All posts by Sean O'Connor

Sean O’Connor is Professor of Law at George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School. He is also Founding Director of the Innovation Law Clinic and Executive Director of the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property (CPIP). With a diverse background in music, technology, philosophy, history, business, and law, he specializes in legal issues and strategies for entrepreneurship and the commercialization of innovation in biotechnology, information technology, and new media/digital arts.

Music Remixing vs. Remastering: What was licensed in the ABS v. CBS lawsuit?

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Sean O'Connor

Should new digital versions of classic old analog recordings sound essentially the same as the originals, or provide a fresh take on them? For some record labels with valuable old sound recordings, licenses that should have established the labels’ decisions … Continue reading →

Categories: Art, Commerce, Commercialization, Creativity, Electrical & Digital Arts, Goods/Artifacts, Intellectual Property, Uncategorized

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Why “Stairway to Heaven” Doesn’t Infringe “Taurus” Copyright: analysis & demo of “scenes a faire” motif common to both

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Sean O'Connor

[Updated with more accurate embed and analysis of fourth descending tone in Stairway to Heaven] Jimmy Page brought his guitar to court today. He’s defending his guitar part composition that forms the basis of the iconic Stairway to Heaven from allegations … Continue reading →

Categories: Creativity, Fine Arts, Intellectual Property, Liberal Arts

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Digital First Sale at Asia-Pacific IP Forum

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Sean O'Connor

Recently I spoke on digital first sale at the 2014 Asia-Pacific IP Forum, an annual event that rotates amongst the partner law schools including UW, Seoul National University, East China University, and others. The event was hosted in Seoul Korea … Continue reading →

Categories: Art, Commerce, Commercialization, Creativity, Electrical & Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Goods/Artifacts, Information Technology, Innovation, Intellectual Property, Services, Technology Entrepreneurship

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USPTO Cancellation of Redskins trademark does not mean the end of the mark/name

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Sean O'Connor

The media is treating the TTAB’s cancellation of 6 of the Redskins’ trademarks as if this is the end of the name/mark (pending appeal). http://nyti.ms/1l2Wela But, as the TTAB itself points out, federal registration is not the totality of trademark … Continue reading →

Categories: Commerce, Goods/Artifacts, Intellectual Property, Law, Services

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Crowdfunding’s Impact on Start-Up IP Strategy

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Sean O'Connor

[The following is summarized from my forthcoming article in the George Mason Law Review] Crowdfunding has been heralded as a revolutionary and democratic way to connect ordinary individuals with innovative projects they would like to support. The version involving equity … Continue reading →

Categories: Art, Commerce, Commercialization, Corporate/Securities Law, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Law, Technology

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