Los Angeles Entertainment Attorney

Entertainment law is more than just legal agreements that those in the entertainment industry make. While that is one part, it is also classified as a subsection of intellectual property law specifically applicable to individuals and businesses in the entertainment industry. Commonly referred to as media law, the practice of entertainment law encompasses copyrights, trademarks, licensing, design, and even personality and privacy rights. In addition to these, entertainment law firms, such as The Myers Law Group, handle litigation in the areas of:

• Motion picture rights
• Music rights
• Sports contracts and marketing
• Breach of fiduciary
• Director agreements
• Producer contracts
• Production agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Television rights
• Representation agreements

Entertainment law applies to many different types of individuals and mediums in the industry. Whether you are in film, theater, music, television, radio, digital media, social media, publishing, or everything in between, the benefits of an entertainment lawyer can help you.

The entertainment industry is driven by creativity. From idea to concept, there are many individuals involved in creating films, books, plays, songs, and more. With the multitude of individuals involved, there is difficulty in defining who owns the rights to these creative arts and who should be in control of marketing, distribution, and compensation for the use of such material. An entertainment law firm can help its clients navigate these difficulties by assisting them with contractual agreements. Often, the artist and the entertainment company will fight for months about who should own the controlling rights to the intellectual property.

Here are common copyright concerns that could happen in different entertainment industries:

• Music. The songwriter, the label, and the artist who performs the song (if different than the writer) may all claim control of the song. However, the nature in which the song is recorded and published plays a role in who has a right to the song. The songwriter has the right to decide who will first record the song. However, once the song is recorded or released publicly, copyright laws grant permission to anyone else who wishes to record the song. This can be done through a compulsory license which comes with its own set of guidelines and fees. To complicate matters more, each version of the same song then holds its own copyright.
• Dance, theater, and performing arts. If a choreographer creates a specific routine, that routine becomes protected under copyright laws as soon as it is considered a “fixed and tangible” form. From there, only the choreographer, or whoever contractually owns the copyright, may grant permission for its usage.
• Novelists, screenplay writers, and other media content creators. A common discrepancy in entertainment law comes from derivative works. This is when, for example, a script is created as an adaptation of a novel for television or movies. This can only be done with the consent of the copyright holder. This isn’t just for scripts, however. The protections for derivative works can be applied to video games, toys, t-shirts, podcasts, and any other adaptation of an original work. Unfortunately for many authors, they forego ownership of their work with an incentive from publishers who then license the work freely.
• Company, artist, and performer names and pseudonyms. Many in the entertainment industry seek to protect their legal identities by creating pseudonyms. Or, in many performance groups, they will use a collective title. These names may be trademarked through registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This can not only help to protect identities but also create unique identities that artists and businesses can use to build their brands.

While these are just a few examples of the complicated copyright and intellectual property troubles produced in the entertainment industry, it highlights the difficulties surrounding those who are a part of creating artistic mediums for the public to enjoy.

No matter what your involvement is with the entertainment industry, you can greatly benefit from the services of a knowledgeable and experienced entertainment lawyer. Utilizing our services is highly recommended if:

• You are establishing a contract or negotiating the terms of one.
• You feel a contract you have signed has been violated.
• You feel your intellectual property has been infringed upon.
• You wish to establish distribution or publication rights for your work.
• You find yourself named in a lawsuit for any of the above reasons.

The costs for utilizing an entertainment lawyer’s services can vary depending on your needs, the amount of time they will need to invest, and the length of the process, but the average cost for an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles can be upwards of $550 per hour.

The entertainment industry can be difficult enough with the constant judgment from the public, the expectations to perform, or the demanding role of helping to create art, but it can also be very rewarding when you know your work is accepted and appreciated. Unfortunately, for many in the entertainment industry, it can be filled with hard lessons that could leave you feeling powerless or without control. When you utilize the services of an entertainment lawyer, like those at The Myers Law Group, you can have the confidence to follow your dreams and help create art that brings joy to others. If you are in the entertainment industry or are looking to start your career there, contact our office and let us empower you, protect you, and help you maintain your rights.

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