Entertainment, Media & The Arts

Our attorneys combine a thorough knowledge of deal making, contract negotiation and legal considerations with an understanding of the industries involved and our clients’ businesses and objectives to provide value added service. When called for we draw upon the Firm’s corporate and litigation lawyers that have substantial experience in the entertainment, media and arts areas. Our clients include studios and other motion picture and television production companies, networks, Internet and new media companies, private equity investors and other film financiers, distributors, producers, writers, directors, authors, and other creative talent, actors, musicians and other performing artists, talent agencies, advertising agencies, record labels, athletes, models, animators, comedians, and visual artists, as well as entertainment and media executives.

Financing, Production and Distribution

We represent clients in connection with the development, financing, production, and distribution and other exploitation of motion pictures, television programming, and Internet and other new media content. The Firm has extensive experience in licensing and distribution of content through advanced digital technologies to leading media platforms, and in providing services relating to domestic domestic and international digital content delivery and distribution, mobile digital applications, and interactive advertising.

Joint Ventures, Mergers and Acquisitions

In conjunction with attorneys in the Firm’s Corporate Department, we advise clients with respect to entertainment and media related joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and purchases and sales of motion picture or other content libraries. Licensing and Merchandising
Our practice includes extensive work in the areas of copyright, trademark, software, character, brand, celebrity, and other licensing and merchandising. We represent licensors and licensees, celebrities, influencers, brands, and others in connection with their licensing and merchandising, endorsement, and commercial spokesperson activities and programs. In addition, we also advise producers, production companies, celebrities, and brands in the burgeoning integrated marketing areas of brand integration and activation.

Music

Our music practice provides our clients with legal counsel in all aspects of the music business. We represent clients throughout the world on both the talent side and industry side. We help clients protect their intellectual property, counsel in regard to, and negotiate, all types of agreements involving musical artists and music assets including licenses, purchases and sales, library and catalog acquisitions and sales, employment and engagement agreements, touring and live appearance agreements, band agreements and joint venture agreements

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property In addition to our services in connection with licensing and merchandising, we regularly advise clients with respect to copyright, trademark and other intellectual property issues and matters. For example, we advise clients regarding copyright and trademark protection matters, such as the types of items that are copyrightable or subject to trademark registration, the securing and maintenance of copyright or trademark protection, and the avoidance of activities that may constitute copyright or trademark infringement. We also regularly advise clients with respect to defamation and rights of privacy and publicity issues.

Art Law

The Firm’s cutting edge art law practice provides counsel to visual artists, museums, non-profit organizations, foundations, art dealers and galleries, estates and trusts, private collectors, and institutions owning art. Our attorneys have extensive experience structuring consignment agreements with major auction houses and other major private sales agreements throughout the world, executing estate, gift and tax planning for artists and collectors, and assisting with the creation of private museums and art foundations. We also facilitate major exhibit sponsorships and artist exhibit agreements. The art law practice negotiates licensing, endorsement and co-branding agreements for artists as well as resources art-related disputes, including copyright and other intellectual property infringement. In addition, we handle drafting of purchase agreements, structuring loans secured by fine art, advising clients with insurance claims arising for any reason, including damage, theft and valuation related issues, as well as assisting with appraisals, provenance review and research, and restitution claims.

To discuss your entertainment, media and art law needs, please contact Rick Ross at 310.855.3200.

Entertainment, Media & The Arts Department

• Represented independent entertainment company in connection with several television financings and in connection with a multi-series licensing agreement with a major motion picture studio.
• Represented NFL star in numerous matters, including the production and distribution of Emmy Award nominated sports docuseries.
• Represented IndyCar and NASCAR star in various matters, including licensing, branding and network broadcasting agreements.
• Represented several high profile environmental charities in their entertainment endeavors (network news specials, documentary films, and unscripted television series).
• Represented a prominent international film sales and production company in connection with a film library-backed credit facility; and represented its television production subsidiary in connection with an $80 Million television production revolving credit facility.
• Represented studios and production companies in single-picture and film slate motion picture production financing.
• Represented major bank lenders in single-picture production financing and film slate production facilities (including syndicated facilities).
• Negotiated and prepared production, financing, and foreign licensing agreements for numerous feature films, television series, and documentaries including Academy Award Winner “The Hurt Locker,”  and Academy Award nominated “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail.”
• Represented the producer of “The Hurt Locker” in an appeal with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Producers Guild of America that resulted in Producer receiving an Academy Award and a PGA award for Best Picture.
• Negotiated financing agreements for high net worth individuals and other independent financiers in connection with multimillion dollar investments in entertainment properties from motion pictures to television programs to animated films.
• Represented both buyers and sellers in transactions involving the sale, acquisition and exploitation of intellectual property assets, including the purchase and sale of content libraries and musical copyrights.
• Formed television and theatrical motion picture production and distribution ventures.
• Represented brands, properties and celebrity clients in connection with their licensing, merchandising, and commercial spokesperson activities.
• Negotiated some of the music industry’s largest and most innovative recording contracts, including the first artist owned label distribution agreement.
• Negotiated some of the earliest agreements pertaining to the Internet, ring tones, video satellite delivery, mobile entertainment, broadband and wireless.
• Worked with major feature film and television production companies on integration, activation, and sponsorship deals.
• Represented fine art collectors, artists, galleries, advisors, and dealers in various transactions, including negotiating acquisitions, sales, consignments, auctions, loans, licenses and entity formation.
• Advised clients on management of fine art collections, including inventory insurance, appraisal, donations, provenance, authenticity and lending.
• Advised celebrities and other authors in connection with their book publishing deals.
• Represented television production companies and rendered production legal services on many television variety shows, specials, and live events including major awards shows, live broadcast musical productions, and New Year’s Eve coverage and celebration broadcasts.