Covington’s Jeff Kosseff Co-Authors “Law for Media Startups”

Covington’s Jeff Kosseff Co-Authors “Law for Media Startups”

March 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC, March 11, 2015 — Covington’s Jeff Kosseff has co-authored “Law for Media Startups,” a 12-chapter web guide for entrepreneurs launching media ventures and educators teaching students how to do it. The guide, co-authored by J-Lab Executive Director Jan Schaffer, was published by City University of New York’s Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism.

This guide offers an introduction to the legal issues small digital news startups face as they set up their business operations, gather and report the news, protect their content, and market and support their news ventures. The issues addressed range from hiring freelancers and establishing organizational structures, to native advertising and marketing, to maintaining privacy policies and dealing with libel accusations.

“Every day, innovators are developing new ways to deliver news and content to consumers,” Mr. Kosseff said. “I hope this guide helps them identify the legal issues that they should be considering as they build their business models.”

Mr. Kosseff is a lawyer in Covington’s Communications & Media and Privacy & Data Security practice groups, where he represents and advises media and technology companies. His practice includes developing “Privacy by Design” programs for clients and advising on implementation, and advising clients on responses to potential data breaches, including compliance with notification requirements.

Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Kosseff was a reporter for The Oregonian, covering technology and Congress. He was a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting, and a recipient of the 2006 George Polk Award for national reporting. Mr. Kosseff is an adjunct professor of communications law at American University’s School of Communication. He also serves as co-chair of the Media Law Resource Center’s legislative affairs committee and on the boards of The Writer’s Center and Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma.

To read the full guide, click here.