Licensing 101 (CLE)

Debunking Rights and Clearance Misconceptions

With Will Friend and Jared Kagan, Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP

This hour long, introductory class explains the basics of intellectual property (IP) licensing using music synchronization (“sync”) licenses as a practical example. A sync license is the agreement that allows directors and producers to use a musical work in films, TV shows, commercials, or online videos.

The class is designed for musicians, songwriters, filmmakers, and other creatives who may either license their work to others or obtain licenses to use music in their projects. The class will also be a helpful introduction for lawyers interested in learning the basics of this field. Using a sample synchronization license agreement, we will walk through the key sections commonly found in IP licensing contracts, including the license grant, scope of rights, term, territory, payment terms, credits, and risk-allocation provisions and touch upon practical tips for a smooth licensing process.

Along the way, we will discuss how these provisions affect both sides of the deal and which terms typically favor licensors and licensees.

The goal is to give participants a practical understanding of how licensing agreements are structured so they can better understand, negotiate, and enter into sync licenses and other IP licensing arrangements to further their creative goals.

Instructors: Will Friend and Jared Kagan

William J. Friend is a corporate associate and a member of the firm’s Investment Management Group.

Mr. Friend joined Debevoise in 2025. Mr. Friend received his J.D./M.B.A from New York University School of Law and Stern School of Business in 2025, where he was a recipient of the Dean’s Award, a Cyber Scholar and a Jacobson Law & Business Scholar. Mr. Friend received a B.A. from Brown University in 2020.

Mr. Friend is the co-author of Psychological Barriers to Resolving Intergroup Conflict in Negotiation Journal with Harvard Business School Professor Deepak Malhotra.

Jared Kagan is a counsel in the firm’s Intellectual Property group. His practice includes litigation and counselling on trademark, false advertising, copyright, and defamation matters, and has litigated cases in both state and federal court, before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and before the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau. The Legal 500 US (2025), which has described him as one of the “best trademark litigators, hands-down” and “outstanding,” recognizes Mr. Kagan for his trademark litigation work and recognizes him as a leader for advertising litigation. He is also ranked as an “Up and Coming” attorney in Chambers USA (2025). The World Trademark Review 1000 (2026) ranks him in the bronze band noting Mr. Kagan’s “excellent legal abilities and knack for market surveys and experts.”

Mr. Kagan’s recent representations have included a victory before the U.S. Supreme Court in USPTO v. Booking.com B.V., the first ever case argued by telephone in the Supreme Court. In an 8-1 decision, the Court held that Booking.com B.V.’s eponymous domain name is not generic and could register as a trademark. Mr. Kagan also represented Costco in a 3-0 win before the Second Circuit, which overturned a summary judgment decision that Costco counterfeited and willfully infringed Tiffany & Company’s TIFFANY trademark. The Second Circuit also vacated the trial damages award of over $25 million. Other recent representations have included defeating a motion for a preliminary injunction on behalf of Bank of America concerning its virtual financial assistant Erica and subsequently securing summary judgment for Bank of America, reducing a $5.6 million jury verdict against New York & Co. by nearly 70 percent, and on behalf of WeWork halting a competing coworking company from opening under the confusingly similar WE+ mark.

Membership Discount Code: Are you a VLA Member trying to register for this class? E-mail to get your membership discount code: registrations@vlany.org.

Fees:

• $25 Full-Time Student (must present proof of full-time status with registration)
• $25 Artists Over Sixty
• $35 Arts Professional VLA Member
• $55 Arts Professional Non-Member
• $150 Legal Professional VLA Member
• $200 Legal Professional Non-Member
• $100 Young Associate Members (YAM’s)

Please note that if you wish to receive CLE credit, you must purchase an attorney ticket (Legal Professional Non-Member or Legal Professional Member).

For attorneys, there are various scholarships available. To view our Financial Aid Policy Guidelines and for more information on how to apply, click here.

Refund Policy: All registration fees are non-refundable. Instructors are subject to change and no refunds will be given in the event that there is a substitution of the instructor.

Webinar Access and Recording: Please note that this session is hosted live and no recording will be available, so please be sure to arrive on time to ensure you can view the entire class. No materials will be distributed for this course. To view VLA's library of on-demand videos, click here.