National Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition

Bi-Annual Competition

In order to make more room for other entertainment law opportunities on campus, the Pepperdine Caruso Law Moot Court Board has decided to transition our annual National Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition to a bi-annual format. The next competition will be held in the fall of 2023. Competition registration and requirements will be uploaded closer to the competition date. If you have any questions or concerns, email Student Life and Advocacy Coordinator hannah.neighbors@pepperdine.edu.

Competitor Information

Competition Schedule

Rules

NELC Problem

Brief Grading Scoresheet

Order Granting Cert.

FAQs

Brief Scores

It has come to our attention that we inadvertently shared the bench brief on our competition page. In the interest of fairness, we will be publishing all of the questions listed in the bench brief. We will also be modifying the questions on the version of the bench brief we do send out to the judges.

Sample Questions for Petitioner Issue

1. Should this court provide higher protection for authors and their works? Or should the court ensure that enough ideas are available for the public in order to not hinder creativity?

2. According to the evidence, the two works share several similar themes. But, isn't the main superseding theme in both works significantly different?

3. Because the two works share the same premise, is it not surprising that they share similar plot elements and sequence of events?

4. Was the court correct in applying the 9th Circuit's Extrinsic/Intrinsic Test? Should a different test be applied?

Sample Question for Respondent Issue

1. One of the main reasons for copyright law is to protect an author's expression of ideas. Why should this court not favor the protection of an author's ideas and instead favor the protection of ideas available to the public?

2. Based on the evidence, the two works share several of the same themes. Why should this court base its decision on the fact that they share a different main/central theme?

3. Why should this court look not only at the similarities between the two works but the differences as well? Aren't similarities more important than differences?

We look forward to seeing you online with us. If you have any questions, please contact Hannah Neighbors at 310.506.4654 or hannah.neighbors@pepperdine.edu.