The Ella Project will host a copyright workshop on Zoom for performing artists about the process of copyrighting published and unpublished works. The free virtual seminar led by Mary Kate O’Neill, attorney and copyright specialist with the United States Copyright Office, will take place Thursday, August 19, at 2 p.m. Central.

Pre-registration is required by e-mailing [email protected] for the Zoom link. The workshop is open to all performing artists regardless of location.

O’Neill will discuss the importance of registration of both published and unpublished works, new changes in the eCo online registration system, and coordinating releases and registration dates. Time will be set aside to answer all questions.

O’Neill is a Chicago native who holds degrees from Valparaiso University (B.A. Music and Business, ’10) and Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles (’13). After law school, she worked as associate attorney for civil litigation firms in California and as a legal analyst for a health care policy association. She also studied international copyright law and taught English while living in France. O’Neill joined the Copyright Office in 2018 and works as a registration specialist in the performing arts division. Outside of the office, she volunteers in support of performing artists and plays piano and guitar.

The Ella Project provides pro bono legal assistance, arts business services and advocacy to New Orleans’ cultural community. For more information, visit here.