Axel aus der Mühlen Memorial Lecture on International Law
Practical Implications of Traditional Cultural Expression and Cultural Heritage Laws
The Los Angeles Copyright Society invites you to a timely and provocative discussion on Traditional Cultural Expression (TCE) laws and how they are increasingly shaping film and television production. The discussion will focus on clearance issues with TCEs and cultural heritage.
As legal protections for cultural symbols, designs, and expressions continue to expand worldwide, creators and studios face new and often unexpected risks. What happens when a production uses the Mexican flag without permission, or when a traditional Indigenous design (DID) appears on the cover of a magazine or in promotional materials? Are these creative choices, legal violations, or both?
This program will explore real-world examples like these to unpack how TCE laws intersect with copyright, trademark, publicity rights, and international law—and what they mean for filmmakers, producers, studios, and legal teams navigating today’s global content landscape.
Join LACS for an engaging conversation on how cultural expression, creative freedom, and legal compliance collide—and how to navigate these issues before they become costly mistakes.
The discussion will be moderated by Scott Martin, a consultant and advisor on intellectual property, artificial intelligence, and related challenges with Aspen IP Consulting. Scott brings extensive experience helping media and technology companies understand emerging legal frameworks at the intersection of culture, creativity, and innovation.
Scott also serves as registered WIPO Neutral with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in Geneva, Switzerland. Scott was Deputy General Counsel & Executive Vice President of Intellectual Property at Paramount Pictures from 1992-2025, where he oversaw intellectual property, rights & research, and market access issues. His teams covered rights acquisitions, production clearances, distribution and market access challenges, content protection, litigation, live-stage and themed entertainment, and global intellectual property policy. He also led the Studio Operations legal team which handled operational aspects of the historic Paramount studio lot in Hollywood.
Scott served as a copyright law consultant with the U.S. State Department in Estonia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Lithuania.
Scott holds undergraduate degrees from Skidmore College and the Université de Paris (L’Institut d’Études Politiques), an M.A. in International Relations and a J.D. from American University, and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from Columbia University. He studied human rights law at Kings College, London, resulting in a published study on non-refoulement of refugees.
Kiyoshi Tsuru is the founding partner & director of TMI Law. Kiyoshi is a leading lawyer specialized in intellectual property, particularly in the fields of innovation and cyberspace, domain name dispute resolution, protection of copyright in the digital environment, software protection, patents, geographical indications, electronic transactions related to intellectual property rights, and arbitration.
Kiyoshi has played a significant role in shaping the legal conversation around the protection of traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and folklore, especially as these issues intersect with the creative industries, branding, and global commerce. His work frequently addresses the legal and ethical challenges arising from the use of cultural symbols, designs, and expressions in media, fashion, publishing, and entertainment.
He has represented and advised a wide range of clients, including multinational companies, cultural institutions, and governmental and non-governmental organizations, on compliance with Mexico’s evolving legal framework for traditional cultural expression and related rights. In addition to his practice, Kiyoshi is a frequent speaker at international conferences and has contributed to discussions and publications on intellectual property, cultural heritage, and emerging legal regimes.
Adam Moxon Simpson is a Sydney-based litigation and commercial law specialist with deep expertise in intellectual property, media, entertainment and arts law. He is a Director of Simpsons Solicitors, where he leads the firm’s Dispute Resolution group and has played a central role in shaping its market-leading practice.
The firm advises regularly on traditional cultural expression and cultural heritage issues. Adam works with the indigenous Anindilyakwa community in Australia's Northern Territory as an Independent Trustee of the substantial Anindilyakwa Mining Trust and Director of the Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation towards the community's goal of balancing traditional cultural connection and integration with broader Australia.
Adam is widely recognised by independent legal directories for his outstanding work in entertainment, copyright and intellectual property litigation. His experience spans high-profile matters across film and television, publishing, games, music, museums and galleries, where he provides strategic, commercially grounded advice and advocacy.
Over his career, Adam has acted for major global and national clients in complex disputes and advisory matters, including representation of Netflix in Copyright Tribunal proceedings, copyright and trade mark litigation for music and publishing rights holders, and advisory work for government agencies and cultural institutions.
Adam is admitted as a barrister and solicitor in both Australia and the High Court of New Zealand and regularly works with U.S and European companies and attorneys, reflecting his broad jurisdictional experience.
Shane Simpson AM is a distinguished Sydney-based lawyer recognised nationally and internationally for his contributions to intellectual property, arts, cultural heritage, and entertainment law. He is Special Counsel at Simpsons Solicitors, the firm he founded in 1986 to provide specialist legal services to the creative, cultural and technology sectors.
Shane’s practice spans a broad range of legal issues affecting artists, cultural institutions, museums, galleries, archives, and media organisations. He has acted as a trusted advisor and consultant to governments, corporate clients, not-for-profit organisations and professional associations across Australia and New Zealand.
A prolific author and lecturer, Shane has written and edited numerous books and articles on the intersection of law and arts practice, including Music Business, The Visual Artist and the Law in Australia, Collections Law and Ethics: Galleries; Libraries, Museums, Archives, and other foundational texts in arts and intellectual property law.
In recognition of his service to the law and to the arts, Shane was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2011. He has also led significant governmental inquiries, including reviews into copyright collecting societies and the protection of movable cultural heritage (Borders of Culture) helping to shape public policy in these areas.
Beyond his legal practice, Shane has played an active leadership role in many cultural organisations. He founded the Arts Law Centre of Australia to expand access to legal advice for artists and has served on the boards of major institutions such as the National Library of Australia, Australian National Maritime Museum, Museums and Galleries NSW, the New Zealand Film Commission and the NSW Film & Television Office, among others. He is also Patron of several cultural trusts and foundations supporting the arts community.
Shane’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to strengthening the creative sector through legal expertise, institutional leadership, and advocacy for the value of culture and creativity in society.
This event is eligible for 1.0 California MCLE credit.
