Kurt's practice focuses on the areas of communications, intellectual property, and media law. He has represented a wide variety of clients, from major companies such as Scripps Networks, LLC and Procter & Gamble, Inc., to regional telecommunications companies, to freelance writers and local non-profit organizations. He is a member of the firm's Litigation and Corporate Departments.
Kurt has advised clients on media and IP issues, helping to ensure their interests stay protected in some of the fastest-changing areas of law. His role as adviser has encompassed: online and social media marketing rule compliance; social media and blogger policies; copyright matters including software licensing, co-authorship agreements, and work-for-hire agreements; fair use; Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) safe harbor compliance; issuing and responding to copyright takedown notices; responding to allegations and concerns of copyright and trademark infringement; wireless/wireline telephony and cable system regulatory compliance; personal and commercial defamation; open records/open meetings compliance; and privacy law.
As a litigator, Kurt has defended clients against allegations of defamation, trademark infringement, and cybersquatting, as well as a variety of commercial matters including telecommunications rate disputes, breaches of contract, breaches of fiduciary duties, partnership and ownership disputes, and subpoena responses. In 2011, Kurt argued and won a landmark Privacy Act case in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, securing his client's right to bring claims against the Department of Homeland Security for records violations.
Kurt has served as an adjunct professor at Xavier University teaching Media Law and Policy, and has published academic work related to broadcast content regulation, copyright, and internet law. While a student at the University of Michigan Law School, he served as a law clerk in the Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.
Memberships & Affiliations
· Xavier University, Adjunct Professor, Media Law and Policy (Spring 2010, Spring 2011)
· Media Bridges, Vice President, Board of Trustees (VP 2011-present, Member 2008-2011)
· Radio Free Queen City (WVQC-LPFM), Member, Board of Advisors
· The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, Co-Chair, High School Mock Trial Case Committee (Co-Chair, 2010-present; Member, 2009-2010)
· Ohio State Bar Association
· Cincinnati Bar Association
· Rothenberg and Vine Elementary Schools, Tutor (2008-2010)
Experience
Foreign Plaintiff v. U.S. Corporation
Foreign Plaintiff
Assisted foreign plaintiff in discovery of financial data from U.S. entities
Publications
August 2011, The 29th Annual Ohio High School Mock Trial 2012, Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, Contributing Writer and Editor
August 2010, The 28th Annual Ohio High School Mock Trial 2011, Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, Contributing Writer and Editor
August 2009, The 27th Annual Ohio High School Mock Trial 2010, Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, Contributing Writer
July 24, 2009, Contributing Writer, "Greater Cincinnati Human Trafficking Report", National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
December 17, 2007, "NOTE: Copyright and YouTube: Pirate's Playground or Fair Use Forum," 14 Mich. Telecomm. & Tech. L. Rev. 197 (2007), (reprinted in Thomson West's "Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook, 2008 edition" as "one of the best law review articles published within the last year") Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review
December 17, 2007, "NOTE: The FCC Complaint Process and 'Increasing Public Unease': Toward an Apolitical Broadcast Indecency Regime," 14 Mich. Telecomm. & Tech. L. Rev. 223 (2007) Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review
November 15, 2007, "The University of Michigan Wants You To 'Be Aware You're Uploading'" - The MTTLR Blog The University of Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review
November 14, 2007, "A Timeline of YouTube Litigation" - The MTTLR Blog Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review: The MTTLR Blog
September 1, 2007, "This Land Is Not Your Land: Second Life, CopyBot, and the Looming Question of Virtual Property Rights," 9 Tex. Rev. Ent. & Sports L. 141 (2007).
Presentations
April 2, 2012, "Evolving Intellectual Property Rights and Issues with Digital Media in Sports and Entertainment," Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Panelist
January 10, 2012, "Entertainment Law Basics: What Should I Be Aware Of?" CincyIP Seminar
November 17, 2011, "Licenses, Takedowns, and Seizures: Online Legal Issues in the Sports Industry," Northern Kentucky University College of Business, "Sports Legal Environment" class, Guest Lecturer
September 20, 2011, Presenter, "Overview of Copyright Law," ArtsWave
September 20, 2011, Presenter, "Introduction to Online Marketing Regulation," ArtsWave
August 30, 2011, Presenter, "Arts 101: Introduction to Copyright and Trademark," ArtsWave
March 12, 2011, Interviewee, "The Ohio Channel Broadcast," OCLRE High School Mock Trial State Championship 2011
September 27, 2010, Presenter, "2010 High School Mock Trial Case Presentation," Ohio Center for Law-Related Education 2010 Law & Citizenship Conference
September 27, 2010, Presenter, "Free Speech and Technology," Ohio Center for Law-Related Education 2010 Law & Citizenship Conference
September 27, 2010, Presenter, "Who's Really Talking? The Everyday Impact of Media Ownership Regulations," Ohio Center for Law-Related Education 2010 Law & Citizenship Conference
January 15, 2010, Panelist, Screening of PBS Independent Lens "Copyright Criminals", Media Bridges
October 5, 2009, Presenter, "Free Speech and Technology," Ohio Center for Law-Related Education Law & Citizenship Conference
October 2, 2009, Moderator, "Sexting" Panel, Ohio State Bar Association Law & Media Conference
April 22, 2009, Guest Lecturer, "Overview of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and Overview of Trademark Law," Xavier University Media Law & Policy Class
March 30, 2009, Guest Lecturer, "FCC Regulation of Political Broadcast Content," Xavier University Media Law & Policy Class