Legal Expertise

Representation of clients in copyright ownership and enforcement matters, and in other copyright and contractual matters, with special expertise in statutory license matters involving cable, satellite and other delivery systems. Advise and counsel clients regarding content creation and distribution of television series, movies, documentaries, reality shows and other programming transmitted by broadcast television, cable, satellite, and other platforms. Represents clients before the Copyright Office, the Copyright Royalty Judges, the Federal Communications Commission, and state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Representative Matters

• Obtained summary judgment based on an implied license defense for a healthcare industry client in a copyright infringement action involving software code (WH Administrators v. Corepex Technologies, Inc., U.S. District for Eastern District for Virginia, September 2017)
• Represents collectively more than 100 producers and distributors of copyrighted television content in disputes regarding their share of hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties. Served as lead counsel in several multi-million dollar royalty disputes, including:
• In re Distribution of Section 111 Cable Royalty Funds For 2004-2009, Docket No. 2012-6 CRB CD 2004-2009 (Phase I) and In re Distribution of Section 119 Satellite Royalty Funds For 1999-2009, Docket No. 2012-7 CRB SD 1999-2009 (Phase I). (his creative advocacy resulted in a historic settlement of a $1.5 billion dispute among eight parties);
• In re Distribution of Section 111 Cable Royalty Funds For 2000-03 (Phase I), Docket No. 2008-2 CRB CD 2000-2003;
• In re Distribution of Section 111 Cable Royalty Funds For 1998-99 (Phase I), Docket No. 2001-8 CARP CD 98-99
• Served as lead counsel on appellate cases, including:
• Independent Producers Group v. Librarian of Congress, No. 13-1274, et al., 2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 11166 (D.C. Cir. 2015);
• Independent Producers Group v. Librarian of Congress & Register of Copyrights, 759 F.3d 100 (D.C. Cir. 2014);
• Worldwide Subsidy Group v. Motion Picture Assn. of America, Inc., No. B236717, 2012 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 5383 (Cal. Ct. App. July 20, 2014);
• Hargrave v. TV One LLC, No. 2371 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. May 6, 2014) (cert. denied, 101 A.3d 1063 (Md. App. Ct. 2014);
• Program Suppliers v. Librarian of Congress, 409 F.3d 395 (D.C. Cir. 2005)
• Co-counsel on the team that obtained summary judgment, in a copyright infringement action, in favor of the director and producers of one of the most successful major motion pictures of all time.
• Obtained summary dismissal of a copyright infringement action regarding a television program on behalf of a major cable network.
• Successfully defended a major cable network in an alleged defamation action.
• Represents clients in administrative litigation, including royalty distribution proceedings, rate-setting proceedings, notices of inquiry proceedings, rulemaking proceedings and settlement negotiations.
• Counsels copyright owners regarding pending legislation and on protecting owners’ broadcast and distribution rights against possible dilution resulting from new content delivery technologies.
• Advises clients on licensing issues raised by ownership and/or transfer of copyrights and other copyright matters raised by the internet.
• Advises clients on general business matters, including negotiating various business agreements, including leases, technology licensing agreements, database management agreements, consulting agreements and service agreements.

Honors & Awards

• Top Rated Intellectual Property Attorney in Washington, DC, Super Lawyers (2016-2021)

Professional, Business and civic Affiliations

• Member, Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
• Member, American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section
• Co-Chair, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP 
• Member, Governing Board, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
• Former Chair, Board of Trustees, The Horizon Foundation of Howard County
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (license inactive)

Other Career Experience

• Partner, Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP (2002-2010)

Headlines

Publications

Events & Speaking Engagements