CBA YLS Creative Arts Committee, and Lawyers for the Creative Arts

MCLE Credit:  3 Hours Ethics Credit, Pending Approval

Description:

Representing entertainment clients often requires unique applications of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.  Please join the Media & Entertainment Committee, YLS Creative Arts Committee, and Lawyers for the Creative Arts to learn how to identify potential breaches of ethics rules and how to navigate this tricky arena.  Topics will include:  1) the engagement letter and proper drafting of confidentiality waivers and fee structures, including fixed, hourly, and percentage fees; 2) conflicts of interest; 3) attorney client privilege; 4) representing minors; and 5) attorneys acting in dual capacities as managers, agents, and/or producers.  We will give particular attention to risks involved in the representation of groups, such as bands, production companies, and other collaborative producers and discuss how to manage your practice effectively without triggering ethical violations.  James Grogan, of the Illinois ARDC, will be part of the panel and offer comments on common dilemmas involved in accepting fees and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Speakers will include:

Peter J. Strand, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight  LLP; CBA Media & Entertainment Law Committee Chair

Jerry Glover, Senior Counsel,  The Entertainment & Intellectual Property Group

James Grogan, Deputy Administrator and Chief Counsel at the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois

Moderated by:   William E. Rattner,  Executive Director, Lawyers for the Creative Arts