The IAEL Legal Update for Entertainment & Technology
Conference
The IAEL Legal Update for Entertainment & Technology
Speakers: Ryan McWhinnie (Senior Licensing Lawyer, Merlin Network), Götz Schneider-Rothhaar (Partner, SKW Schwarz), Faisal Daudpota (Partner, Daudpota International), Ben Foulston (Senior Associate, Clintons), Bianca Tillman (Associate, Dorsey & Whitney)
Co-chairs: Susan Abramovitch (Head of Entertainment & Sports Law, Gowling WLG), Peter Marx (Partner, MVVP)
This session is your front-row seat to the latest legal happenings in the entertainment/music/tech industries across the world. Once again, legal and industry experts will weigh in on the hottest legal topics that defined 2025 and will shape 2026. This year’s edition will cover the legal impact of AI, including decided judgments (e.g. on the application of the TDM copyright exception and generative AI) and settled and ongoing lawsuits against AI companies from the US and around the world, as well as the licensing deals being hashed out to authorize data mining of copyright-protected entertainment content. We’ll discuss the rising value of name, image and likeness (“NIL”) rights in the music industry, including recent novel legislative efforts to protect NIL (e.g. ELVIS act in Tennessee, Dutch and Danish proposals for legislation on deepfakes, trademark registrations for faces and artist/band names), as well as legal issues arising from the use of NIL of dead artists for avatar concerts and videos. Further, we’ll address the status of the Pelham II case, pending before the CJEU with regard to the notion of “pastiche” and the impact of the Belgian National Orchestra judgment of the CJEU.
Conference FAQ
We do not sell ADE Conference only or Day Passes. The only way to get access to the ADE Pro Conference is the ADE Pro Pass.
Tickets for the specialist sessions, such as ADE Lab and ADE Green can be found on the ticket page closer to the date of ADE 2026.
✓ Valid all five days
ADE Pro conference takes place from Wednesday through Saturday, but the ADE Pro Pass benefits go well beyond those four days. The ticket grants access to ADE’s full offering, including all conference programs as well as all ADE Festival and Arts & Culture events* — read on below to get an impression of everything included with your ADE Pro Pass.
✓ Full access to all conference keynotes, panels and locations
ADE Pro is the ultimate business and inspiration gathering for the electronic music industry. The four-day conference returns to live action at our iconic home base Felix Meritis and features dedicated programming at the forefront of our industry. In addition, ADE will also continue to host conference programs dedicated to young creators and aspiring professionals.
✓ Year round access to ADE Pro's networking platform & database
Get a head start on connecting with fellow music professionals and companies with the ADE Pro networking database, available throughout the year. The online networking tool enables you to find and connect with all ADE Pro delegates, showcase your business with a dedicated profile page, plan meetings during ADE and much more. Over 50.000 messages are being sent on the platform yearly, with new professional connections being made on the regular.
✓ Join dedicated networking events and sessions
With over 9.000 music professionals from around the globe gathering in Amsterdam, you’re almost guaranteed to find who you need. An abundance of networking events and opportunities with fellow ADE delegates and industry leaders provides an advantageous base for dealmaking and career advancement.
✓ Access to all official Business Hubs
Whether you’re planning a meeting with fellow delegates, looking for a comfortable spot to work or simply want to hang out between conference events, your ADE Pro Pass grants access to all of ADE’s official Business Hubs.
✓ Access to the complete ADE Festival and Arts & Culture program*
With the entirety of ADE Festival and ADE Arts & Culture accessible with the ADE Pro Pass, your ticket enables you to explore the full spectrum of electronic subgenres in over 200 of Amsterdam’s finest music and nightlife spaces — with 2.500+ artists performing at 1.000+ events during five days and nights.
* Limited capacity at high-demand venues – read more at our FAQ.
✓ Receive the official ADE 2025 Bag
Your ADE Pro Pass comes with the limited edition ADE 2025 Bag, an ADE Pro Pass exclusive included with your ticket.
Our conferences are accessible for all ages in general. Do note that when alcoholic beverages are served, access can be denied.
If you want to apply for ADE 2026, you can fill in the form here. If you're interested in contributing to ADE Pro or Lab, whether through a keynote, panel, workshop, or proposal for a relevant speaker or topic, we’re open to ideas with clear focus and industry value.
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