Category Archives: Entertainment Law

Asked & Answered: I don’t have a formal contract. How do I make sure I get my credit?

"Asked and Answered" is an occasional feature of this blog.  From time to time, I'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in my practice. Q:  I applied to write a short for a small independent film company when they advertised for a ...

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Asked & Answered: Does a submission release affect my copyright? Should I sign?

"Asked and Answered" is an occasional feature of this blog.  From time to time, I'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in my practice. This is intended as general information only and  does not establish an attorney-client relationship.  It is ...

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Asked and Answered: Should I have a Loan Out Company?

"Asked and Answered" will be a new occasional feature of this blog.  From time to time, I'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in my practice. This is intended as general information only and  does not establish an attorney-client relationship.  It is not a substitute for a private, independent ...

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The Google Books Settlement and music publishers: EMI opts out.

Chris Castle over at the Music Technology Policy blog has posted an insightful piece about EMI's decision to opt-out of the Google Books Settlement. Here's the link: http://www.musictechpolicy.com/2009/09/google-to-emi-stop-me-before-i-infringe.html Did you know that music publishers would be affected by the Google Books Settlement? Did you know that publishers with large catalogs ...

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The role(s) of producers in modern theatre

Ken Davenport is a Broadway producer who generously blogs his thoughts about the theatre business.  Recently, he posted a terrific explanation of the roles of producer and 'lead' producer.  It's worth a read. "What's the difference between a lead Producer and a Producer?".

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What's the REDBOX flap really about?

Well, money, of course.  Here's the background: Redbox is a company that provides $1 DVD rentals through kiosks set up in local supermarkets and other convenient locations.  You've probably seen the large red kiosks standing next to the Coinstar machines, lottery ticket vending machines, and Rug-Doctor rental ...

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Entertainment Law Update Podcast – Episode 4: The Pope & The Little Mermaid turn it up to 11

Episode 4 of my Entertainment Law Update podcast is now available. Visit the site to subscribe using iTunes or your favorite RSS Reader. Attorneys can get California MCLE (Continuing Legal Eduction) credit, too! [audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/entertainmentlawupdate/EntertainmentLawUpdateEpisode4.mp3] Download Episode (right click) Approximate Running Time: 1:14 .

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Entertainment Law Update Podcast – Episode 4: The Pope & The Little Mermaid turn it up to 11

Episode 4 of my Entertainment Law Update podcast is now available. Visit the site to subscribe using iTunes or your favorite RSS Reader.  Attorneys can get California MCLE (Continuing Legal Eduction) credit, too! [audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/entertainmentlawupdate/EntertainmentLawUpdateEpisode4.mp3] Download Episode (right click) Approximate Running Time: 1:14

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Livent's Drabinsky and Gottlieb sentenced to Prison

In the 1990's Garth Drabinsky's LIVENT was the hottest commercial producing company on Broadway.  With hits like Ragtime! Show Boat, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Fosse!, the company and its founders were on top of the world. It all came crashing down late in the decade, when it came to light that the company had ...

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To LLC or Not to LLC? Not really a question.

Do I really need to form a separate LLC for each film I make? Every independent filmmaker who consults me about starting a new privately financed project asks me whether it’s really necessary to form an LLC for the Picture, or whether she can do it under her existing production company.   My reply is nearly ...

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