Draft:Jeffrey P. Thennisch

Jeffrey P. Thennisch (born September 12, 1967) is an American intellectual property attorney and founder of the Thennisch Law Group (TLG). He is also the principal architect of Redemption Music Media, a platform for music content and portfolio monetization that advocates for individual artists and their families

Thennisch has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" in the United States and a "Top Lawyer" in intellectual property law by The New York Times. He has authored numerous publications on music rights and intellectual property law.

Early Life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Thennisch was influenced by his mother's emphasis on professional careers. He graduated from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1990. Thennisch then earned his Juris Doctor (Cum Laude) from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1994.

Legal Career

Thennisch credits his success to Professor David Taylor, his first law professor. He has worked extensively in music rights law, including collaborating with the late Congressman John Conyers Jr. on legislation for musical royalties. Thennisch has presented at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference on issues affecting African American musicians  

Thennisch was particularly influenced by Taylor's views about "how the law can be used as a tool to achieve social justice and equality in our country, and I try to instill in them a spirit of 'if you work hard and do right, justice actually can prevail.'"

Thennisch specializes in the termination provisions of the U.S. Copyright Act, particularly Sections 203 and 304 of Title 17. He has represented numerous Grammy Award-winning artists, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, and Songwriters Hall of Fame members in reclaiming their music publishing catalogs [8].

His work has resulted in the return of copyright interests for iconic songs by artists such as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. Thennisch has also represented George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic, helping restore U.S. music publishing rights for some of Clinton's most famous songs. (D-IL) .1

Restoration Of Legal Rights Under The U.S. Copyright Act

Jeffrey Thennisch is a longtime practitioner and supporter of the termination provisions of the U.S. Copyright Act, especially Section 203 and Section 304 of Title 17 of the United States Code.   These provisions allow individual creators, songwriters, and/or their heirs to recapture and reclaim the "legal title" to their past creative subject matter.

Thennisch represents numerous Grammy-Award winning musical artists, members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in their efforts to reclaim their music publishing catalogs through the "termination" provisions of the U.S. Copyright Act.

His legal work has resulted in the redemption and return of copyright interests and music publishing rights for some of the most iconic pop music songs of the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's, including "The Tears Of A Clown" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, "The Way You Do The Things You Do" by the Temptations, "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder, "Fingertips" by Stevie Wonder, "I Was Made To Love Her" by Stevie Wonder, Uptight (Everything's Alright) by Stevie Wonder, "Ain't That Peculiar" by Marvin Gaye, "I'll Be Doggone" by Marvin Gaye, "Going To A Go-Go" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, and the Motown classic "What Becomes Of The Broken-Hearted?" by Jimmy Ruffin.

Representation Of "Godfather Of Funk" & Lifetime Achievement Grammy-Award Winner George Clinton. Thennisch has represented George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic and exercised the copyright termination process to restore the U.S. music publishing rights for some of Clinton's most iconic songs, including "Atomic Dog," "Do Fries Go With That Shake," and "Nubian Nut."  Thennisch also serves as the attorney of record for the FUNKADELIC, PARLIAMENT, and P-FUNK trademarks throughout the world.  For his efforts, Clinton has referred to Thennisch as "the lawyer from heaven."

Redemption Music Media

In June 2024, Thennisch co-founded Redemption Music Media, LLC with Emmy-nominated producer Rich Bornstein, music industry veteran Kevin Potts, and information technology specialist Rick Thompson. The company serves as a music licensing and publishing entity for individuals and families who have reclaimed their media and music publishing rights.