The third annual Protect Athens Music conference will be held Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. at the Melting Point at 295 E. Dougherty St.
It will address issues such as copyright and licensing, touring, how to run a record label, merchandising and myriad legal matters surrounding the music industry. Organized by the School of Law’s Sports and Entertainment Law Society and the Terry College of Business’ Music Business Program, this event is free and open to the public.
The conference will have sessions focusing on legal matters, business/digital sales and labels, and songwriters/touring musicians.
Conference panelists will include Patterson Hood, the Drive-By Truckers; Dorothy “Dottie” Alexander, Of Montreal; Julian Dorio, The Whigs; Alyssa DeHayes, Team Clermont publicity company; Corey Flegel, This Is American Music record label; Peniece LeGall, SESAC; Shawn Nolan, entertainment lawyer; Tommy Robinson, New West Records; and John P. Strohm, Loeb & Loeb attorneys, among others. Session moderators will be David Barbe, UGA Music Business Program director; Bertis E. Downs IV, former R.E.M. legal counsel and manager; and David E. Shipley, School of Law Georgia Athletic Association Professor.
On Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nuçi’s Space, there will be a free legal clinic where music-related questions can be posed to an attorney.