Planners are often confronted with intellectual property issues yet they might not recognize them as such. For example, planners often wonder whether their organization can reproduce speakers' materials (copyright) or use a company's logo in the promotional material for their event (trademark) or play music at their event without paying a fee (copyright). Join hospitality attorney Barbara Dunn as she identifies "hot button" trademark, copyright and patent issues and answers frequently asked questions in the areas of trademark, copyright and patent basics, music licensing, use of speaker materials, speaker/ author agreements, and selection and registration of new trademarks. Come prepared to share your questions and issues in this interactive session.
Session Learner Outcomes:
- Differentiate between trademarks, copyrights and patents and develop strategies to protect and enforce trademarks and copyrights.
- Identify the legal obligations concerning music licensing and license agreements.
- Identify potential risks associated with trademark and copyright use and ways to avoid or manage them.
Barbara F. Dunn,ESQ. is an attorney and partner with Howe & Hutton, a law firm which specializes in the representation of individuals, firms and organizations in the travel, tourism, hospitality, incentive and meetings industries, as well as not-for-profit organizations, including trade associations, professional societies and other related organizations. The firm has offices in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and St. Louis and serves as general counsel to Meeting Professionals International among hundreds of others. Barbara received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Juris Doctorate degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago where she was a member of the Editorial Board of the John Marshall Law Review. Barbara works with many individuals and organizations in the meetings industry including corporate and independent planners, as well as suppliers to the industry. She has written numerous articles on a wide range of legal issues and is a frequent speaker for MPI and its chapters, the MPI Foundation’s Platinum Series programs, SGMP, PCMA, HSMAI, ASAE and its affiliated societies, and other groups in the meetings, travel and hospitality industries. She was the 2005-2006 Chair of the ASAE Legal Section Council – the first woman to serve in such a leadership role. Barbara is also a member of the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys and currently serves on the group’s Board of Directors.
