Crowdfunding is an internet based method of raising funds for a variety of endeavors including: artistic projects, new product production costs, charitable projects, and start-up costs of new businesses.  You may know such portals in the U.S. and Europe as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Seedrs (UK).  Each project is posted on a funding portal with a video solicitation.  Potentials backers of projects are offered different rewards in exchange for backing at different monetary levels.  Rewards may be physical objects, services and, in Europe, equity and debt.   Funding portals in the U.S. will be able to offer equity and debt once the SEC implements rules mandated by the recently passed JOBS Act.

While exciting, crowdfunding backers, creators, and the portals themselves face very real IP legal hazards.  These hazards include patent infringement, trademark dilution, theft of trade secrets, and copyright DMCA violations.  That crowdfunding participants are often very naive and do not have the resources to be adequately represented by counsel before their projects become successful amplifies the IP hazards.  Once projects become successful, they become the immediate targets for IP litigation.

This webinar will present an overview of crowdfunding in both the U.S. and Europe.  It will show how crowdfunding creates IP legal hazards.  The panel will present real life examples, crowdfunding experience from Europe, and provide guidance on how counsel can help mitigate the risks their clients face in light of often limited resources.

Mark Nowotarski, President, Markets, Patents & Alliances LLC, Darien, CT

Gwilym Roberts, Partner, Kilburn & Strode LLP, London, England

Chrissie Scelsi (Moderator), Entertainment and New Media Law, Port Charlotte, FL

States typically decide whether a program qualifies for MCLE credit in their jurisdiction 4-8 weeks after the program application is submitted. For many live events, credit approval is not received prior to the program.

ABA live webinars and teleconferences ordinarily receive CLE credit in AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, GU, HI, IA, ID, IL, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.

The ABA does not seek direct accreditation of live webinars and teleconferences in IN, KS, NE, NJ, OH, and PA.

The ABA will seek credit for this program in the states indicated on this page.   The ABA will seek 1.5 hours of general CLE credit in 60-minute-hour states and 1.8 hours of credit in 50-minute-hour states.  Credit hours granted are subject to approval from each state.  Click here to view a list of 60- and 50-minute-hour states.

Special rules apply to New York-licensed attorneys as follows:

New York: This non-transitional CLE program is approved for experienced NY attorneys in accordance with the requirements of the New York State CLE Board for 1.5 New York CLE credits. Newly admitted attorneys may not earn New York credit for this non-transitional CLE program.

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