Jeff Liebenson is a leader in media, technology and entertainment law, with extensive expertise in digital entertainment, international and intellectual property law. He has more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry.  

Jeff is President of the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers.

Education
New York University School of Law, LL.M., Trade Regulation, 1982

New York University School of Law, J.D., 1978

University of California, Berkeley, A.B., 1975

Trinity College

Memberships and Associations
President of the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers

Trustee of the Copyright Society of the USA

American Bar Association, Entertainment ADR Committee

Practice Areas
Entertainment and Media

Digital Entertainment

International

Intellectual Property

Technology

Corporate

 
































Liebenson Law
   
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I have participated in

"IAEL Legal Summit"
Midem, June 4, 2019
Jeff organized the presentation of the IAEL Legal Summit at Midem.

"MidemLab"
Midem, June 4, 2019
Jeff participated in the 2019 music-tech competition at Midem.

"The Mega-Multi-Tasker: How the Modern Entertainment Lawyer Operates"
Canadian Music Week, May 10, 2019
Jeff moderated this discussion of the key role that entertainment lawyers play to meet the needs of our clients in the modern music industry.

"SXSW Mentor Session"
SXSW, March 13, 2019
Jeff served as a mentor at SXSW.

"Business of Independent Music Production"
Berklee College of Music, February 28, 2019
Jeff was interviewed by David Bendeth for Berklee College of Music's graduate course.

"IAEL Legal Summit"
Midem, June 6, 2018
Jeff oversaw the presentation of the IAEL Legal Summit at Midem.

"Midem Top Lawyer Ceremony"
Midem, June 7, 2018
Jeff was selected to present the Top Lawyer award to Dina LaPolt.

"IAEL Legal Summit"
Midem, June 6, 2018
Jeff oversaw the presentation of the IAEL Legal Summit at Midem.

"Finding the Value in the Gap"
Midem, June 6, 2018
Jeff moderated this panel on artist advocacy, the value gap and strategies to address it.

"The Power of Grassroots Artist Advocacy and a Multi-Territorial Approach to Finding the Value in the Gap"
Midem, June 6, 2018
Jeff moderated a panel on artist advocacy and steps to pursue fair compensation for artists in the face of the value gap.

"Finding the Value in the Gap"
Canadian Music Week, May 11, 2018
Jeff moderated this panel discussing strategies to drive income generation in the current digital economy and presenting the IAEL's newly published book. 

"Spotlight on USA"
Canadian Music Week, May 9, 2018
Jeff was a panelist discussing legal issues that Canadian artists face when they come to the USA.

"Startup Launch Pad"
Canadian Music Week, May 9, 2018
Jeff served as a judge in this technology startup pitch competition.

"Tech: Disruption and Evolution in the Entertainment Industries"
Canadian Music Week, April 20, 2017
Jeff moderated this panel about the legal implications of disruptive and evolving technologies which will drive growth for entertainment content.

"CMW Startup Launch Pad"
Canadian Music Week, April 19, 2017
Jeff served as a judge for this music-tech startup competition.

"European Law Essentials"
SXSW, March 18, 2017
Jeff moderated a panel discussion of the key elements of European entertainment law with top European legal experts. 

"SXSW Hackathon"
SXSW, March 14, 2018
Jeff served as a Judge at the SXSW Hackathon.

"The Reality of the Deal: Current Legal Issues in Production, Platforms and International"
NATPE, January 17, 2017
Jeff moderated a panel on the latest legal issues regarding the television industry and reality programming.

"Intellectual Property in the Digital Era"
BAFIM, December 4, 2016
Jeff served as a panelist in Buenos Aires, Argentina discussing US digital law issues.

"International Digital Licensing and Copyright Reform"
NYSBA-EASL Music Business and Law Seminar, November 18, 2016
Jeff moderated this panel on new international digital deal-making issues and copyright reform efforts.

"Copyright Developments in the USA--The Publishers' Perspective"
Midem, June 5, 2016
Jeff moderated a panel on the key US copyright developments affecting the music publishing industry.

"Legal Summit: Monetisation of the Global Music Business - From Creators to Major Industry"
Midem, June 4, 2016
Jeff moderated a presentation of the IAEL's newly published book.

"CMW Startup Lauch Pad"
Canadian Music Week, May 5, 2016
Jeff served as a judge for this music-tech startup competition.

"The Streaming Revolution in the Entertainment Industry"
Canadian Music Week, May 6, 2016
Jeff moderated this panel on the global streaming revolution focusing on licensing trends in Canada and the international markets.

"International Digital Music Licensing"
UC Hastings Digital Media Law Seminar, March 23, 2016
Jeff spoke about the legal issues regarding international digital rights.

"Oh Canada! Cross-Border Legal and Business Realities"
SXSW, March 19, 2016
Jeff moderated this panel focusing on the key music industry legal issues in Canada.

"The Streaming Revolution: Evolution and Revolution in the Music Publishing Industry"
SF MusicTech Summit/IAEL, November 9, 2015
Jeff moderated a panel discussion of the current music publishing issues regarding digital streaming services.

"The Streaming Revolution"
CMJ, October 16, 2015
Jeff moderated a panel regarding the global streaming revolution including the negotiation of licensing issues in both US and international markets.

"The Streaming Revolution in the Entertainment Industry"
Midem, June 6, 2015
Jeff presented a panel discussion of the new IAEL book, of which he is co-editor.

"The International Impact of Copyright Reforms in the USA"
Midem, June 5, 2015
Jeff moderated this panel on the international copyright landscape at the Midem conference in Cannes, France.

"Music Licensing: Current Issues from Mashups to International"
Canadian Music Week, May 7, 2015
Jeff moderated a panel regarding current issues in music licensing.

"International Digital Music Licensing"
UC Hastings Digital Media Law Seminar, March 25, 2015
Jeff spoke about legal issues regarding international digital rights.

"Licensing Made Difficult: Issues Clearing Music Rights"
SXSW, March 20, 2015
Jeff participated in a panel on copyright licensing and mix content.

"The Streaming Revolution in the Entertainment Industry"
IAEL, November 10, 2014
Jeff moderated this IAEL panel on streaming music issues at UC Hastings Law School. [video]

"Cross Border Digital Rights: The Long and Winding Road to Clearing Cross Border Digital Rights Abroad"
CMJ, October 24, 2014
Jeff moderated a panel on licensing international digital rights for the Entertainment Arts & Sports Law Section of The New York State Bar Association.

"Licensing of Music - From BC to AD (Before the Change/After Digital)"
Canadian Music Week, May 10, 2014
Jeff moderated this panel on cutting edge digital music licensing issues.

"International Licensing - Issues & Challenges for Streaming Music Services"
UC Hastings Law School Communication & Entertainment Law Symposium, March 21, 2014
Jeff moderated a panel on royalty structures and subscription models for streaming services.

"International Licensing of Music: From BC to AD (From Before the Change to After Digital)"
Music Biz Entertainment & Technology Law Conference, March 19, 2014
Jeff organized a panel discussion on international music licensing issues.

"It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World - Taking Your Company Global"
ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries at Stanford Law School, March 4, 2014
Jeff participating in this Negotitating Strategies & Cutting Edge Issues panel.

"Digital Rights and Cross Border Issues"
Midem, February 4, 2014
Jeff moderated an expert panel on digital licensing at the Midem conference in Cannes, France. [video]

"Second Screen - Legal Issues and Solutions"
MIPCOM, October 8, 2013
Jeff Liebenson moderated this panel on emerging international second screen television issues.

"International Digital Music Licensing: Pursuing Growth and the Licensing Labyrinth"
SF MusicTech/IAEL, September 30, 2013
Jeff Liebenson hosted this first-ever panel discussion in conjunction with SF MusicTech.

"Beyond Berne and Borders: The Cross-Border Harmonization (or Not) of Digital Music Rights"
Copyright Society of the U.S.A., September 20, 2013
Jeff Liebenson moderated this Copyright Society/IAEL panel on international digital music licensing. [video]

"Smart TV Content: Three Things You Need to Know to Make a Deal"
CES, January 10, 2013
Jeff Liebenson served as panelist discussing licensing content for smart TVs. [video]

"International Music Marketing: Record Licensing and Distribution/Band Touring Abroad"
Texas Entertainment Law Institute, October 25, 2012
Jeff Liebenson served as a panelist discussing international music licensing issues.

"Sifting Through Transnational Licensing Complexities"
CMJ, October 18, 2012
Jeff Liebenson moderated a panel of industry experts on international digital licensing issues.

"International Digital Music Licensing"
SF MusicTech Summit, October 9, 2012
Jeff Liebenson moderated a panel on current licensing issues for digital music services in international markets.

"The Continuing Digital Evolution of the First Sale Doctrine"
NARM Entertainment and Technology Law Conference, September 13, 2012
Jeff moderated a panel on cloud computing, digital lockers, the First Sale Doctrine and the ReDigi litigation.

"Lawyers, Guns & Money: Legal Considerations for Indy Artists" CBGB Festival Music Conference, July 5, 2012
Jeff spoke about indie artist issues in the current industry environment.

"Digital Deal Making Trends in the Television Industry"
MIPTV, April 3, 2012
Jeff moderated a panel regarding current multi-platform television licensing trends.

"Building Artists' Brands Internationally"
SXSW, March 16, 2012
Jeff moderated a panel about exploiting artist brands in the international markets.

"Doing Multi-Platform Business: Meet the Legal Experts"
MIPTV, 2011
Jeff moderated a panel discussion of the latest issues regarding multi-platform television.

"1 Billion Mobile Phones in China, and My Music is Not on Them!"
CMJ, October 18, 2011
Jeff was a panelist on mobile music developments in China.

"Is Europe Driving Global Copyright Reform? A Discussion of the European Commission's Attention to Music Publishing and WIPO's Focus on a Global Copyright Database"
NARM Entertainment and Technology Law Conference, May 12, 2011
Jeff moderated a panel on European developments in music publishing, a global database and copyright reform.

"Bands, Brands and Beyond"
NARIP, November 15, 2010
Jeff was a panelist on branding issues for artists.

"The Future of the Music Business, Really?"
CMJ, October 19, 2010
Jeff served as a panelist regarding the future of the music industry.

"Three Strikes and Collective Licensing: The ISP Debate"
Music Matters, May 27, 2010
Jeff spoke, with John Kennedy, Chairman of the IFPI, on a panel at the Music Matters conference in Hong Kong.

"Copyright Issues in the Music Publishing and Recording Industries"
Fordham University School of Law, March 29, 2010
Jeff spoke about current copyright issues confronting the record and music publishing industries.

"Chasing Technology: The Law and Digital Distribution"
SXSW, March 20, 2010
Jeff moderated a panel regarding the impact of the pace of digital technology on the law.

"New Media Round Table Discussion"
Herrick, Feinstein LLP and Punch Media Group, March 3, 2010
Jeff moderated a round table discussion about marketing, social networks and related legal issues.

"Challenges in Going Mobile"
International Assocation of Entertainment Lawyers, February 24, 2010
We have entered a period of explosive demand for mobile distributed content and mobile functionality. Jeff Liebenson moderated this seminar, in which industry leaders provided their insights on the challenges facing players in the mobile application space and predictions on where mobile is headed.

"Midem+ Expert: Online Licensing"
Midem, January 23, 2010
Jeff served as a digital licensing expert at the Midem conference in Cannes, France.

"Emerging Trends and Evolutions in the Music Industry"
New York University, Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, November 17, 2009
Jeff spoke about future trends in the music industry.

"Is Sheet Music Alive and Well? The Future!"
New York Sheet Music Society, June 13, 2009
Jeff was a panelist on digital issues affecting the future of the sheet music industry.

"Wrapping Your Head Around 360 Deals"
Copyright Society of the USA and the New York State Bar Association, April 7, 2009
Jeff moderated a panel regarding issues in 360 deals.

"Music Copyright: The Publishing and Recording Industries"
Fordham University School of Law, March 30, 2009
Jeff spoke about evolving copyright issues in the music publishing and the recorded music industries.

"User-Generated Content: Emerging Legal Issues"
Columbia Law School, March 5, 2009
Jeff spoke on developing legal issues regarding user-generated content and social networks.

"Digital Exploitation: The Impact of Recent Legal Developments in Music Publishing"
Midem and the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers, January 20, 2009
Jeff spoke at the MIDEM conference regarding recent developments in digital exploitation.

"New Developments in the Music Industry"
New York University, Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, November 13, 2008
Jeff spoke on current developments in the record industry.

"The Legal Issues of Social Media and Social Networking Sites"
New York State Bar Association, Technology and Venture Law Committee, September 17, 2008
Jeff spoke about legal developments regarding social networks.

"How to Avoid Going Around in Circles - 360 Deals"
June 20, 2008
Jeff spoke on a panel regarding the negotiation of 360 deals.

"The New Kings of Media: User-Generated Content, New Business Models & Legal Issues"
The Harvard Club, May 1, 2008
User-generated content is the most discussed but least-understood force affecting the media industries since P2P. This seminar, moderated by Jeff, explored how it is transforming business models, how it can be monetized, and how business and law should react to UGC.

"Music Licensing on the Internet"
Cardozo Law School, April 28, 2008
Jeff spoke at this event, co-hosted by the Copyright Society of the USA and the Music and Recording Committee of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.

"Music Copyright: Publishing, Recordings and Digital Rights"
Fordham University School of Law, March 26, 2008
Jeff spoke about copyright issues relating to the music industry.

"User-Generated Content: Emerging Theories in Intellectual Property"
Columbia Law School, March 13, 2008
Jeff spoke at Columbia Law School on IP issues regarding user-generated content.

"User-Generated Content"
Midem Conference, January 28, 2008
Jeff moderated the 2008 International Association of Entertainment Lawyers seminar at the Midem conference.

"Keeping Up With The Music - Thorny Issues From The 'Wild West' of Digital Music"
Copyright Society of the USA, December 6, 2007
Jeff served as moderator of this panel discussing emerging music publishing issues affecting digital distribution.

"Music Licensing and the Internet"
Southeast Chapter of the Copyright Society of the USA, October 22, 2007
Jeff spoke about developing online music licensing issues.

"Say What? Music Subtitles and International Music"
CMJ Music Marathon, October 17, 2007
Jeff spoke at the CMJ Music Marathon regarding digital lyric translation issues.

"International Aspects of the Record Industry"
New York University, Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, September 20, 2007
Jeff discussed his experiences in the international record industry.

"Music Copyright: Core Issues of the Music Industry"
Fordham University School of Law, March 26, 2007
Jeff spoke on legal issues affecting various aspects of the music industry.

"Emerging Digital Legal Developments"
MidemNet Conference, January 22, 2007
Jeff spoke on new legal issues developing in the digital industries.

"Records Contracts 101"
Copyright Society of the USA, December 4, 2006
Jeff moderated a panel on the negotiation of recording agreements.

"What Did Grokster Say Again? - How Inducement Has Changed Things"
Copyright Society of the USA, November 16, 2006
Jeff moderated a panel regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on "inducement" liability, how it is being interpreted and how it may impact innovation.

"At Your On-Line Service--Keeping it Hot"
Canadian Music Week, March 3, 2006
Jeff moderated a panel regarding emerging digital distribution issues.

"Digital Dealmaking"
MidemNet Conference, January 23, 2006
Jeff spoke on dealmaking issues regarding digital distribution.

"Mobile Media and Entertainment: All the Other Things You Can Do With Your Cell Phone and Where the Money Is"
New York State Bar Association, Technology and Venture Law Committee, May 4, 2005
Jeff spoke on a panel discussing monetization strategies for mobile media.

"Mobile Music Workshop"
Midem Conference, January 24, 2005
Jeff led a workshop on legal issues of mobile distribution.

"Legal Issues for Independent Record Companies"
CMJ Music Marathon, November 1, 2002
Jeff spoke on a panel regarding legal issues confronting independent record labels.

"Remixing the Payment Track: Where is the Fair Share in Digital Distribution?"
Plug.In Music Forum, July 8, 2002
Jeff spoke on royalty payments and revenue sharing arising from digital exploitations.

"What Next?"
Digital Media Wire, Inc, June 26, 2002
Jeff spoke about upcoming legal issues regarding digital distribution.

 



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