Major Developments in Music Law: New Licensing Models, Digital-First Distribution, and Dealmaking from Legal and Commercial Perspectives

Stephen Nebgen
Wallace Collins
Alexander Loveyko
David A. Munkittrick
Stephen Nebgen | Stephen Wade Nebgen, PLLC
Wallace Collins | Wallace E.J. Collins III
Alexander Loveyko | Chase Lawyers
David A. Munkittrick | Proskauer Rose LLP
Live Video-Broadcast: June 5, 2025

4 hour CLE

Tuition: $295.00
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Program Summary

Session I - Copyright Law Update – Stephen Nebgen

This session will provide a comprehensive analysis of copyright law as it applies to the music industry, beginning with foundational principles such as ownership, rights, and infringement. Attendees will explore landmark cases that have shaped the legal landscape, offering insight into how courts interpret and enforce copyright in musical works.

The session will also examine recent developments related to Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), including evolving practices in licensing and royalty collection. Finally, we’ll delve into the complex intersection of copyright and artificial intelligence, discussing how emerging technologies are challenging traditional notions of authorship and rights management.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Copyright basics
  • Important cases
  • Developments regarding the PROS’s
  • AI

Session II – Evolving Music Licensing Frameworks – Wallace Collins

The landscape of music licensing is shifting as new technologies and digital platforms redefine how music is distributed, monetized, and protected. This program will explore emerging licensing models, including advancements in blockchain technology, smart contracts, and direct artist-to-consumer monetization. Participants will gain insights into the evolving role of performing rights organizations, compulsory licensing changes, and the impact of digital-first distribution on traditional licensing.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • The changing landscape of music licensing
  • The role of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)in the digital age
  • Blockchain and smart contracts for rights management
  • Direct licensing vs. collective licensing: Key considerations
  • Addressing licensing challenges in the creator economy

Session III - Music Industry: Deal Structuring, Negotiation and Pitfalls – Alexander Loveyko

This course provides a practical, in-depth exploration of music industry dealmaking through the dual lens of legal theory and commercial reality. Designed for attorneys advising talent, labels, or investors - as well as industry professionals seeking legal fluency - the session covers how music deals are structured, negotiated, and sometimes mishandled.

Drawing from over a decade of experience in catalog sales, rights clearance, distribution arrangements, and international IP protection, Alexander Loveyko demystifies key contract terms, highlights common legal pitfalls, and breaks down current deal trends across recording, publishing, and digital monetization. Attendees will leave with a sharpened understanding of music industry transactions and how to best protect clients in a rapidly evolving business.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Types of deals in the music industry
  • Key terms and deal points
  • Structuring for success
  • Negotiation strategies
  • Common pitfalls and legal traps
  • Modern trends and challenges
  • Case studies and practical insights

Session IV – Copyright & Licensing: Untangling the Thicket – David A. Munkittrick

Through real-world scenarios and examples, this session will explore the fundamentals of copyright in the music industry, from licensing requirements to commonly-held copyright myths regarding registration, de minimis use, public domain, and fair use.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Copyright protections for music
  • Music licensing
  • Fair use
  • The role of experts in music copyright cases

Date / Time: June 5, 2025

  • 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
  • 11:00 am – 3:30 pm Central
  • 10:00 am – 2:30 pm Mountain
  • 9:00 am – 1:30 pm Pacific

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Stephen Wade Nebgen_myLawCLEStephen Wade Nebgen | Law Offices of Stephen Wade Nebgen, PLLC

Mr. Nebgen has over forty (40) years in the entertainment industry, first as a producer and then becoming an attorney with a specialty in entertainment law. His clients include film, television, and theatre companies, musicians, actors, and artists. He counsels clients regarding business formation, intellectual property matters in copyright and trademarks, contract negotiations and other corporate matters.

As a producer, among other credits, Mr. Nebgen was the General Manager at The Lambs Theatre located at 44th Street and Broadway, in New York City. Mr. Nebgen also produced such prominent Off-Broadway plays as the 20th Anniversary Revival of “Fortune and Men’s Eyes” and “Bert See’s The Light”, which featured Jack Black in his New York theatre debut. Mr. Nebgen also worked the General Management staff of such Broadway productions as “Lettice & Lovage” starring Tony Award Winner Dame Maggie Smith and Andrew Lloyd Webber productions of “Cats” and “Aspects of Love.”

Mr. Nebgen currently teaches at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences and has taught at a number of institutions including Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. He has lectured extensively on Entertainment Law matters at numerous seminars, symposiums and continuing legal education (CLE) presentations.

Mr. Nebgen received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University in Religious Studies, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to earn his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law and co-founded The Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law (TRESL).

 

speaker_Wallace CollinsWallace Collins | Law Offices of Wallace E.J. Collins III

Wallace E.J. Collins III, Esq. is an entertainment attorney who has handled both transactional and litigation matters during his 35+ years of practicing law.

His extensive transactional work focuses primarily on negotiating music, film, television and internet business deals as well as intellectual property issues arising with emerging technology. Wallace handles many digital media matters including copyright and licensing issues related to A.I., new “apps”, streaming and digital clearance matters as well as 100s of Federal trademark matters from application to prosecution. Wallace has also done extensive work on copyright terminations and reversions under U.S. Copyright law.

His litigation matters have encompassed representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in copyright and trademark infringement cases as well as general entertainment contract disputes. Most recently, his client Eddy Grant prevailed in a copyright infringement lawsuit against Donald Trump and his 2020 campaign for unauthorized use of “Electric Avenue” in a campaign advertisement. Previously, he had won the largest monetary judgement ever awarded for unauthorized use of a sample in the “Whoomp! There It Is” record.

Wallace has authored numerous articles for legal and trade publications and is a regular contributor to Billboard, Entertainment Law and Finance and The New York Law Journal and is a frequent speaker on panels, at lectures and at seminars throughout the country and internationally on current entertainment business issues as they relate the new technology and the internet. Wallace has appeared on many national television and radio broadcasts. He was a teenage recording artist for Epic Records before attending Fordham Law School.

 

Alex Loveyko_myLawCLEAlexander Loveyko | Chase Lawyers

Alexander Loveyko, Esq. is a New York-licensed attorney and Partner at ChaseLawyers®, based in the firm’s Miami office. With over a decade of international experience in intellectual property, entertainment, licensing, and Internet law, Alex represents a diverse roster of clients ranging from Grammy-nominated artists and fashion brands to top Twitch streamers, Web3 startups, and international athletes.

Alex’s work spans both the creative and commercial sides of the entertainment industry. He regularly handles music catalog sales, talent agreements, licensing, IP protection, immigration filings (including O1 and EB1), and cross-border brand deals. His clients include independent artists, production companies scaling globally, and blockchain projects navigating the complex regulatory environment of NFTs, tokens, and digital assets.

He has played a pivotal role in growing the firm’s presence in the creator economy and Web3 space – advising influencers, streamers, and content creators on structuring their businesses, monetizing their IP, and expanding into the U.S. market. Having personally gone through the immigration process, Alex brings a unique blend of legal expertise and genuine empathy when representing international clients seeking to establish their careers in the United States.

Alex is also an active figure in the Miami tech and startup ecosystem. He hosts Office Hours, mentors emerging founders, and has served as a co-director for the Miami Chapter of Founder Institute. He frequently speaks at conferences, including NFT.NYC, WIPO, TWC Orlando, and the Music and Tech Conference on topics like royalties, digital rights, AI, and Web3 compliance.

Whether leading high-stakes negotiations or advising early-stage creators, Alex is known for his sharp legal strategy, practical business sense, and genuine investment in his clients’ success.

 

David A. Munkittrick_ Proskauer Rose_myLawCLEDavid A. Munkittrick | Proskauer Rose LLP

David Munkittrick is a litigator and trial attorney. His practice focuses on complex and large-scale antitrust, copyright and entertainment matters in all forms of dispute resolution and litigation, from complaint through appeal.

David has been involved in some of the most significant antitrust matters over the past few years, obtaining favorable results for Fortune 500 companies and other clients in bench and jury trials involving price discrimination and group boycott claims. His practice includes the full range of antitrust matters and disputes: from class actions to competitor suits and merger review. David advises antitrust clients in a range of industries, including entertainment, automotive, pharmaceutical, healthcare, agriculture, hospitality, financial services, and sports.

David also advises music, publishing, medical device, sports, and technology clients in navigating complex copyright issues and compliance. He has represented some of the most recognized names in entertainment, including Sony Music Entertainment, Lady Gaga, U2, Madonna, Daft Punk, RCA Records, BMG Music Publishing, Live Nation, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Universal Music Group and Warner/Chappell.

David maintains an active pro bono practice, supporting clients in the arts and in immigration proceedings. He has been repeatedly recognized as Empire State Counsel by the New York State Bar Association for his pro bono service, and is a recipient of Proskauer’s Golden Gavel Award for excellence in pro bono work.

When not practicing law, David spends time practicing piano. He recently made his Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall with a piano trio and accompanying a Schubert lieder.

Agenda

Session I – Copyright Law Update | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

  • Copyright basics
  • Important cases
  • Developments regarding the PROS’s
  • AI

Break | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

Session II – Evolving Music Licensing Frameworks | 1:10pm – 2:10pm

  • The changing landscape of music licensing
  • The role of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)in the digital age
  • Blockchain and smart contracts for rights management
  • Direct licensing vs. collective licensing: Key considerations
  • Addressing licensing challenges in the creator economy

Break | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

Session III – Music Industry: Deal Structuring, Negotiation and Pitfalls | 2:20pm – 3:20pm

  • Types of deals in the music industry
  • Key terms and deal points
  • Structuring for success
  • Negotiation strategies
  • Common pitfalls and legal traps
  • Modern trends and challenges
  • Case studies and practical insights

Break | 3:20pm – 3:30pm

Session IV – Copyright & Licensing: Untangling the Thicket | 3:30pm – 4:30pm

  • Copyright protections for music
  • Music licensing
  • Fair use
  • The role of experts in music copyright cases

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
4 CLE Hour(s)

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
5 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
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Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
4.75 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Illinois

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Indiana

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
4 Substantive

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
4 CLE Hour(s)

Maryland

No MCLE Required
4 CLE Hour(s)

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
4 CLE Hour(s)

Minnesota

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
4.75 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
240 General minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
4.75 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Nevada

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
4.75 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
5 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
5 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
4 CLE Hour(s)

Tennessee

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
4 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
4 General

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
4 Law & Legal Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washington via attorney submission.
Wisconsin

Pending CLE Approval
4.75 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
4.75 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
4 General

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