April 2020 Newsletter: COVID-19 Relief Programs for Small Businesses and Creative Professionals

We understand that the current health crisis has exerted financial strains on a lot of businesses and nonprofits, including right here in San Diego. In an effort to help businesses that are scrambling to keep their doors open, we have gathered a list of San Diego, state, and national resources available to small business owners.

As we move into times of economic uncertainty, making sure that people like creatives, journalists, startups, and everyday consumers who can't afford legal services have somewhere like New Media Rights to turn to as important as ever.⁠ 

All of the staff here at New Media Rights are working remotely, taking the necessary precautions, and practicing our social distancing skills for the foreseeable future. 

If you need legal assistance, our contact form is open: www.newmediarights.org/about_us/contact_us 

Here are some additional resources and news about what we’re up to.

 

Copyright Guide for Educators

If you’re a teacher or an educator and have questions about how to use copyrighted content in your virtual classrooms, check out our guide Copyright & The Classroom: Using Copyrighted Material In Classrooms and Distance Learning. There are some important exemptions under copyright law for certain performances and displays of copyrighted content in the classroom (including certain limited online learning situations), so learn your rights and exercise them!

New Publication in the Texas IP Law Journal 

Our paper, Fixing Copyright Registration For Online Video Creators: The Case for Group Registration of Published Videos, was published in the Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal! The article considers the history of published group registration since the Copyright Act of 1976 and argues that future modernization efforts should include group registration of published videos (which is currently not permitted).

California Entrepreneurship Educators Conference (CEEC)

In April, Executive Director Art Neill spoke at the CEEC on a panel about legal education for entrepreneurs, including intellectual property, privacy, contracts, and other areas that are fundamental to getting a business off the ground. The CEEC was live-streamed to more than 1,100 attendees, representing 65 countries, 28 states, and 875 universities and organizations, who connected to learn and advance the field of entrepreneurship education. 

Nevertheless Film takes a look at sexual harassment in the workplace

New Media Rights is proud to provide legal services to social impact films, including Sarah Moshman’s new documentary film, Nevertheless. Taking a look behind the headlines of #MeToo and Time’s Up, Nevertheless follows the intimate stories of 7 individuals who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace or school context. From a writer's assistant on a top TV show to a Tech CEO and 911 dispatcher, the film shines a light on the ways in which we can shift our culture and rebuild. 

Due to COVID-19, Nevertheless is now available as an online community screening. You can learn more about the film here.  

Media and Privacy Law Day at Serra Mesa High School

In February, NMR and the Community Law Project partnered for the second time to present a media and privacy law presentation at Serra Mesa High School in San Diego. We spoke to 4 classes at Serra Mesa about some of the laws that control deceptive advertising online, and data collection laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Act. We also discussed how some artificial intelligence technologies learn from the content people post online, and the challenges this poses for the companies developing them.

Thanks to Serra Mesa High School and CLP for having us! This presentation was made possible in part by the Rose Foundation.

NMR included in SD Voyager’s Inspiring Stories

The SD Voyager recently published an article about New Media Rights! Executive Director Art Neill spoke to SD Voyager as part of their Inspiring Stories series. We are glad to be included amongst the “rising stars” of our local community!

Tech Con SoCal 

In January, NMR was at Tech Con Southern California! We gave free consultations and talked to local San Diego tech industry folks about our services. Held at the Sony North America HQ, TechCon brought together renowned industry executives, innovators, researchers, technologists and investors, who highlighted the depth and breadth of the Southern California technology ecosystem, particularly in San Diego. 

These consultations were made possible in part by the City of San Diego Economic Development Department.

Join us for #GivingTuesdayNow

#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. We're already seeing unique COVID-19 related cases, and expect an increase in demand for our services as we are all relying on the internet in our daily lives more than ever. With your help, we can work to meet this growing demand.

 

We wish you and yours all the best in these challenging times, and look forward to our paths crossing soon.

Art, Shaun, Erika and the entire New Media Rights Team

 

 

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