CONTACT US
Home > Browse by topic > Copyright

Copyright Expert Witnesses

Copyright disputes now involve music catalogs, software platforms, film and television libraries, publishing rights, digital content distribution, and the data used to train AI systems, and the financial stakes have grown accordingly. Record labels, publishers, and songwriters litigate musical plagiarism and sampling claims, software companies contest whether competing products copied protected code or structure, and studios and distributors pursue unauthorized distribution and anti-circumvention violations. Licensing disputes arise over the scope of rights in catalogs, merchandise, and digital platforms, while acquirers and lenders question the ownership and value of copyrighted assets. In each matter, the central questions are what protectable expression exists, whether it was copied or used beyond authorization, and what that use was worth.

A copyright expert addresses those questions through discipline-specific analysis, whether musicological comparison of melody, harmony, and rhythm, source code and structure comparison for software, or examination of textual, visual, and audiovisual works. That analysis filters out unprotectable elements such as common musical devices, functional code, and sc�nes � faire to focus on protectable expression and the degree of similarity. Industry experts then explain licensing customs, royalty structures, and distribution practices to establish what an authorized use would have cost or what profits are attributable to the infringement. Those findings support liability and damages, including actual damages, profits, and reasonable license fees, and give counsel a rigorous basis for rebutting opposing experts who overstate similarity or apply inappropriate valuation benchmarks.

Copyright disputes require experts whose technical and industry knowledge matches the type of work and market involved. Members of our copyright network have worked for organizations such as the U.S. Department of Justice, Broadcast Music, Inc., Bell Laboratories, NBA Properties, and the worldwide anti-piracy division of the Motion Picture Association of America, and some have been retained by the Federal Judicial Center to teach copyright law to federal judges. The experts we present include musicologists and music theorists who have testified on music copyright infringement and plagiarism, a music marketing and sales veteran who has testified 32 times on contract interpretation and rights, an entertainment lawyer who has testified on movie financing customs, and software and information technology specialists experienced in copyright, trade secret, and software failure disputes. Drawing on more than 75,000 expert searches for litigators, Round Table Group can help you identify the copyright expert your matter requires. Let us help you find the right fit by calling us at (202) 908-4500.

Kinds of Cases We Work On

Round Table Group helps our clients find a wide variety of Copyright expert witnesses for cases like:

01

Software Copyright Infringement Trial Testimony Case

A software company sued a former development partner alleging its new enterprise platform copied substantial portions of source code from a previously licensed application. We identified experts with experience in software copyright analysis, source code comparison methodology, and software architecture forensics. The expert's line-by-line code comparison confirmed substantial verbatim copying, supporting the plaintiff's case at trial.
02

Publishing House Sues Over E-Book Rights

A publishing house sued a digital distribution platform for continuing to sell e-book editions of a bestselling title after the underlying licensing agreement covering digital rights had expired. We identified experts with experience in publishing rights licensing, digital distribution platform auditing, and copyright compliance standards. The expert's sales-log analysis confirmed continued unauthorized distribution, anchoring the publisher's damages claim.
03

Music Sync Licensing Agreement Breach Dispute

A music rights holder sued an advertising agency for using a licensed track in a broader campaign than the sync licensing agreement's defined media scope permitted. We identified experts with experience in music synchronization licensing, media rights valuation, and entertainment industry licensing standards. The expert's scope-of-use analysis confirmed the breach, anchoring the rights holder's damages claim.
04

Film Distribution Rights Territory Dispute Arises

A film distributor sued a streaming platform for making a licensed title available in territories excluded under their distribution agreement. We identified experts with experience in film distribution licensing, territorial rights administration, and media industry compliance auditing. The expert's geo-availability audit confirmed the unauthorized territories, supporting the distributor's damages claim.
05

Architectural Plans Copyright Reuse Dispute Filed

An architecture firm sued a developer for reusing its copyrighted building plans on a second project after their design services contract had ended without a renewed license. We identified experts with experience in architectural copyright standards, building design documentation, and construction industry licensing practices. The expert's plan comparison confirmed substantial reuse of the protected design, supporting the firm's infringement claim.
06

Database Compilation Copyright Infringement Claim

A data analytics company sued a competitor alleging its proprietary industry database compilation had been copied and repackaged into a competing commercial product. We identified experts with experience in database compilation copyright standards, data structure forensics, and analytics industry practices. The expert's structural comparison confirmed substantial overlap in the database's selection and arrangement, supporting the plaintiff's infringement claim.
07

Video Game Asset Licensing Breach Dispute

A game development studio sued a licensee for incorporating licensed character assets into a broader range of merchandise than the licensing agreement's defined product categories permitted. We identified experts with experience in video game asset licensing, merchandising rights administration, and intellectual property compliance auditing. The expert's product-category review confirmed the breach, anchoring the studio's damages claim.
08

Textbook Publisher Sues Over Unauthorized Reprints

A textbook publisher sued a course-materials distributor after discovering unauthorized reprints of a copyrighted textbook were being sold to university bookstores well beyond the licensed print run. We identified experts with experience in academic publishing rights, print licensing auditing, and educational content distribution standards. The expert's print-run reconstruction confirmed the overage, anchoring the publisher's damages claim.
09

Advertising Jingle Copyright Infringement Claim Arises

A jingle composer sued an advertising agency alleging a new campaign's musical theme copied substantial melodic elements from a previously licensed composition beyond the scope of the original engagement. We identified experts with experience in musical composition analysis, copyright infringement methodology, and advertising music licensing. The expert's melodic comparison confirmed substantial similarity, supporting the composer's infringement claim.
10

Broadcast Rights Agreement Breach Dispute Filed

A sports league sued a broadcast network for redistributing licensed game footage to a streaming subsidiary outside the scope of their broadcast rights agreement. We identified experts with experience in broadcast rights licensing, sports media distribution, and media industry contract compliance. The expert's distribution-channel audit confirmed the unauthorized redistribution, supporting the league's damages claim.

Here are a few of our favorite Copyright Expert Witnesses:

California Copyright, Publishing, Sales Expert #429

I have 36 years of experience, and specialize in the field of music research, marketing and sales with specific knowledge in the areas of sales and promotion, direct selling and contracts. I have published on such topics as beyond selling, increasing market penetration and global media protection. I have testified 32 times on topics such as theft of proof, contract interpretation and rights of authority. I have successfully marketed unknown product in the music industry elevating the project to international recognition.

 

California Copyright, Analysis, Technology Expert #17036

I have 27 years of experience, and specialize in the field of music with specific knowledge in the areas of music theory, analysis and interactive technologies. I have published on such topics as the music of Franz Schubert, analysis of tonal and other music and uses of technology in music teaching and learning. I have testified on music copyright infringement. I revived a moribund music department in a highly selective liberal arts college, bringing new vigor and purpose to the department’s faculty and students.

 

New Jersey Authorships, Printing, Copyright Expert #18377

I have 24 years of experience in the field of intellectual history, with specific knowledge of history of authorship, reading, and publishing. I have published on such topics as the history of reading and the history of publishing.

 

New York Digital, Media, Copyright Expert #19680

I have 9 years of experience, and specialize in the field of music with specific knowledge in the areas of composition/songwriting, technology and copyright. I have published on such topics as electronic music, technology in teaching and learning and interdisciplinary education. My interests are in a diverse range of interconnected fields. In the last few years I have given talks on topics in electronic music, popular music, technology, higher education, and physics. I have also led faculty development seminars on many topics, including audio, music notation, video editing, 2D animation, and others.

 

Ohio Music Theory, Copyright Expert #20136

I have 30 years of experience and specialize in the field of music theory, with specific knowledge of musical plagiarism, copyright issues and faculty tenure issues. I have published on such topics as modern music, computer music and politics in music. I have testified on sexual harassment and graduate student grievances.

 

Your Case Deserves The Best Copyright Expert Witnesses

Registered icon

The right expert witnesses and consulting experts can make your case. That’s why we have spent so many hours over the past quarter century making sure our clients have just the right expert team — whether one expert or many, early-stage advice or expert reports and testimony. Across over 50,000 expert search assignments, we have honed a unique, customized approach to identifying, analyzing and connecting with expert talent so you can focus on winning your case.

LET US HELP YOU

California Programming, Copyright, Database Expert #22669

I have 25 years of experience in the field of information technology, with specific knowledge of software design, programming and databases.

 

Copyright, Domain Name, Dispute Expert #22961

I have 20 years of experience, and specialize in the field of law with specific knowledge in the areas of intellectual property (IP), internet and unfair competition. I have testified on China IP practice and Chinese law.

 

New Jersey Copyright, Patent, Software Expert #23849

I have 10 years of experience, and specialize in the field of computer science with specific knowledge in the areas of systems, security and networking. I have published on such topics as content distribution networks, wide-area and enterprise network services and security protocols. I designed and personally operate a content distribution network accessed by several million people every day, in continuous operation for 8 years.

 

Ohio Composition, Copyright, Theory Expert #24464

I have 36 years of experience and specialize in the field of music, with specific knowledge of music administration, music theory and music composition. I have published on such topics as music composition and music theory.

 

New York Copyright, Advertising Expert #27181

I have 26 years of experience and specialize in the field of intellectual property law, with specific knowledge of trademark, copyright, unfair competition, advertising law and marketing law. I have published on such topics as trademarks and unfair competiton.

 

Copyright, Registration Expert #28755

I have 10 years of experience, and specialize in the field of Intellectual Property with specific knowledge in the areas of trademarks, patents and copyrights. I have published on such topics as author, research and collaboration.

 

California Wireless Technology, Copyright Expert #30713

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of semiconductor technology with specific knowledge in the areas of patent defense, technology related to wireless, video, graphics and audio. I have published on such topics as radio frequency wireless technology, personal computer multimedia and digital signal processing. I have testified on patent infringement damages, intellectual property original inventions.

 

Texas Trademark, Copyright, License Expert #31405

I have 14 years of experience, and specialize in the field of law with specific knowledge in the areas of business, international trade and intellectual property. I have published on such topics as intellectual property protection and enforcement, managing risk in international transactions and import and export regulation. Have also been an adjunct professor of international business transactions and international trade law for 7 years, and I am a licensed US Customs broker.

 

Patents, Copyright, Privacy Expert #34661

I have 26 years of experience in the field of intellectual property and technology law, with specific knowledge of patents, copyright, and trademarks. I have published on such topics as intellectual property law, computer and internet law, and computer security law.

 

Virginia Computer Music, Copyright Expert #34879

I have 30 years of experience in the field of music, with specific knowledge in the areas of music composition and computer music. I have published on such topics as music compositions and Debussy. I have received international critical acclaim for music composition.

 

New Jersey Copyright, Telecom, Patent Expert #37949

I have 26 years of experience, and specialize in the field of telecom standards with specific knowledge in the areas of standadization policies, procedures and intellectual property.

 

New Jersey Plagiarism, Copyright Expert #38630

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of music and the music business with specific knowledge in the areas of publishing, recorded music and live performance. I have published on such topics as the recorded music busines, every genre of music and music in historical perspective. I have appeared numerous times on television, radio and in movies discussing music, the music business and popular culture.

 

New York First Amendment, Copyright Expert #43583

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of media communication with specific knowledge in the areas of media law and policy, First Amendment and new media technology policy. I have published on such topics as HDTV policy, public access to media and First Amendment issues.

 

Ohio Trademark, Copyright, Film Expert #45261

I have 12 years of experience, and specialize in the field of copyright, trademark, computer and software law with specific knowledge in the areas of copyright, trademark and computer, software, and entertainment. I have published on such topics as copyirght, trademark and entertainment law. I have testified on copyright, trademark and computer software licenses ssues. I have been named as an expert, written a report, testified, and consulted as an expert on cases. I have also signfiicant expereince litigating copyright and trademark cases.

 

California Motion Pictures, Copyright Expert #46411

I have 33 years of experience, and specialize in the field of entertainment law with specific knowledge in the areas of movies, television and independent production. I have published on such topics as entertainment law, financing and distributing independent films and deal making. I have testified 7 times on topics such as movie financing, customs and practices and reasonable compensation.

 

California Patents, Testing, Copyright Expert #47013

I have 32 years of experience, and specialize in the field of semiconductors with specific knowledge in the areas of design, software and process. I have published on such topics as read channel technology, random access memory testing and design for test. I have testified on Darlington pair amplification.

 

California Security, Copyright, Patent Expert #47298

I have 35 years of experience, and specialize in the field of computer security with specific knowledge in the areas of operating systems, access control and encryption. I have published on such topics as Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS), separation kernels and high-assurance provably secure systems and architectures. I am known world-wide in my area of expertise

 

Copyright, Songwriting, Theory Expert #51390

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of music with specific knowledge in the areas of popular music, musicology and music theory. I have published on such topics as analysis of popular music, minimalism in music and tone and timbre in popular music. I have testified on copyright infringement. My class on “History and Practice of Electronic Dance Music” was the first of its kind. It won an award for “Best College Pop Music Class.”

 

Maryland Software Failure, Copyright, ERP Expert #51798

I have 30 years experience, and specialize in the field of information technology with specific knowledge in the areas of software project failure, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation and patent infringement.

 

Put Our Copyright Expert Network to Work for You

Registered icon

Our huge network of experts – eminent university professors and practitioners who have achieved renown as thought leaders in their fields – combined with unparalleled research capabilities puts the experts you need at your disposal when and where you need them.

If you’re a litigator or general counsel, we want to put this network to work for you and your clients. Let us know how we can help by calling us at (202) 908-4500 or filling out the form on this page. We’re so confident you’ll love what we do that unless you retain an expert we present there’s no charge!

LET US HELP YOU

Questions Attorneys Ask About Copyright Expert Witnesses:

As early as possible, because the expert's analysis of what is protectable and how similar the works are often shapes pleadings, discovery, and early dispositive motions. In software disputes, early engagement helps frame source code review protocols, and in music and media cases it helps counsel preserve recordings, drafts, and creation records. Damages and licensing experts should be involved early enough to guide discovery of revenue, licensing, and distribution data.
Search again

GET STARTED FINDING THE RIGHT EXPERT WITNESS

Spend your time working with your experts, not searching for them! We're here to de-stress the process of having a great expert witness team so that it’s easy to have the right experts every time. We'll conduct a quick but thorough search and deliver a roster of top candidates for you to review. There's no charge for the custom search — you pay only the hourly rate if you retain one of our experts.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Or call 202-908-4500 or email us.

Related topics

Antitrust
Damages
E-commerce
Film
Intellectual Property
Internet
Journalism
Patent
Programming Languages
Rhetoric
Television
Title Insurance
Trademark
Valuation