19TH ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT LAW INITIATIVE®ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2017 WRITING COMPETITION

WHO: The winners of the 2017 Entertainment Law Initiative^® Writing Competition have been announced.

Winner                                                                                    
Stephanie Beach, Seton Hall University School of Law
Paper Title: “Born To Run: Amending Right Of Publicity Statutes To Address The Use Of Music In Political Campaigning”                                                

Runners-Up
Leslie DeGonia, Washington University School of Law
Paper Title: “This Is My Fight Song, Take Back My Termination Rights Song”

Andrew Smith, Pepperdine University School of Law
Paper Title: “Festival State Of Safety: Amending The IDAPA And Preventing Future Drug-Related Deaths At Electronic Music Festivals”

Trevor Maxim, USC Gould School of Law                           
Paper Title: “Giving Copyright Holders a Fair Shake: How The Music Industry Can Manage DMCA Takedowns Under Lenz“

Mary Catherine Amerine, William & Mary Law School
Paper Title: “Searching For A Sound: A Proposal For Creating Consistent De Minimis Sampling Standards In The Music Industry”

The 19th annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon & Scholarship Presentation will take place during GRAMMY^® Week featuring a keynote address by Marc Geiger, head of music/partner at William Morris Endeavor. Elliot Groffman, a partner at Carroll, Guido & Groffman LLP, will be the recipient of the 2017 ELI Service Award. The honor is awarded to an attorney who has demonstrated a commitment to advancing and supporting the music community through service. Other program participants include Henry Root, ELI Executive Committee Chair; Ken Abdo, ELI Program Chair and top music industry attorney (Lommen Abdo); and Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy^® and GRAMMY Foundation^®. GRAMMY Foundation Vice President Scott Goldman will be the host. Daryl P. Friedman, Chief Industry, Government & Member Relations Officer for The Recording Academy, will also be in attendance.

WHAT: The ELI Writing Competition is open to law students, who are asked to write a3,000-word essay on a compelling legal issue facing the music industry. A cash scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded to the winner of the ELI Writing Competition and $1,500 will be awarded to each of the four runners-up. The winners of the ELI Writing Competition will be awarded at the luncheon. All competition finalists receive airfare, hotel accommodations and a ticket to the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards^® as well as invitations to other GRAMMY Week activities. The 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, and broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network.

The Recording Academy, in concert with some of the nation’s most prominent entertainment attorneys, established the Entertainment Law Initiative to promote discussion and debate about the most compelling legal issues facing the music industry today. The Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon & Scholarship Presentation is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week, a celebration that culminates with the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Established in 1998 to recognize and further the connection between the legal profession and the recording community, the ELI program seeks to address legal issues confronting the music industry. ELI also endeavors to support future careers in entertainment law by seeking out the nation’s top law students and giving them invaluable networking and educational opportunities.

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