Even before designers’ creations adorn the world’s most beautiful stars at red carpet events, their works are being “knocked off” by discount retailers all over the world. Legislation pending before Congress would give designers intellectual property rights over their designs for the first time in U. S. history.

Will this help or hinder the fashion industry? Will designers finally be able to prevent unauthorized reproductions? Or will their creativity be hobbled if they can’t borrow inspiration from each other?

Join us Nov. 9 for a lively discussion of this law frontier during the annual Jordan H. and Joan R. Leibman Forum on the Legal & Business Environment of Art.

Kenan Farrell, founder of KLF Legal, and Beth Bennett, founder of Beth Bennett Couture, will describe fashion’s special status in intellectual property law and take questions from the audience as they present “Fashioning the Law of Design: Wearable Intellectual Property.”

Farrell is an IU Law-Indianapolis alumnus who started his Intellectual Property and Entertainment law firm in the Arts and Theater District on Mass. Ave. His practice focuses on the strategic development and protection of creative properties. He represents clients in music, film, theater, television, book publishing and the visual arts throughout the U. S. and abroad. He is the current chairman of the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Solo and Small Firm Committee and also serves on the board of the Sports & Entertainment Committee. He’s an in-demand speaker on a wide range of intellectual property, entertainment and practice management topics.

Beth Bennett holds a B.F.A. degree from DePaul University and a M.F.A. from New York University. Trained as a costume designer for stage and screen, she is the founder and owner of Beth Bennett Couture, the umbrella company for B Trousseau Couture, a line of custom bridal and luxury gowns, and Picnic, a line of daywear separates and dresses that include one-of-a-kind pieces and a limited number of manufactured styles.

The lecture will take at place at 5:30 p.m. at the Indiana University School of Law—Indianapolis, Inlow Hall, 530 W. New York Street, in the Wynne Courtroom (room 100). A reception in the Conour Atrium will follow. Parking is available for a nominal fee at the Natatorium Garage two blocks west of the law school.

Continuing Legal Education Credit (1.3 Hours) will be available for attendance.

This presentation is part of the annual Jordan H. and Joan R. Leibman Forum, which was established at IUPUI in 2004 as an interdisciplinary examination of the legal and business aspects of the arts among the IU Kelley School of Business, the IU School of Law-Indianapolis and Herron School of Art and Design.

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