Panelist, "The 'Combo Theory': the Protectability of Non-Protectable Expression," Copyright Society of the USA, Los Angeles

The panel discussed the question which arises in nearly every copyright infringement action: whether the arrangement, selection and coordination of non-protectable expression can itself rise to the level of protectable expression (the "Combo Theory") so as to defeat summary judgment and prevail at trial. The panel discussed the "Combo Theory" and related issues in music cases, literary cases, photography cases, etc. and discussed legal and expert issues and lessons learned from summary judgment motions, from the trials themselves, and from their related appellate decisions.