ASU Law and LAIPLA partner to produce 10th annual TechTainment conference

The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA) are excited to announce their partnership to produce the highly anticipated TechTainment 2024 conference, which is renowned for being at the forefront of exploring the dynamic intersection of technology, entertainment and law. This landmark event, now in its 10th year, will take place on Tuesday, November 12, at the historic ASU California Center in downtown Los Angeles.

“ASU Law is proud to partner with LAIPLA for TechTainment, showcasing our role as innovators and leaders in law and technology. This collaboration emphasizes our commitment to advancing the conversation on the legal and business implications of emerging technologies in the entertainment industry,” said Stacy Leeds, Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents and Foundation Professor of Law at ASU Law.

TechTainment’s mission is to explore the latest technological advancements used in the entertainment industry and delve into their profound legal and business implications. Esteemed speakers and keynotes have comprised the general counsel of the Copyright Office, CEOs, tech gurus, studio vice presidents, award-winning writers and educators – all distinguished leaders in their respective fields. The foresight displayed in past panels has been consistently prescient, empowering attendees with valuable knowledge to deftly guide their clients through the ever-evolving technological landscape.

David Franklyn, professor of practice and executive director of the McCarthy Institute at ASU Law, has spearheaded this partnership to position the college at the cutting edge of intellectual property and technology law.

“The McCarthy Institute is at the forefront of IP innovation, driving ASU Law's efforts to make TechTainment,” Franklyn said. “This event underscores our dedication to leading the exploration of technology's impact on entertainment and law.”

This year’s conference promises to continue the tradition by delving into the latest technological advancements and their profound legal and business implications. Attendees can look forward to panels covering cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, esports, the metaverse, augmented and virtual reality, video gaming, podcasting, content moderation and deepfakes.

LAIPLA, a premier IP law association since 1934, connects over 1,000 members, including attorneys, law firms, solo practitioners and law students, specializing in patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and tech law.

“We chose to partner with ASU Law for TechTainment because of their outstanding reputation for innovation and leadership in the field of intellectual property law. ASU Law's commitment to exploring the intersections of technology, entertainment and law aligns perfectly with LAIPLA's mission to educate and connect the IP legal community,” said LAIPLA President Xinlin Morrow.

“For the past 10 years, we have grown our conference and have always been ahead of new technologies. Our partnership with ASU allows us to continue to grow. I say wholeheartedly that this year will be our best TechTainment ever,” said Mark Treitel, founder of TechTainment and attorney at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP.

This partnership underscores ASU Law's ongoing commitment to providing students with exceptional opportunities in the ever-evolving field of intellectual property law. ASU Law is expanding its services to a physical location in downtown Los Angeles. ASU Law's focus on growing its IP program reaffirms its dedication to preparing future legal professionals to navigate complex legal landscapes and drive innovation forward.

Former ASU Law Dean Douglas Sylvester assumed the role of executive director of intellectual property and California strategy at ASU Law, bringing his wealth of experience and strategic vision to steer the program to new heights. The college's focus on growing its IP program reaffirms its dedication to preparing future legal professionals to navigate complex legal landscapes and drive innovation forward.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Arizona State University remains No. 1 in innovation among American universities. The university has recently risen two spots to No. 9 among the world’s top universities for U.S. utility patents issued in 2023, underscoring the university's unwavering commitment to fueling America’s innovation ecosystem and translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions.

For more information about TechTainment, visit laipla.net/techtainment.

Written by Kourtney Kelley