New York Comic Con 2026 CLE Registration

NYCC Legal Masterclass Series
New York Comic Con presents In association with Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. And The National Academy of Continuing Legal Education

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Title: Defining the Author: Mitigating Legal Risk in AI-Generated Works
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM
River Pavilion Pro Stage 2

Course Description: 

This CLE program explores how the rapid advancement of AI tools—now capable of producing near market-ready comic art, scripts, and character designs—has heightened legal uncertainty around authorship, ownership, and infringement. Focusing on risk mitigation, the program analyzes the U.S. Copyright Office’s evolving human authorship framework, along with recent federal decisions that narrow protection for AI-assisted and machine-generated works.

Participants will examine how integrating AI into creative workflows can create gaps in the chain of title, complicate rights enforcement, and expose creators, publishers, and their counsel to avoidable liability. The program then shifts to practical strategies attorneys can implement immediately, including strengthening documentation protocols, structuring agreements to address AI inputs and outputs, navigating disclosure obligations, and developing internal policies designed to preserve protectable interests while reducing litigation risk in an increasingly hybrid creative environment.

This session is approved for 2.5 CLE credits of professional practice for NY (transitional and non-transitional) and 2.5 general credits for NJ.
 

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Title: From Script to Shelf: New Developments in Comic Book Publishing Law
Time: 12:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Room 1C03

Course Description: 

This omnibus CLE guides participants through the full modern comics publishing lifecycle—from initial script development to final distribution in retail markets. It examines the evolving legal framework governing creator–publisher relationships, including work-for-hire and hybrid authorship models, as well as ongoing disruptions in distribution channels and the growing influence of AI-driven tools across writing, illustration, editing, production, and marketing.

The program also explores the mounting business and regulatory pressures facing industry stakeholders, including First Amendment and censorship concerns, retailer and library content restrictions, heightened political scrutiny, and broader financial instability impacting creators, publishers, and vendors. Additional focus areas include rights management, royalty structures, market volatility, and the downstream implications of licensing for film, television, and consumer products.

Participants will leave with a comprehensive, practice-ready understanding of the legal, commercial, and cultural dynamics shaping today’s comic book publishing landscape.

This session is approved for 2.5 CLE credits of professional practice for NY (transitional and non-transitional) and 2.5 general credits for NJ.

Friday October 09, 2026

Title: Navigating Licensing Pitfalls in Media and Merch

Time: 2:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Room 1C03

Course Description: 

This CLE program takes a practical, problem-solving approach to the legal challenges that arise when comic book properties expand into film, television, and consumer product licensing. Through real-world scenarios and guided exercises, participants will work through common points of failure in licensing deals, including ambiguous rights grants, inconsistent approval provisions, gaps in the chain of title, misaligned royalty structures, and brand protection constraints.

The program focuses on identifying and avoiding the contractual vulnerabilities that frequently disrupt adaptation and merchandising opportunities. Attendees will examine how these issues arise in current industry practice and, more importantly, how to address them through precise drafting, thoughtful deal structuring, and proactive risk allocation.

Emphasis is placed on developing clear, enforceable agreements that align stakeholder expectations while preserving long-term value across multiple exploitation channels. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical toolkit for identifying and mitigating licensing risks, enabling them to more effectively advise clients and negotiate agreements in an increasingly complex cross-media landscape.

This session is approved for 2.5 CLE credits of professional practice for NY (transitional and non-transitional) and 2.5 general credits for NJ.

IMPORTANT INFO & HOW TO REGISTER: 

1. All courses include either a Professional Thursday Badge or a Professional 4-Day Badge. If you need a refund on your badge please review the “QUESTIONS” section below.
   
   


2. When checking out on the next page, you must provide your active Attorney Registration Number.
   
   


3. You may only register for one professional badge per application.  
   
   


4. A valid Professional Thursday or Professional 4-Day Ticket/Badge will grant access to Wednesday programming in the River Pavillion.
   
   


5. Activation is required for all NYCC 2026 tickets prior to entering the event. You can activate your tickets once you pick them up onsite at NYCC.io/Activate
   
   


6. Once CLE course registration has closed, no late applications will be accepted due to the limited number of Industry badges available.
   
   


7. CLE Courses require a Professional Badge/Ticket. If you have Fan Ticket/Badge (Single Day or 4-Day), please contact customer service for a refund. 

 
PLEASE NOTE: By applying for registration to either CLE course you are representing and warranting that you are a registered attorney in good standing at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Your eligibility for this course is subject to review and if you are deemed ineligible to complete this course, your course and badge will be refunded. Industry badges do not guarantee seating and do not include admission into any ticketed Special Events. Special Events tickets must be purchased separately.
 

QUESTIONS?

For questions related to CLE or course material, contact [email protected] 

For registration or refund questions, contact [email protected] with your original ticket/badge confirmation ready.