Monthly Archives: January 2009

At Theatrelawyer: Is financing harder in a down economy?

Over at my other blog: TheatreLawyer.com, I’ve posted a few thoughts about whether it’s truly harder to get investor financing in place in a down economy, or whether fear, uncertainty and doubt prevent folks from trying.  Let me know your thoughts in the comments over there… Tweet

Financing independent films and theatre projects is more difficult in the current economic climate. Myth or Reality?

In recent weeks, I’ve had a number of clients express their view that the current down economy means that they won’t be able to find investors to finance their films and/or shows.   As a consequence, they’re sitting back, waiting things out.. not trying to make it happen. Meanwhile, I’ve had others tell me that investors…

The YouTube plot thickens…

Further follow up to my post on Wednesday regarding YouTube’s automated audio-muting of user-generated videos containing unlicensed music….. According to this piece at the Hollywood Reporter.. YouTube is taking things a step further… allowing users to REPLACE offending music in video soundtracks with pre-cleared music….  (automatically?) I ask you again…  does this kind of filtering…

Interviewed today for the NY Post

I was interviewed today by a journalist at the New York Post regarding Jeremy Piven’s withdrawal from the Broadway production of “Speed The Plow” late last year. The actor withdrew suddenly from the show, citing his doctor’s advice following the discovery that he’s suffering from mercury poisoning.  Apparently, “Speed” producers have sought a second medical…

YouTube institutes automated removal of unlicensed music from posted video

UPDATE:  News.com reports in greater depth on this situation, and as it turns out, the system isn’t a unilateral, automated removal of soundtracks at all.  Apparently,YouTube identifies videos with unlicensed music using an automated filter, and then notifies the uploader/user of the situation, giving the CHOICE to mute the audio, or remove the entire video. …

Good discussion of differences between copyrights, trademarks and patents

Over at  the Phosita Intellectual Property Blog, there is a good, if a bit simplified discussion of the differences between the types of Intellectual Property. This presents a good thumbnail sketch for those familiar with the concept, but not the specifics, of intellectual property. Tweet