Major Developments in Music Law: New Licensing Models, Digital-First Distribution, and Dealmaking from Legal and Commercial Perspectives

Stephen Wade Nebgen | Law Offices of Stephen Wade Nebgen, PLLC

Mr. Nebgen has over forty (40) years in the entertainment industry, first as a producer and then becoming an attorney with a specialty in entertainment law. His clients include film, television, and theatre companies, musicians, actors, and artists. He counsels clients regarding business formation, intellectual property matters in copyright and trademarks, contract negotiations and other corporate matters.

As a producer, among other credits, Mr. Nebgen was the General Manager at The Lambs Theatre located at 44th Street and Broadway, in New York City. Mr. Nebgen also produced such prominent Off-Broadway plays as the 20th Anniversary Revival of “Fortune and Men’s Eyes” and “Bert See’s The Light”, which featured Jack Black in his New York theatre debut. Mr. Nebgen also worked the General Management staff of such Broadway productions as “Lettice & Lovage” starring Tony Award Winner Dame Maggie Smith and Andrew Lloyd Webber productions of “Cats” and “Aspects of Love.”

Mr. Nebgen currently teaches at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences and has taught at a number of institutions including Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. He has lectured extensively on Entertainment Law matters at numerous seminars, symposiums and continuing legal education (CLE) presentations.

Mr. Nebgen received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University in Religious Studies, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to earn his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law and co-founded The Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law (TRESL).

Wallace Collins | Law Offices of Wallace E.J. Collins III

Wallace E.J. Collins III, Esq. is an entertainment attorney who has handled both transactional and litigation matters during his 35+ years of practicing law.

His extensive transactional work focuses primarily on negotiating music, film, television and internet business deals as well as intellectual property issues arising with emerging technology. Wallace handles many digital media matters including copyright and licensing issues related to A.I., new “apps”, streaming and digital clearance matters as well as 100s of Federal trademark matters from application to prosecution. Wallace has also done extensive work on copyright terminations and reversions under U.S. Copyright law.

His litigation matters have encompassed representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in copyright and trademark infringement cases as well as general entertainment contract disputes. Most recently, his client Eddy Grant prevailed in a copyright infringement lawsuit against Donald Trump and his 2020 campaign for unauthorized use of “Electric Avenue” in a campaign advertisement. Previously, he had won the largest monetary judgement ever awarded for unauthorized use of a sample in the “Whoomp! There It Is” record.

Wallace has authored numerous articles for legal and trade publications and is a regular contributor to Billboard, Entertainment Law and Finance and The New York Law Journal and is a frequent speaker on panels, at lectures and at seminars throughout the country and internationally on current entertainment business issues as they relate the new technology and the internet. Wallace has appeared on many national television and radio broadcasts. He was a teenage recording artist for Epic Records before attending Fordham Law School.

Alexander Loveyko | Chase Lawyers

Alexander Loveyko, Esq. is a New York-licensed attorney and Partner at ChaseLawyers®, based in the firm’s Miami office. With over a decade of international experience in intellectual property, entertainment, licensing, and Internet law, Alex represents a diverse roster of clients ranging from Grammy-nominated artists and fashion brands to top Twitch streamers, Web3 startups, and international athletes.

Alex’s work spans both the creative and commercial sides of the entertainment industry. He regularly handles music catalog sales, talent agreements, licensing, IP protection, immigration filings (including O1 and EB1), and cross-border brand deals. His clients include independent artists, production companies scaling globally, and blockchain projects navigating the complex regulatory environment of NFTs, tokens, and digital assets.

He has played a pivotal role in growing the firm’s presence in the creator economy and Web3 space – advising influencers, streamers, and content creators on structuring their businesses, monetizing their IP, and expanding into the U.S. market. Having personally gone through the immigration process, Alex brings a unique blend of legal expertise and genuine empathy when representing international clients seeking to establish their careers in the United States.

Alex is also an active figure in the Miami tech and startup ecosystem. He hosts Office Hours, mentors emerging founders, and has served as a co-director for the Miami Chapter of Founder Institute. He frequently speaks at conferences, including NFT.NYC, WIPO, TWC Orlando, and the Music and Tech Conference on topics like royalties, digital rights, AI, and Web3 compliance.

Whether leading high-stakes negotiations or advising early-stage creators, Alex is known for his sharp legal strategy, practical business sense, and genuine investment in his clients’ success.

David A. Munkittrick | Proskauer Rose LLP

David Munkittrick is a litigator and trial attorney. His practice focuses on complex and large-scale antitrust, copyright and entertainment matters in all forms of dispute resolution and litigation, from complaint through appeal.

David has been involved in some of the most significant antitrust matters over the past few years, obtaining favorable results for Fortune 500 companies and other clients in bench and jury trials involving price discrimination and group boycott claims. His practice includes the full range of antitrust matters and disputes: from class actions to competitor suits and merger review. David advises antitrust clients in a range of industries, including entertainment, automotive, pharmaceutical, healthcare, agriculture, hospitality, financial services, and sports.

David also advises music, publishing, medical device, sports, and technology clients in navigating complex copyright issues and compliance. He has represented some of the most recognized names in entertainment, including Sony Music Entertainment, Lady Gaga, U2, Madonna, Daft Punk, RCA Records, BMG Music Publishing, Live Nation, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Universal Music Group and Warner/Chappell.

David maintains an active pro bono practice, supporting clients in the arts and in immigration proceedings. He has been repeatedly recognized as Empire State Counsel by the New York State Bar Association for his pro bono service, and is a recipient of Proskauer’s Golden Gavel Award for excellence in pro bono work.

When not practicing law, David spends time practicing piano. He recently made his Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall with a piano trio and accompanying a Schubert lieder.

Session I – Copyright Law Update | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

• Copyright basics
• Important cases
• Developments regarding the PROS’s
• AI

Break | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

Session II – Evolving Music Licensing Frameworks | 1:10pm – 2:10pm

• The changing landscape of music licensing
• The role of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)in the digital age
• Blockchain and smart contracts for rights management
• Direct licensing vs. collective licensing: Key considerations
• Addressing licensing challenges in the creator economy

Break | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

Session III – Music Industry: Deal Structuring, Negotiation and Pitfalls | 2:20pm – 3:20pm

• Types of deals in the music industry
• Key terms and deal points
• Structuring for success
• Negotiation strategies
• Common pitfalls and legal traps
• Modern trends and challenges
• Case studies and practical insights

Break | 3:20pm – 3:30pm

Session IV – Copyright & Licensing: Untangling the Thicket | 3:30pm – 4:30pm

• Copyright protections for music
• Music licensing
• Fair use
• The role of experts in music copyright cases