ONLINE
Thursday, July 3, 2025
8:55 AM - 4:30 PM
Join perennial Minnesota CLE favorite Jim Jesse for a Minnesota-specific edition of Rock & Roll Law! Featuring the music and music copyright issues of major players in the Minnesota music scene, discussion topics include Bob Dylan, Prince, The Replacements, and more. Of course, no music copyright course would be complete without a discussion of Taylor Swift’s copyright battles and strategies PLUS Jim will throw in an examination of band manager legal ethics using none other than the Grateful Dead as a case study – this program has it all!
ABOUT JIM JESSE
Jim Jesse is an attorney and singer/songwriter who has been a full-time CLE presenter since 2013. Jim has a Bachelor of Science in Business and a minor in Political Science from the University of Kansas and earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He is the former General Counsel for Cool Music Network (THECOOLTV), a music video television network, is a member of BMI, and has run his own record label distributing his music. Jim consults and practices in areas regarding intellectual property, licensing and music law and has drafted and reviewed hundreds of contracts from small barter deals to multi-million dollar contracts. He is also the author of The Music Copyright Law Manual and The Musician’s Guide to Music Copyright Law. The founder of Rock N Roll Law, Jim’s passion is spreading music law through his seminars, which thousands of attorneys across the country have taken.
SCHEDULE
8:30 – 8:55 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:55 – 9:00 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Introduction to Copyright Concepts
Learn the basic legal framework for groups and what should be in a band operating agreement. The role of record labels is discussed, along with the Constitutional basis for copyright law and how long copyrights last.
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
What Is a Copyright? How Do You Establish a Copyright?
Find out the legal definition of copyright, the two copyrights in every song, and how to establish and register your songs. Discover why it is important to legally register your copyrights.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Music Publishing, Production, and Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks”
Discover what music publishers do and what publishing is; the legal importance of music production and works-made-for-hire as it relates to Dylan’s famous album “Blood on the Tracks.”
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
BREAK
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.
The Prince Estate and Associated Legal Issues
Prince left behind a fortune but no will – not great. Throw in his record label battles, and you’ve got a legal nightmare on your hands.
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Reproduction and Cover Songs
Gain an understanding about the rights to reproduce music, mechanical royalties, and cover songs.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Distribution
Distributing music in various forms; the First Sale Doctrine.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH (on your own)
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Derivative Works and Synchronization Licensing
Learn about the right to prepare derivative works and all the facets of music sampling and licensing.
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Public Performance
Learn about live performances, performing rights organizations, and what businesses need to do to protect themselves.
1:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Digital Transmission and Streaming
Understand the two forms of radio and the difference in royalties, the new streaming music model, and the digital revolution in music.
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Public Display and Wrapping Up Revenue Streams
Find out about the right to public display and lyrics; plus, we’ll discuss works made for hire and joint authorship.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
BREAK
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Copyright Infringement and Five Recent Copyright Cases
We’ll talk about the burden of proof and defenses. Then we’ll examine five recent copyright infringement cases featuring some big-name acts – some of which you have likely heard about and a couple that maybe you haven’t.
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Ethical Issues Regarding Organizational Representation: Lessons from the Grateful Dead
1.0 ethics credit applied for
LIVE IN-PERSON
Friday, June 13, 2025
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ONLINE REPLAYS
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Attend online
A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.
$295 MSBA members / $295 paralegals / $345 standard rate
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.
