Prominent Music Attorney to Present at NAMM Conference

Scarinci Hollenbeck Partner, Intellectual Property & Music Business Attorney Ron Bienstock to participate in four roundtable discussions at 2017 NAMM Show

WHEN:
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 – Sunday January 22, 2017

WHERE:
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, California

 Scarinci Hollenbeck partner Ron Bienstock will be among the participants at four educational sessions at the winter conference of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). The annual NAMM Show, the largest music industry tradeshow in the world. This year’s show, which will be held from January 18 to 22 in Anaheim, California, showcases the biggest ideas and best practices for the retail music industry, covering hot topics, such as marketing, store design, websites, music lessons, customer experience, finance, and more. Bienstock, who is co-chair of the firm’s Entertainment, Media and Sports Group, and chair of its Intellectual Property Group, will facilitate two discussions: Lawsuit Guitars – Facts vs Myth and Music Publishing 101, and will participate in Mediating IP Disputes and How to Not Get Sued in the Music Business

At the Lawsuit Guitars – Facts vs Myth session, Bienstock will discuss the prevailing myths concerning the various lawsuits that have shaped the guitar industry over the past 30 years. “Trademarks and product configurations are definitely a hot topic,” said Bienstock. “Guitar headstocks, body shapes, and generally the ‘shape of things’ in the music industry has changed so much in the past 30 years that it’s essential to stay on top of what’s going on.” Bienstock gained additional prominence in this area after his unprecedented trademark opposition victory against Fender Musical Instruments. In that matter, Bienstock represented 17 guitar manufacturers in a trademark opposition proceeding against Fender, successfully arguing that Fender should not be allowed trademark registrations for three guitar and bass body shapes.

At How to (Not) Get Sued in Music Retailing, Bienstock and other renowned music industry attorneys will enlighten music retailers on how to steer clear of major legal pitfalls in dealing with instrument rental contracts, music teacher agreements, business ownership plans and more. At the roundtable discussion Music Publishing 101, participants will learn the basics of the music publishing industry. Bienstock will lead a discussion on pressing copyright issues, including licensing and royalty agreements, facing the composer/musician today. As Bienstock explained, “Copyright, artists, and music publishing are areas of concentration that have evolved substantially with so many artists putting out their own products across the country and via the internet. So many NAMM members are musicians themselves, along with their customers, and they really craved the right information.”

Mediating IP Disputes will be presented in the form of a mock mediation of a trademark dispute, to guide participants on how mediation may be used to resolve disputes, potentially save time and money, and help maintain good business relationships. For more information about the NAMM Show or to register, go to