Business Innovators Radio - Zen Waseme, Esq.: Earn CLE Credits at International Law and IP Conference Set for Oct. 11-14 in Paris, France

Episode Date: July 30, 2024

Zen Waseme Shares Insights on the Must-Attend International Law and IP Conference in ParisIn this episode, Dr. Tami Patzer talks with Zen Waseme, an intellectual property attorney at ArtWorks, about the upcoming International Law and IP Conference in Paris, France set for Oct. 11-14, 2024.Zen Waseme is an experienced intellectual property attorney who has been instrumental in developing ArtWorks, the only ABA-approved intellectual property legal incubator and residency program. With a global network of attorneys, Zen is passionate about honoring intellectual property as an international practice and supporting creative professionals.During the interview, Zen discusses the core objectives of the conference, which include helping attorneys and law students understand intellectual property law from an international lens.The event will feature sessions led by artists, attorney-artists, and Zen herself, covering crucial topics like trademarks, copyrights, patents, and the importance of the Madrid Protocol agreement.Attendees can also look forward to networking opportunities, cultural experiences like an art crawl and a boat ride on the Seine, as well as the chance to earn valuable CLE credits.This conference is a must-attend for legal professionals and law students interested in intellectual property, international law, and supporting the creative community. By attending, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the global nature of intellectual property practice, learn strategies for serving creative clients, and have the opportunity to build valuable connections with a diverse network of legal professionals from around the world.To learn more about the International Law and IP Conference and ArtWorks’ innovative programs, visit ArtWorksInParis.com. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the dynamic intersection of law, creativity, and international collaboration. To get more details about Artworks Residential Program, go to https://artworksincubator.com/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/zen-waseme-esq-earn-cle-credits-at-international-law-and-ip-conference-set-for-oct-11-14-in-paris-france

Welcome to Business Innovators Radio, featuring industry influencers and trendsetters, sharing proven strategies to help you build a better life right now. Hi, this is Dr. Tammy Panzer, and today we're going to discuss the International Law and IP Conference in event sent for October 11th through October 14th, 2024 in Paris, France, that will present. provide deep insights into the latest advancements in intellectual property and international law. This conference is sponsored by Artworks Legal Incubator, the only ABA-approved intellectual property legal incubator and residency program. Artworks combines an innovative business incubator with a competitive residency program. Their goal is to help entrepreneurial candidates, build successful law practices in intellectual property and the arts with a focus on contract and entertainment law. Practice areas include music, fashion, film, publishing, and beauty industries.

Joining us today is Zen Wasami, an intellectual property attorney at Artworks, who will share more about the conference. Artworks and the exciting opportunities available for attorneys looking to grow in these fields. Stay tuned as we delve into the sessions, expert speakers, and key topics that make this conference essential for professionals in law and intellectual property. Welcome, Zen. Hi, how are you today? Good.

This sounds like just such an exciting conference in Paris. can you give me just a brief overview of the international law and IP conference in Paris and highlight its main objectives? Okay, so the main, the core, the main thing about this conference is to allow attorneys and law students to really start looking at intellectual property from the international lens. So a lot of times everyone's in their own little countries or even, even their own states within the countries and not realizing the interconnectedness, the global piece of intellectual property law, or even realizing that it is a global practice.

So that's the highlight. And so that's what we're going to be doing. We're going to have conferences and not conferences like information sessions. We'll have lectures from artists, from attorneys. And we'll also be giving awards out to countries that have recently. come to understand how important intellectual property is. And so that's really what the weekend's going to be about. There's going to be an art crawl.

There's going to be a fun day just enjoying Paris. And it's a good opportunity to get CLE credits. So CLE credits, that is vital for these different attorneys who are moving through because don't you have to have those continuing education credits just continuously over the years? Yes, well, depending on your state or your country, you have to have a certain amount of hours to make sure your license stays valid. So you have to do that. So why not do it within something interesting like intellectual property law as well as international law? And for law students, they can get academic credit as well.

So academic credit, continuing education credits. So tell me what makes this conference unique compared to other legal conference? conferences. And why do you think legal professionals should really consider attending? Well, what makes this conference so unique? At the height of the pandemic, artworks like a lot of other organizations, was kind of forced to go inside, you know, forced to pivot and do something online. And so in doing that, so many attorneys from around the world, you know, came to study with artwork. So now we actually have a network of attorneys from France, Germany, Israel, Korea, Ecuador, like, you name it. So I think it's important, it became

important to me to honor intellectual property as international practice. So that's what we're going to be doing. And this is our first conference out of the United States. And we're going to do it annually, we're going to pick an exciting place to talk about intellectual property and international law and another country, you know, every year we're going to do it just like that and just let attorneys and students come together legal professionals and just learn more, explore more, in a fun city like Paris. Well, that was what I was thinking. Paris, France, I mean, right now the Summer Olympics are happening. And of course, by October, it sounds like it's the perfect time of year to go to France.

So what would you say are the top three takeaways that attendees can expect from attending this conference? Well, the top thing, like I said, is I want them to understand that intellectual property is a global practice, is an international practice, and you can do it from anywhere in the world, and you can have clients anywhere in the world. You know, a lot of times you're thinking, well, I'm located in New York. can I represent somebody in Florida? Well, it's even bigger than that now.

You can be in New York and represent somebody in Malaysia. I want people to get the impact of that and just let that sink in for a minute and just how deep as well as why this practice is. So that's one thing, letting people understand how large the practice area can be. Also, we're going to be talking about how to actually serve creative people. And even though, I say even though this practice area is very lucrative, we're looking to work with people that have a heart for service. You know, so this is very service-oriented where artworks, we consider ourselves like the

protectors, the advocates for people, you know, the creative people of the world. So that's the second piece. And then the third takeaway is, like I said, we're going to have an awards gala a reception where representatives of countries that have recently joined the Madrid Protocol and the Madrid treaty. And so let me take a step back. What that is, that's an agreement between a group of countries that is said, you know, they understand how important intellectual property is and say, as an American, right, I should be protected also in Paris, in France, right? So that way, what that agreement does, it allows anyone in a country that has agreed to this to have protection

globally. And so we want to honor those countries that recognize that. And not just that they recognize it, they push through during the pandemic. Now, you may remember me talking about it all the time, talking about how much innovation increased during the pandemic. Through the roof, like entities were formed. I know the USPTO, I think they got an increase of 172% during like the first quarter of 2020. Yeah, by the end of the first quarter of 2020. And remember, the quarantine didn't start until March. So we're already into the first quarter and that was the increase. So I want to applaud countries that, one, seeing this innovations spike through the roof, said, listen, we want to do something to make sure our citizens have global protection. And I think that's commendable,

especially in a time where, you know, we are all so overwhelmed by the pandemic and wondering what to do. and how to pivot. And I think it's commendable that in spite of all the fear and the questions of what next, they said we're going to push through and make sure our citizens can have intellectual property protection that I see as a human right, actually. So that's the third. That's the third. One, come learn about IP and through the international lens.

Two, understand how deep a practice area that is. And three, let's honor these countries. that got it. A lot of countries, a lot of politicians don't get it and don't really think about intellectual property as a human rights issue, but these countries have. So we want to honor them. That is very interesting because with all of the changes with AI and everything, it sounds like the perfect time to come together and honor the people recognizing that intellectual property is a global issue. And that is fascinating to know that you could be practicing in New York and have clients anywhere in the world. That is a very fascinating aspect of all this. So can you highlight some of the

key sessions and speakers that will be at this event and explain why these topics are so relevant today? Okay, so yes, I can do that. The three key topics for these sessions. One, it's going to be intellectual property from an artist's perspective. Right. So we will have one of our, the artworks clients, that's an artist speak about what his life was like, what his art is like, and how he's, you know, pretty reputable. And even in that, on doing art on that level, even he had infringement issues going on. And so he's going to talk about intellectual property from an artist's level and how coming to artworks, you know, he got what he needed to make sure his intellectual property was protected

as well as to stop the infringement. Then we're also going to have an attorney who is an artist as well as an attorney. But as an artist, you know, her story is so important because she makes the case that even as an attorney that's been practicing for a while, even she didn't know how to protect her own work. You know, so she came to artworks and just learned so much about protection of her art. And so that's important that we get intellectual property from an attorney as well as an artist's perspective. And then I'm also going to be speaking there talking about like the heavier topics with international law as well as intellectual property and the developments over the years.

And we're also going to do a tour with the Louvre. And so that's going to give us access to some things most people don't have access to and learn about IP at the Louvre as well as the CLE credits will be integral to all of these sessions. And then the one, two, three, then the fourth session will just be a. mini session, and that's right at the reception for the countries that joined the Madrid Protocol Agreement and basically going in, you know, really honoring them and talking about each individual country and what their history had been prior to joining this global treaty

and after. Like, what is it like now? Now that you, you know, you were on your own. And now that you're part of this global protection. Tell us about your citizenship and what's going on with the creativity. Because if you think about it, before joining this agreement, each individual citizen would have to go to every country and try to get approval or registration of their intellectual property. Now, one office, one portal, global protection. And so I'm glad to have countries that will have representative speak on behalf of that. Like, what is that like now that, you know, for your citizens to have this ability to get global protection without going to 200 different countries, 200 different filings,

200 different attorneys, you know, to get global protection? So that's why it's social human human rights issue, you know, that's an exorbitant fee. Even if you think about the fee only being $1, right? that's exorbitant. So now we have this tool in place that everyone kind of levels the playing field. And it makes sense that creatives get the support and the protection that they need and excited. I'm very excited. Wow.

I didn't know that because, I mean, I've registered a name before. And just that was, you know, a daunting task. So the knowledge that these attorneys, and law students will get, how will they be able to apply what they learn at this conference to their educational or to their careers? As far as the students, the law students? You're asking about the law students? The students and the career attorneys.

How will they be able to apply it? Well, for students, they can get academic credit like a clinical. So artworks as a residency program serves as a clinical for law students, and we've been doing that for about a decade. So that's already in place and they can get those credits. Before you can practice law in many jurisdictions, you have to have some sort of clinical. So that's how law students really get a bump up by getting this academic credit and this hands-on practice. So that's for the students. As far as the attorneys, this session is really for them to understand the importance of it and how will they apply it.

They will get a general overview of intellectual property. They will leave understanding what is a trademark, what is a copyright. People confuse the two all the time. What is a patent? We're going to talk about trade dress. We're going to talk about trade secrets. We're going to talk about intellectual property holding companies. So they're going to get the basic tools that they need by attending this conference to have a,

you know, a really engaging and valuable conversation with clients. Sometimes attorneys know a lot about trademarks. and not so much about copyrights. So they know about copyrights and not so much about patents. This conference is going to give you enough of everything so that even if you don't explore patents, you're going to have the eye to see that your client needs a patent and be able to give them some guidance on that.

Even if you decide you don't want to handle that bit of it, it will still give the competence and the confidence to give your client an actual brand audit, you know, understanding where their businesses and give them guidance and a strategy. Help them have a strategy to monetize it, even if you don't care about patents or care about copyrights. You'll understand enough to talk about it. That's really interesting because my next question is actually related to networking and relationship building because, like what you just said, you may be going there and maybe you don't want to handle every single detail of this.

but how do you view the networking and relationship building opportunities for all the attendees? Well, I think it's tremendous because you're correct. And when you talk about networking, so that is something that we preach at artworks. Come here and learn in the residency program. Even if you don't want to do that, you're going to find somebody that loves it. And that'll be someone that you can say, hey, handle all my children. trademarks, I got you for the patents. You know, that networking is so important because not everyone enjoys all practice areas within intellectual property, but you will have that network. In addition to that,

because it is a global conference, you could be meeting legal professionals from all over the world. And that right there is going to open up your eye to a larger reach for your own practice area and your own clients. And it's just, it's phenomenal. And I've sort of been blown away myself, within, like I said, we really jumped into this at the height of the pandemic. And I've been overwhelmed at the connections I've been able to make and the way I've been able to bring people together from around the world and do this amazing thing called intellectual property law. So the networking will be amazing.

You're going to get what you need as far as the substance and learning. Because remember, it's a four-day thing. It's not a one day. You're going to have enough time to immerse yourself in it. hands on, enjoy it, and fall in love with it and meet other people that are doing the same thing. So, yeah, the networking opportunity is really good. Well, it sounds like it because four days, so that gives you the opportunity to actually create real relationships with people and maybe form some collaborations, like you said,

hey, I love to do trademarks. Oh, I love patents. Hey, let's work together. It sounds like the ideal situation. and it's also that relaxed environment. You're in a beautiful location, and you have a lot of different cultural and social activities planned.

So can you tell me about some of those optional activities that you have planned around this conference? Okay. And let me step one thing back where you're talking about networking and stuff. I do want to say that when I said I've been receiving so many opportunities, what I mean is artworks has been able to, refer clients all over the world to attorneys that work with us. So that's definitely you will be

able to get more clients. So the fun stuff, although intellectual property is super fun to me, but the stuff, they're like touristy things. We're going to be having a lot of meals together, first of all, really delicious food and great restaurants. And so to me, even though food is not optional, being together like that is optional. So we'll be doing. that, all the yummy food. We're going to take a boat ride on the same. We're going to do an art crawl. There is an art crawl meaning the loaves. It's escaping me two other major museums there. The Louvre is like dominating my head right now. So three other major museums for the art crawl. And the beauty of that is you'll get a chance of network, but also observe international art.

art from all over the world and you know just make putting two to two together in terms of intellectual property and international law um house of Versailles right um what else I said the boat ride talk about the food the art crawl I think that's it I think that might be it

there may be something I'm missing here but those are the three ones that the river the river the boat ride you're thinking of something I'm missing Well, I'm just, in my mind, I'm just thinking about the Louvre in itself is like on everyone's list if they go to Paris. And when you actually think about the boat right on the saying, the Louvre, the restaurants being in Paris, and then mix the intellectual property concepts and the law, it's like, I think it would be heaven for anyone who is interested in. and those combinations of things because you're getting to do that. The Art DeTrial.

And the reason why I'm pointing that out is because people don't recognize a lot that architecture is intellectual property. So that's definitely on the list of something to explore and talk about how that ties into. This is about the Louvre. You know art. So you think intellectual property. But we don't think about architecture. So we're going to go to the Art Day Trump and talk about that.

Well, I think in the beginning, I know in my introduction, I was talking about all of the things that you can apply your legal expertise to in the music, fashion, art, entertainment. I mean, there's a lot of buckets of opportunity there. So just that environment, I think I could just see that it would be a very expansive experience. experience and get your creative juices going about how can I apply my interest in intellectual property and the law into this and what do I want to focus on? Because what I've heard from you is that there's just this like unlimited opportunities to get the broad strokes, but then if you want to focus, you can focus on any of these different avenues. And you get to see, like, just learning about the Madrid Treaty and the protocol,

that in itself would just be very fascinating to understand how global intellectual property is and how you would want to protect your intellectual property globally because it wouldn't make sense to only have it protected in one country when we live in such a global fluid world. It makes so much sense to me. So, especially now, it's completely global. I wanted to also ask you, beyond this event, the October 11th through the 14th event,

you also have the artworks, and it's the only ABA-approved residency and incubator program out there. So how, if somebody's interested in this whole thing, and can you give us more information about the residency program and how that works? Okay. So, excuse me, I did talk a little bit about the students program.

So that's the externship program. As far as the residency program for attorneys, basically you come into the program, artworks program, and you're going to have a deep dive. So this weekend is like a boot camp, quick immersion. But with the residency program, the actual full program, there are modules. You know, so you're the deep dive into copyright. So it's not just like how do you process the copyright application or how do you talk about copyright. We talk about the history, where it came from.

And that's going to give you what you need when you're talking about strategy, putting a strategy together for your client, not just putting an application together. So we do that for copyright. We do that for trademark. And we do that for patents as well. So most people, they go ahead and do all three modules because it's just very engaging and fun. And so people stick around for all three modules.

And then they get what they know. need in terms of the mentorship. They just need somebody to talk to. I have this case. I have this client. I need some assistance with that to get all of that. We do group sessions. We do one-on-one, whatever you need. You can link up with a senior attorney just to have somebody to call. Sometimes you just need confidence. And so there's opportunities to practice. So that's the main thing. It's about business and personal development. It's about understanding the law itself. And then for new attorneys, it's opportunity to practice. And that's important for attorneys that have never practiced any form of law before,

like right out of law school. But it's also good for attorneys that say you've been practicing family law for the last 20 years. And you want to pivot and do something new or different with your career. Artworks is a great place to get that academic training and foundation to launch another practice area. Or like maybe you're doing commercial law. Right. So you're already working with businesses. You're already doing entity formation and that kind of thing. That transactional intellectual property is a great practice area to add to whatever you're already doing. So sometimes it's like, I don't want to do that anymore. This is what I love. Or I'm doing this, but I'm noticing my clients have a lot of IP issues. I could serve them better if I learn more about it. So those are the ways you can put that training into place and grow your practice or start your practice depending on where you are in your career.

That's really interesting because being in the profession I'm in, I know that everyone who has a business probably has intellectual property or they need a trademark or they need something for copyright and they have absolutely no idea how to go about it. and they might go online and find some form or something, but then they don't know what to do after a certain point. So it makes perfect sense to me that attorney should have this in their arsenal of some broad knowledge. I wanted to go back to the conference and just get some logistical information. Obviously, if you're coming from the United States or somewhere else, you're going to need to travel and accommodations.

So in the conference, what is included in your basic rate that you'll be charging for this? Okay, so you get your hotel and all your meals and the CLE, you know, access to CLE. sessions as well as access to everything we do. So when I talk about going on the museum crawl, you will have access to all of that. When I talk about the boat ride, that comes with it, all of those things. So the food, the CLE, the only thing that's not covered, I would say be your flights. So right, it's a good time to grab a flight. So basically, it's very inclusive of all the things, the lodging, the food, those are big,

expenses when you go to a conference. So that's all taking care of. The conference itself, those other events that you're going to include. And so it's basically about, hey, go check and get a flight in so that you arrive. What time does the event actually start on the 11th? So people can kind of get an idea. I'm pulling up the calendar. Sorry. I'll say, so we're going to have a meet and greet on Friday. So that meeting and greed is, I think, 6 o'clock.

So it's kind of like a cocktail hour. It's later in the day. It allows people to get in, rest up, grab their swag bags, and settle into the hotel, and then come back down and start talking to each other, getting to know your network, time, you know, grab some bites, maybe take a sip and start talking about why we're here. Why are we here? What is the purpose of artworks in your life? At least your life for the next four days.

So that's what happening on Friday. Okay. So that means that they could get a flight sometime during the day or they could come in the day before, whichever they chose. But because six o'clock, that gives them the whole day for traveling. and everything, but of course you have to take into consideration the time zones. So do your research, everyone. So you've got education, networking, professional development. I wanted to find out where can people go to register or to find out more information about this.

For this particular conference, everything's on artworks in Paris.com. So you can register there. can read more about the event. There's even like resources learn more about IP, as well as the link to go straight to learn about intellectual property studying programs with artworks. So everything's on theartworks in Paris.com website. Artworks in Paris.com. So let's say somebody's like, wow, that really sounds like something I want to do. What would you say to legal professionals and students who are on the fence about attending this conference and, you know, what would you say that might tip them over to say, yes, this is for me? Okay, so I say two things, two things, two different

things. One for law students, I would say you're in school, you're already studying, get the edge, get the edge before you get out of school. Intellectual property is the cutting edge, the fastest, organically developing practice area and just get the edge. That's what I would say. You wouldn't want to miss on that. Expose yourself to that. As for attorneys, I would say that this practice area is very nuanced. And you're not going to be able to just complete a form and know what you're doing.

And that's so super important right now in particular. And I'm not trying to scare anybody. But I know the USPTO has already sent out fraud alerts. they've already shut down companies that are doing these online filing. They've sent some of these people to prison. As for attorneys involved in this, they're dealing with repercussions from that. And a lot of times, that's why I feel so bad. A lot of times it's not that they were trying to be fraudulent.

They just didn't know what they were doing. So know what you're doing. Come to this conference. Learn all about it. Learn all the nuances. And even if you don't get it right, there's a support system. All the time, every day, all throughout the day, we get attorneys calling us, hey, this is what's going on, what do you think?

Right. At least have somebody you can call instead of finding yourself into some kind of trouble with sanctions, your license at stake, or just the various things that are happening to attorneys that, you know, perceivably they're involved in fraud or I believe they just didn't know what they were doing. And I talked to enough attorneys that just don't understand this practice area. So spend a weekend learning about it. And then you might realize, oh, that's something fun.

I want to add that to my life on an ongoing basis. But if anything, come to Paris and get some good food and see beautiful art. Well, it's certainly a start. Artworks in Paris.com is where you want to go get all the information, all the details. So, Zen, anything else you'd like to add before I let you go? I would like to add that I hinted on it a little bit earlier. that this is a very lucrative practice area. But we are really looking to work with attorneys that are leading with the heart of service.

Like you really want to protect the creatives of the world without the creatives of the world. We don't have a song to sing or dance to. Neither do we have a device to listen to it. That's how important creatives are. So I'm looking for attorneys that want to join us in writing this new chapter, A new chapter for the legal profession of service, of heartfelt service. And yeah, there's a lot of money that can be made. So that will be icing the cake.

But I really want to speak to the heart of students and attorneys that have a heart to serve. Sit in your songwriters, authors, you know, all sorts of creatives out there that make our life beautiful, even fashion, right? Even fashion. So everyone, if you are hearing the description of you coming from Zen right now, make sure you go check out artworks in Paris.com. Get all the details and find out. Remember, this conference is in Paris, October 11th through October the 14th, 24th. So you have time to get that flight.

you don't have to worry about the hotel or food. You just need to get there and get there by October 11th at 6 p.m. So you can enjoy the evening networking event and go from there. So everyone go to Art Works in Paris for the International Law and IP conference. Thank you so much, Zem. It was really great learning about this conference. And I want to go. That's what I know.

And I'm definitely on the creative side, and I know exactly what you're saying. Creatives need attorneys who have that servant's heart and who can really help them to navigate all of the legal things that they need to know to protect that creative essence. And I think it's even more important now than ever since we are in this definitely gloat. global economy and we're in this global space where, you know, as an attorney, you can help someone in another country. And if I were a law student right now, I would definitely be saying, yeah, why not go to Paris, get the education credits, and get a taste of this service area in law. It just sounds phenomenal. So thank you so much. Thank you for having me. And you should come.

You're into copyright, right? Yeah, I need to come, trademarks and copyright, because I have some coming due right now. So everyone, artworks in Paris.com. Thank you so much. This is Dr. Tammy Patser. Go make it a beautiful day. Thanks for listening to Business Innovators Radio.

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