Tag: legal

Evans chapter on copyright appears in ‘Hip Hop and The Law’ anthology pub’d by Carolina Academic Press

Posted on by TME in Copyright, Digital, entertainment law, Hip Hop, Intellectual Property, law school, literary, Media, Music, scholarship

I am excited to announce the official publication of the anthology, Hip Hop & the Law, edited by the late Pamela Bridgewater (formerly a professor at American University School of Law), andré douglas pond cummings (Vice Dean and Professor of Law at Indiana Tech Law School), and Donald F. Tibbs (Associate Professor at the Drexel University School of Law).

I am honored that my contribution,  “Sampling, Looping and Mashing … Oh My! How Hip Hop Music is Scratching More Than the Surface of Copyright Law“, appears in this formidable collection of essential reflections by many of today’s leading critical thinkers. From professors, to practitioners, to creatives, Hip Hop and the Law curates a host of diverse voices to analyze and assess the interdisciplinary intersection of American jurisprudence and hip hop music and culture.

bridgewater coverWhat is important to understanding American law? What is important to understanding hip hop? Wide swaths of renowned academics, practitioners, commentators, and performance artists have answered these two questions independently. And although understanding both depends upon the same intellectual enterprise, textual analysis of narrative storytelling, somehow their intersection has escaped critical reflection.

Hip Hop and the Law merges the two cultural giants of law and rap music and demonstrates their relationship at the convergence of Legal Consciousness, Politics, Hip Hop Studies, and American Law.

No matter what your role or level of experience with law or hip hop, this book is a sound resource for learning, discussing, and teaching the nuances of their relationship. Topics include Critical Race Theory, Crime and Justice, Mass Incarceration, Gender, and American Law: including Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Constitutional Law, and Real Property Law.

About Hip Hop & the Law published by Carolina Academic Press

Professor Evans Joins BLSA & Widener Law for March 26th Day of Justice for Trayvon

Posted on by TME in Event, law school, law student

Last Updated: March 23, 2012 [8:05 PM]

Credit: Professor Tonya Evans
Wearing her hoodie in solidarity
#millionhoodies

If you are not aware of the Trayvon Martin murder and controversy, please take a moment to review the links below.

The case is receiving national and international attention as people of good conscience, regardless of race, rally in support of justice in this horrific case where a 17-year old high school boy was killed by a 28-year old man.

Trayvon, walking in his neighborhood in Sanford, Florida wearing a hoodie because it was raining, was carrying candy and a can of iced tea. George Zimmerman, his killer, was driving in his car, following Trayvon because he looked “suspicious” and armed with a 9 mil gun.

Additionally, Anderson Cooper of CNN recently analyzed the 911 tapes for what appears to be racial epithets muttered by Zimmerman just before he began to pursue Trayvon.

The point is not just ensuring Trayvon’s killer is arrested and tried but also to challenge the Florida “Stand Your Ground” law which apparently gives citizens the license to kill first and ask questions later.  Note, however, the co-sponsor of the “Stand Your Ground” castle doctrine, FL State Representive Dennis Baxley, has stated the law as written would not apply to a case where the shooter pursues and confronts the victim. This tragedy should never happen again.

As a citizen, professor, lawyer and woman of color & conscience, I stand in solidarity with BLSA, with the nation and the world in support of Justice for Trayvon.

Justice is not just for some. But for all.

Here is the letter from the Black Law Students Association at Widener University School of Law:

On February 26, a 17-year old African-American boy named Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by a self-appointed neighborhood watchmen who thought he looked suspicious because he was wearing a hoodie (hooded sweatshirt). Nearly a month later, this gunman has yet to be charged or arrested.

The gunman has claimed self-defense, and local authorities have not yet charge him because of provisions in Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. Awareness of this tragedy has been spreading over the news and social media networks.

For some information regarding the Trayvon Martin controversy and the “Stand Your Ground law, please see the links below:

The Black Law Student Association of the Widener Harrisburg campus feels strongly that justice has yet to be served in this case. As law students, we should be concerned with fairness and equality in all levels of the legal system.

Events expressing the disapproval of the lack of action by authorities have been organized all over the country, including law schools. On Monday, March 26, we are asking members of the Widener community to wear (1) all black or (2) a hoodie in solidarity of justice for Trayvon Martin.

Thank you,

Black Law Student Association–Widener Harrisburg Chapter

About Professor Tonya M. Evans

EVENT ALERT: Professor Evans to Speak the Maryland Writers Conference 4-24-10

Posted on by TME in Event

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, Professor Tonya M. Evans, intellectual property and literary law expert and award-winning author of a series of legal reference guides for writers, will present a lively and engaging presentation on some of the most common and pressing legal issues and hot topics facing writers and other creative people in the twenty-first century.

Topics sure to be covered include how copyright is created and protected, what is considered a fair use in print and on the Internet, what can and cannot be copyrighted, how legally to refer to real people, places, and events in one’s own work, the real deal about the myth of the Poor Man’s copyright, and the critical timing of when to register your work with the Copyright Office. Plus, Professor Evans will field audience questions and sign copies of her books during the event, includingLiterary Law Guide for Authors, Copyright Companion for Writers, and Contracts Companion for Writers (all available at the newly redesigned Legal Write Publications website!).

The Maryland Writers’ Association (MWA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art, business, and craft of writing. MWA strives to bring together writers of all levels and disciplines, serve as an information resource, help members make contacts that lead to publication, encourage writers to reach their full potential, and promote writing within the community. MWA’s diverse membership ranges from professional freelancers and published authors, to writers aspiring to be published and those who write as a creative outlet.