ENTERTAINMENT LAW - PRODUCTION LEGAL SERVICES

Every production company needs an attorney to advise them regarding all contractual issues with personnel including production staff and creative staff as well as all other day-to-day legal issues.

We provide all contractual services required for production of feature films and television programs, including:

• contracts for all above the line talent, such as producers, writers, directors, etc.

• consultation regarding uses of outside material such as film clips, stills, talent, etc.

• All other contractual issues with regard to the feature film or television program

• Errors & Omissions insurance application

WE REPRESENT THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTION COMPANIES:

• Paul Brownstein Productions

• Tall Pony Productions

• Burt Sugarman, Inc.

• Steve Silas/213 TV

• Tri-Crown Productions

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual property consists of all works of art created by writers, directors, producers, musicians, etc. Such property must be licensed or contracted for just as real property is. It is important to make sure that you have the appropriate documents to insure protection for your copyrights and trademarks.

We handle Clip Licensing for the following shows:

• "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in"

• "Richard Burton's "Hamlet"

• "The Midnight Special"

• "The 1993 Clinton Presidential Inaugural Gala"

• "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour"

INTERNET AND NEW MEDIA ISSUES

Internet and new media (such as CD-ROMs) are currently the hottest issue in the legal field today. Producers must be sure to apprise themselves of all issues involved in their production for material they create as well as material of others that they want to use as well as keep up with the changes in the laws that are happening daily.

RIGHTS OF PUBLICITY AND CELEBRITY LICENSING

Artists' rights of publicity are big business in this day and age. Many producers believe that if a performer is deceased, no permission is required. This is a myth. Under the laws of nearly every state, performers have the right to license their likenesses and performers both in connection with use in feature films and television programs (under union requirements) as well as for use as endorsement in commercials. While use of a performer may not be expensive for use in film and television, use of a performer in a clip in a commercial can run into five and six figures. In order to obtain permission to use the names and likenesses of live and deceased performers, a producer must contact the attorney handling the artist or the estate concerned and negotiate a fee;

We handle licensing of the names, likenesses and performances of the following  Star Estates:

Vivian Vance

Ruth Gordon

Florence Ballard of the Supremes

Edmond O'Brien

Paul Williams of the Temptations

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© 1995-2009 Suzanne R. Vaughan, A.P.C.