J. BRIAN BECKHAM
Geneva Switzerland • (011 41) 076 291 7839
brian.beckham [at] gmail.com • Admitted to practice: Virginia 2006
EXPERIENCE
Legal Staff, WIPO - Arbitration and Mediation Center
Geneva, Switzerland July 2007 to present
- Representation of WIPO policy positions related to ICANN's New gTLD Program, including written and in-person dialogue and partnership with key industry stakeholders through multiple years and iterations of relevant policy documents (ICANN’s New gTLD program foresees a previously unforeseen, unprecedented expansion of the internet Domain Name System).
- WIPO delegate to ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee.
- Key role in drafting and proposing an “eUDRP” initiative – which resulted in a paperless domain name case filing system adopted by ICANN’s Board.
- Trademark-based dispute resolution policy development for New gTLDs and concerning online trademark-based ADT options more generally, including supporting research, industry consultations, and related drafting.
- Managed UDRP domain name case docket, reviewed pleadings for legal and administrative compliance; legal analysis of published UDRP cases as part of a supervisory role of WIPO UDRP case managers.
- Acted as registrar liaison between ICANN and domain name case parties.
- Administered several multi-million dollar patent and IP/technology arbitration cases filed under the WIPO Arbitration Rules.
Attorney, Gammon & Grange, P.C.
McLean, VA June 2006 to June 2007
- Prosecuted U.S. trademark applications, examined and critiqued product specimens for suitable mark use and counseled clients re: same, coordinated and filed §8, 9, 15 maintenance filings before USPTO, researched and drafted Responses to USPTO Office Actions, evaluated potential conflicts against prior-registered marks.
- Drafted Purchase & Sale Agreements for key FCC clients’ radio station licenses, property and communication towers – negotiated same with outside counsel; examined and cleared title abstracts for related land purchases.
- Secured synch, master, and video licenses for multi-city stage-play; rendered legal opinion on adaptation licenses / fair-use doctrine for multi-CD project and negotiated related licenses with numerous publishers.
- Drafted client memo defining copyright ownership, licensing, and IP compensation for nationwide church network.
- Reviewed compensation data for key personnel at multi-million dollar exempt (non-profit) organizations and drafted Reasonable Compensation Analysis’ under Internal Revenue Code guidance; analyzed IP ownership for exempt organizations and drafted related IP Policy designed to foster creativity in compliance with Internal Revenue Code regulations.
Clerk, Gammon & Grange, P.C.
Intern, U.S. PTO, Trademark Examining Group
Alexandria, VA June 2005 to July 2005
- Analyzed applied-for marks, including legal research in support of trademark examining attorneys.
Digital Music & Licensing Relations, Soundies, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois July 2004 to May 2005
- Collected artist, writer, and publisher information for statutory mechanical licenses for CD re-issues for key client; coordinated royalty tracking and disbursement with Harry Fox Agency and independent publishers.
- Researched Internet music distribution outlets, prioritized opportunities to place Soundies’ catalog online.
- Evaluated and edited music licensing cases and treatises, organized Music Licensing course text book.
The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois
- Research Assistant, Adjunct Professor Kevin Parks (Pres. Soundies) June 2004 to July 2004
- Research Assistant, Professor Arthur J. Sabin June 2003 to May 2005
- Research Assistant, Professor Doris E. Long February 2004 to May 2005
- Note Taker, Exam Proctor, Records Office August 2003 to May 2005
PUBLICATIONS
- Past contributor: Internet Cases Blog
- 14 U. Balt. Intell. Prop. L.J. 151, Analyzing Forum Selection Clauses in Clickwrap Agreements
- 7 Colum. Sci. & Tech. L. Rev. 1, Production, Preservation, and Disclosure of Metadata
- 10 Va. J. L. & Tech. 4, Can the RIAA Survive Substantial Non-infringing Uses?
- 22 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 205, Intel v. Hamidi: Spam as Trespass to Chattels – Deconstruction of a Private Right of Action in California
EDUCATION
The John Marshall Law School,Chicago, Illinois May 2005
Joint J.D. and LL.M. (with honors) in Information Technology
- Solicitation / Lead Articles Editor: John Marshall Journal of Computer & Information Law
- INTA / Brand Names Education Foundation Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, 2005 (Trademark Appellate Advocacy)
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
B.A. Philosophy, Minor Political Science March 2001
- Thesis: “In Defense of Jury Nullification”
