Tim's Travails

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September 11 2026

Tim's Travails
Tim's Travails
Ep17 Tim's Travails: This month we interview Keith Kupferschmid – Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Alliance
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September 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer’s podcast/video show Tim interviews Keith Kupferschmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Alliance.

Today’s Topic: Getting inside the practice of modernizing copyright law

About our guest: Keith Kupferschmid is President and CEO of the Copyright Alliance, a position he has held since 2015. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Copyright Alliance’s operations—including strategy, government affairs, communications, membership, and liaising with boards and committees.

Kupferschmid’s extensive work on the Hill has contributed to modernizing copyright law, culminating in the enactment of the Music Modernization Act (MMA), the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act), and the Protecting Lawful Streaming Act (PLSA), among others. He has also raised the profile of the Copyright Alliance within the creator community and strived to garner additional rights and protections for creators across the country through education, advocacy initiatives, and speaking opportunities. Kupferschmid has testified before Congress and various federal and state government agencies on key copyright issues, has held leadership positions in the American Bar Association (ABA) and American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), serves on the boards of Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA) and the U.S. Intellectual Property Alliance (USIPA), and was selected to be a member of the Library of Congress’ Copyright Public Modernization Committee (CPMC).

Before joining the Copyright Alliance, Kupferschmid served as the General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Intellectual Property for the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) for 16 years. Prior to that, he worked at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner; the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; and the U.S. Copyright Office. Learn more: copyrightalliance.org


Photos of Tim by AnnaGibbs.com

About Tim’s Travails: In this podcast/video series, IP attorney and author Tim Trainer introduce us to experts around the country who have insight into the law, international trade, and more, to help us better understand our world in 2025 and beyond. Tim, himself, fits the bill for he worked for three decades for the US government and private law firms focusing on international trade, and has developed a deep understanding of global economics and politics. Writing books is his passion.

The author of seven books as of 2025, he has penned several non-fiction tomes, including his first book, Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights; the 15th edition was published in 2020. Thomson Reuters’ Aspatore Books published Tim’s next title in 2015, Potato Chips to Computer Chips: The War on Fake Stuff.  Fiction was a genre he always wanted to try. In 2017, Pendulum Over the Pacific was released by Joshua Tree Publishing. “This political intrigue story is set in Tokyo and Washington, D.C., and centers on trade tensions between the U.S. and Japan in the late 1980s,” Tim explains.

In 2023, his first series hit bookstores: “The China Connection.” In December 2024, he followed it with “The China Factor.” Coming in the Fall of 2026 is “The China Dilemma.” Learn all about Tim and his books: TimothyTrainer.com.

Welcome to the podcast of IP attorney and author Tim Trainer. For more than three decades, Tim focused on intellectual property issues for government agencies and in the private sector; his assignments have taken him to 60 countries around the world.

On this podcast/video show: Tim interviews fellow attorneys and other experts who help us better understand our world in 2025 and beyond. From the implications of counterfeiting to the impact of the Trump administration on global trade, you won’t want to miss an episode!

About Tim: Writing books has always been his passion. Over the years, Tim penned non-fiction tomes, including his first book, Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights; the 15th edition was published in 2020. Thomson Reuters’ Aspatore Books published Tim’s next title in 2015, Potato Chips to Computer Chips: The War on Fake Stuff. In April 2017 he published The Fortunate Son, which recounts the parallel lives of his experience as “an army brat” and a group of Vietnam veterans who intersect decades after the war. Tim says, “If you’ve ever been in the military or part of a military family, you’ll know that we all are bound together. For those who find the military to be foreign and unknown, our story may help you to understand why it binds so many together.”

Fiction was a genre he wanted to try. In 2017, Pendulum Over the Pacific, was released by Joshua Tree Publishing. “This political intrigue story is set in Tokyo and Washington, D.C., and centers on trade tensions between the U.S. and Japan in the late 1980s,” Tim explains. In 2023, his first series hit bookstores: The China Connection, followed in December 2024 with The China Factor.

Stay tuned for more episodes on InkandescentRadio.com and Inkandescent.tv, and of course, log in regularly for new blog entries and other information on Tim’s website, TimothyTrainer.com.

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All Episodes
Friday, September 11th, 2026

Ep17 Tim’s Travails: This month we interview Keith Kupferschmid – Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Alliance

September 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show Tim interviews Keith Kupferschmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Alliance.

Today's Topic: Getting inside the practice of modernizing copyright law

About our guest: Keith Kupferschmid is President and CEO of the Copyright Alliance, a position he has held since 2015. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Copyright Alliance’s operations—including strategy, government affairs, communications, membership, and liaising with boards and committees. read more...

Click here to listen to the podcast!

Monday, August 10th, 2026

Ep16 Tim’s Travails: This month we interview journalist and children’s book author Karen Leggett Abouraya

August 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show we talk about the art of writing books for kids and adults with journalist and children's book author Karen Leggett Abouraya

Today's Topic: What it means to write well!

Tim asks:

How did you go from being a broadcast journalist to writing children's books? Your book talks about the similarities among all people — whether they live in New York or Egypt. What inspired you to tackle this topic? What do you want kids around the world to know based on this story? The book is for your grandson. How does he feel about being featured? What are you working on now? About our guest: Karen Leggett Abouraya was surrounded by writing and books in her youth. Her father was a journalist and her mother a school librarian. Karen is an award-winning broadcast journalist, as she worked in the field for more than two decades. She began reviewing and discussing children’s books on ABC WMAL Radio in Washington, D.C. She has also reviewed children’s books and interviewed authors for the Washington Post, New York Times, the Baltimore Sun, Children’s Literature, Washington Parent and others. She is a widely published freelance author and actively involved in disability advocacy in her home state of Maryland. Karen graduated from Brown University (international relations). Karen has received a long list of awards for her books (e.g., Children's Africana Book Awards for Best Books for Young Children, California Reading Association Eureka Silver Honor Award, Middle East Studies Association Best Picture Book) and journalism (e.g., Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association, Education Writers Association). Learn more: karenleggettabouraya.com read more...

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Wednesday, July 1st, 2026

Ep15 Tim’s Travails: This month we interview Elaine Church at the Semester at Sea program — for grownups!

July 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show we meet

Today's Topic: A Semester at Sea — for grownups

About our guest: A former principal of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. (PWC), Elaine Church spent her career 27-year working on Tax Quality and Risk Management, as well as tax policy and compliance issues. She educated clients on tax shelter regulations. Previously, she served as a legislative attorney with the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

Before retiring, her travel interests merged with her involvement with Semester at Sea. With multiple trips and continued interest in education, Elaine's involvement with the Semester at Sea program includes service on the Alumni Association Advisory Committee and the Alumni Association Board of Directors. read more...

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Thursday, June 4th, 2026

Ep14 Tim’s Travails: This month we raise a glass with wine industry expert Elyse Kudo, Vice President of the Spire Collection by Jackson Family Wines

June 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show we meet a wine expert who gives us insights into a popular industry

Today's Topic: The future of wine in the US

Meet our guest: Elyse Kudo, Vice President, Spire Collection by Jackson Family Wines

About Elyse: A tenured industry professional, Elyse specializes in relationship-building and networking and has an in-depth knowledge of fine wines and spirits, both imported and domestic. She is highly knowledgeable about food and wine integration, and her superpower is forecasting industry trends. read more...

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Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

Ep13 Tim’s Travails: This month, our guest is attorney Ronald Sharpe, former United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands

April-May 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show we meet attorney Ronald Sharpe

Our Topic: A powerful conversation with a former U.S. Attorney

About our guest: Ronald is an experienced trial attorney with proven leadership who managed complex litigation matters and planned and implemented effective investigative and trial strategies. He is a former partner at Jones Day who practiced in the firm’s Investigations and White Collar Defense Group. During his tenure at Jones Day, Ronald worked out of the Washington office, focusing on white-collar defense, internal investigations, and the representation of corporations and individuals in connection with government enforcement actions. read more...

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Saturday, March 28th, 2026

Ep12 Tim’s Travails: This month, Tim honors our heroes on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2026

March 29, 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show we meet two Vietnam vets Monico Rodriguez and Josue Silva.

Today's Topic: Shining a light on American heroes

Meet our guests:

Monico Rodriguez: In Vietnam, served in Company A, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Vietnam Sept-Dec 1965) Josue Silva: In Vietnam, served in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Vietnam Oct. '68-August '69)

About National Vietnam War Veterans Day: March 29 has been the official date of National Vietnam War Veterans Day since March 29, 1973, when the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) was disbanded, and the last U.S. combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam. The last unit to leave was the Special Guard, MACV's Infantry Security Force. read more...

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Thursday, January 8th, 2026

Ep9 Tim’s Travails: Today we invite you to listen to two attorney turned authors talk about their journeys, art and craft as Tim welcomes award-winning noir author Christopher Chambers

January 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show we meet attorney turned award-winning noir author Christopher Chambers

Today's Topic: Author to Author • Attorney to Attorney

Tim will talk with Chris about:

How does being a life-long Washington, D.C., resident influence your writing? What allows you to capture the "gritty" aspects of your novels? Washington, D.C., has historically been viewed as a high-crime city, but that crime is often concentrated in neighborhoods where the victims are nameless, faceless people. Yet, if a staffer from Capitol Hill or someone with political connections is a victim of crime, it hits the front page and national media, how do you reconcile this, or is that possible? Why is it that when a DC resident is the victim, few seem to care, but earlier this year when someone who was part of the DOGE army was a victim, it got the attention of the White House. Similarly, the recent shooting of National Guard members caused the White House to threaten a more uniformed presence. Why such a different reaction? Don't miss it! read more...

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Thursday, January 1st, 2026

Ep10 Tim’s Travails: School safety is the theme of this month’s interview with Luis D. Aponte, author of “A Safe Place”

January 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show we meet school safety expert, author, and podcaster Luis D. Aponte.

Today's Topic: The Real Story Behind School Safety — How to Prevent the Next School Shooting

About our guest: Some people talk about school safety — Luis D. Aponte actually studies it. A Northern Virginia librarian, Air Force veteran, and author, Luis has spent seven years digging into 1,204 school‑shooting cases to understand the patterns others miss. His research, including a 2022 publication in the peer‑reviewed EDUCATION journal, gives schools and lawmakers the data they need to act. Born in Savannah, Georgia and trained as a librarian at the University of South Florida, Luis brings both heart and expertise to this work. When he’s not writing, he’s acting in films, solving fictional crimes in library murder‑mystery plays, or exploring Virginia’s parks with his wife, Eileen. His message is clear: protecting kids isn’t political — it’s essential, and the solutions are within reach. Learn more: asafeplacebook.com read more...

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Monday, December 22nd, 2025

Ep8 Tim’s Travails: Meet Chen Wang, CEO of Steelike, Inc., and former Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Affairs of the American Intellectual Property Law Association

December 2025 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show, we meet Chen Wang, the co-founder and CEO of Steelike, and former Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Affairs of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

This month's topic: Women in Engineering

Questions for Chen:

How did you decide to enter this area? What were your interests and influences as a child? How did that impact your decision to become an engineer, and then a lawyer? How do the areas of engineering and law complement each other? As the CEO of Steelike, how do you see the role of AI impacting your industry? What are some of the upsides and downsides? What do you believe is the role of personal relationships in the age of the Internet and AI? How do you see it playing out in the next 3-5 years, and beyond? About Chen: Based in Springfield, VA, Steelike supplies a proprietary ultra-high-performance composite material, known as Steelike UHPC, for the construction, repair, preservation, and protection of infrastructure. Previously, she was Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Affairs of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), based in Arlington, Virginia, where she served as a senior advisor to the Executive Director, and had day-to-day responsibility for AIPLA's domestic and international intellectual property policy work and regulatory issues of concern to the Association. read more...

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