Among the countless casualties of COVID-19, many
much-anticipated events had to be canceled. Instead, some of the
world's largest entertainment industry events are becoming
virtual experiences.
Comic Con, which boasts over 135,000 annual attendees, announced that its
in-person convention will be replaced in 2020 by a virtual
experience. Lollapalooza, an annual music festival in Chicago,
will also be virtual this summer. Even the venerable Cannes
Film Festival has moved online.
These virtual formats pose new legal challenges, however,
including cybersecurity threats, consumer privacy policies, and
music licensing.
Challenge 1: Cybersecurity
Many massive, in-person events begin with the same
safeguards—a meandering security line, complete with metal
detectors and bag inspections. In a virtual environment, there are
no such protective measures. Instead, event planners must consider
the issue of cybersecurity, especially given the increased number of cyber-attacks
