Tim’s Travails: Insights from an author and IP attorney

Most Recent Podcast

September 3 2026

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 sereis, 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. 

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, www.TimothyTrainer.com.

Current Number of Episodes: 18

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.

All Episodes
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 toClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tim's Travails
Tim's Travails
Ep16 Tim's Travails: This month we interview journalist and children's book author Karen Leggett Abouraya
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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, herClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tim's Travails
Tim's Travails
Ep15 Tim's Travails: This month we interview Elaine Church at the Semester at Sea program — for grownups!
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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 aboutClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tim's Travails
Tim's Travails
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
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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,Click here to listen to the podcast!

Tim's Travails
Tim's Travails
Ep13 Tim's Travails: This month, our guest is attorney Ronald Sharpe, former United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands
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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: MarchClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tim's Travails
Tim's Travails
Ep12 Tim's Travails: This month, Tim honors our heroes on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2026
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

Ep11 Tim’s Travails: An Invisible Public Servant is the month’s feature on Peter Fowler, former Senior Counsel, Office of Policy and International Affairs at the United States Patent and Trademark Office

March 2026 — This month on IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer’s podcast/video show we meet Peter Fowler, former Senior Counsel, Office of Policy and International Affairs at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Today’s Topic: An Invisible Public Servant — It’s the Mission Tim asks Peter: As an advisor on copyright issues when you joined the USPTO, how much has copyright issues changed due to technology? What did you do to prepare to be an IP Attache?Click here to listen to the podcast!

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 theClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tim's Travails
Tim's Travails
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
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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 patternsClick here to listen to the podcast!

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