Newark, NJ, February 7, 2007 Lyle Preslar, a third-year student at Rutgers School of Law-Newark and a former music industry executive, is one of five winners of the national Grammy Foundation Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Competition. Preslars winning essay concerns the copyright infringement lawsuit filed by the Recording Industry Association of America against XM Satellite Radio. His analysis of the claims in the case highlights conflicts in U.S. copyright law that ultimately only Congress can settle.
Intellectual property is one of the most competitive and vital fields in the law today, said Dean Stuart L. Deutsch, and we are very proud that Lyle Preslars astute consideration of copyright protection has been recognized by the Grammy Foundation. Further, as a law school that is especially welcoming of students with significant work experience, we are delighted to see Lyles successful application of his Rutgers-Newark legal education to his long-time interest in the music business.
Preslar launched a career in music at the age of 17 as a founder, guitarist, and songwriter for the punk band, Minor Threat. The group, frequently recognized as one of the best punk bands, has sold more than one million records since its breakup in 1983. Preslar received his B.A. from Georgetown University in 1988, after which he worked as an artist manager, booking agent, and paralegal in Washington, DC and New York. He then began a career as a music industry executive, working for Virgin Records, EMI, Elektra Records, and Sire Records in A&R, marketing, and label management.
Preslar is particularly grateful for the constant support and assistance of Rutgers Clinical Professor of Law John R. Kettle III, who teaches Copyright & Trademark, Intellectual Property, and Entertainment Law.
The Grammy Foundation contest, co-sponsored by the American Bar Association, invites law students from across the country to research, analyze, and submit essays regarding important legal issues facing the industry.
Preslar will be honored at a special luncheon for the writing competition winners that will be held in Beverly Hills on Feb. 9. More than 400 entertainment attorneys, law students, and music industry professionals will be attendance. His prizes also include round-trip transportation and a ticket to the Grammy Awards show and the MusiCares Person of the Year dinner.