Media & Entertainment Law

Arbitration in Entertainment Contracts: Worth fighting about?

Posted on March 24, 2011
Charlie Sheen‘s lawyers are fighting hard to have their case against the producers of Two and a half men heard in Court, rather than arbitration.  Yesterday, the producers secured a victory on this front, with the Court ordering claims to arbitration under Sheen’s contract...

Special Podcast Episode: Jonathan Handel and ?Hollywood on Strike?

Posted on March 10, 2011
Call us with your feedback: (310) 243-6231 In this SPECIAL Episode: Jonathan Handel talks about the 2007-2009 Hollywood labor strife and his new book on the subject. BUY THE BOOK Available in Kindle Format Also! Special Podcast Episode: Jonathan Handel and “Hollywood on Strike” is a post from: The Law Offices of Gordon P...

Entertainment Law Update Podcast episode 018 ? of beauty queens and footlong subs

Posted on March 08, 2011
Call us with your feedback: (310) 243-6231 In this Episode: Follow Ups Gaga / Madonna Tolkien estate vs. Book Author Subway Footlong trademark claims King’s Speech/No Animals Harmed Superbowl Class Action Medical Justice and DMCA for review sites Miss San Antonio de-throned, files suit and more… GET CLE CREDIT for this episode...

Is your theatre or production in danger of an ADA lawsuit?

Posted on February 14, 2011
If you produce or operate a venue that houses Movies, concerts, or performing arts works, like theatre, comedy or spoken word performances, you  may not be aware of the scope of  the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which  requires that you make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities...

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Will Spiderman?s bad reviews matter, or has the superhero already caught audiences in his web?

Posted on February 09, 2011
Earlier this week, the New York Theatre Critics broke with long standing tradition and reviewed a show while it is still in Previews.  The mostly bad reviews of “Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark” came out the day after one of the oft-rescheduled opening dates...

Asked and Answered: Can I use a famous movie line in my new screenplay?

Posted on February 04, 2011
Q:  I have watched hundreds of films and read as many screenplays.  The question I have is, are lines from movies protected by copywrite or are they considered in the public domain? The best example I have is whenever a character or story transports a character to somewhere foreign or bizarre the standard line is “We’re not...

Asked and Answered: Using Pseudonyms, and getting paid.

Posted on January 28, 2011
Q:  Can you shed any light on how to best use a pseudonym from a legal standpoint? I have my copyright indicating the other identity, but what about in the marketplace?  For example, if I’m to be paid, how would that be arranged? A: Using a pseudonym is actually pretty simple...

Episode 17: Can Kanye write songs 140 characters at a time?

Posted on January 26, 2011
Call us with your feedback: (310) 243-6231 In this Episode: Follow Ups UMG v. Augusto Brill v. Disney New CRB Royalty Rates Josh Groban sings Kanye?s tweets Right of Publicity cases and the Constitution Record Labels to pay $47.5 Million Defamation in Copyright Registration Presley Estate Sues Chrysalis GET CLE CREDIT for this episode...

Asked & Answered: Can I sell my novel after I?ve already sold the screenplay?

Posted on January 21, 2011
Q:  If a screenwriter sells the copyright to their screenplay, do they also give up the rights to the novel if they’ve written one based on the same story? A:  Not necessarily.  If the novel is based on the screenplay,  or tells the same story, then yes, the transfer of copyright in the screenplay would prevent...

Asked and Answered: Parody/Satire and copyright infringement.

Posted on January 17, 2011
Q:  When does a parody of someone else’s material infringe on their copyright? For instance, having a character use the Vulcan mind-meld in your story.  Changing some content within a Dr. Seuss story to create new characters but keeping the same meter, structure and rhyme...

How to get investors for your theatrical production (tele-class)

Posted on January 07, 2011
I’m pleased to be a part of this tele-class being offered next Thursday, the 13th. How to get investors for your theatrical production (tele-class) Thursday, January 13th, 2011, 12:00 PM EST. Free to first 10 attendees who enroll. $29.99 all others Finding investors and donors for theatrical productions is a challenging task...

Ken Davenport visits LA: Producers Perspective Social January 29th.

Posted on January 07, 2011
One of the blogs I read religiously is Broadway Producer Ken Davenport‘s “Producer’s Perspective”.  Ken’s insights and predictions about the business (and art) of theatre are always interesting and thought-provoking. Ken is coming to L...

Media Producers Survival Guide now available in more formats!

Posted on December 30, 2010
I’m very pleased to announce that my ebook, The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide is now available for Amazon’s Kindle reader and Apple’s iPad, as well as in .pdf format. The Guide is the first comprehensive ebook that  gives a clear, concise and layperson friendly explanation of the legal principles, issues...

Asked and Answered: What can I do if my co-writer bails before the script is finished?

Posted on December 27, 2010
Attorney Gordon P. Firemark answers the question: "What can I do if my co-writer bails out before our script is finished?"

Merry Merry!

Posted on December 20, 2010

Entertainment Law Update Podcast Episode 16: How we track stories; top stories of 2010

Posted on December 14, 2010
In this Episode: follow ups Recent Cases and Decisions Some online resources we use to keep on top of the stories. Our top stories for 2010

Is Spiderman working without a net (profit) on Broadway

Posted on December 08, 2010
The Hollywood Reporter reports that the $65 Million production of Spiderman on Broadway will take two or three years running at 100% capacity to recoup its investment. Now, historically, multi-year runs at 100% capacity are the rare exception.  So, why would the backers for Spiderman take such a flying leap? Well,  Spiderman is a tremendously...

Happy Thanksgiving, giving thanks.

Posted on November 25, 2010
I want to take a few moments to wish all of my readers, listeners, colleagues, clients and friends, a very happy Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving holiday is a good time to consider all that we are thankful for, and to express that gratitude. Personally, I am blessed with a marvelous family...

My appearance on ?The Podcasters Studio? ?Podcasting and the Law?

Posted on November 20, 2010
Earlier this week, I was interviewed for  Episode 38 of “The Podcasters Studio”, a podcast about podcasting technique, technology and philosophy.   That show’s host, Ray, was kind enough to let me plug my podcast, Entertainment Law Update, and my ebook, The Podcast, Blog and New Media Producer?s Legal Survival Guide...

Entertainment Law Update Podcast Episode 15

Posted on November 04, 2010
Call us with your feedback: (310) 243-6231 In this Episode: follow ups Is Ageism in Hollywood getting out of hand? Hitchcock Movies never go out of style Oprah gets sued for publicizing author’s work Photographer claims r TV movie photo infringes his image You did what I asked of you… How could you do that...

My appearance on Lawyer 2 Lawyer Podcast

Posted on October 29, 2010
From music to film to theatre, celebrities can be a challenge in an entertainment law practice. Attorney and co-host Bob Ambrogi welcomes Gordon Firemark, an entertainment and new media lawyer in Los Angeles, to take a look at entertainment litigation and working with a celebrity...

Appearing on Lawyer2Lawyer show October 28, 2010

Posted on October 27, 2010
I’m very pleased to have been invited to appear on the prestigious Lawyer 2 Lawyer podcast on the Legal Talk Network with host Robert Ambrogi.  The episode, to be recoded on October 28th, will focus on entertainment law, particularly some of the challenges in representing celebrity clients...

The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer?s Legal Survival Guide

Posted on October 26, 2010
My ebook, The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide is now available for sale. The Guide is the first comprehensive ebook that  gives a clear, concise and layman friendly explanation of the legal principles, issues and claims that can arise for producers of internet-based media...

Asked & Answered: Legendary characters ? public domain or protected?

Posted on October 25, 2010
Q:  I am thinking about writing a series of YA novels featuring the characters and world of King Arthur and Robin Hood. Does anyone own the rights to these historical/fictional characters and settings, or are they considered in the public domain? A:  This is both a simple, and a tricky question to answer...

Coming Soon: My Books!

Posted on October 02, 2010
I am very pleased to announce the forthcoming release of two books I’ve written. The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer’s Legal Field Guide will be released and launched at the Blogworld New Media Expo in Las Vegas on October 15th, 2010...

Entertainment Law Update Podcast Episode 14

Posted on September 29, 2010
In this Episode: follow ups Letterman v. Phoenix? Naked Cowpersons Eminem wins on downloads ASCAP Loses on downloads MADONNA not the only material girl Ivi, Inc. says it doesn't need a license for tv rebroadcasts Righthaven: Troll or Defender? Vernor v...

Asked and Answered: Is a friend?s suggestion in my screenplay ?authorship??

Posted on September 18, 2010
Q:  What happens if a friend, or someone else, makes a suggestion that you think is good and without written permission include the line, scene, or piece of business in your screenplay. Is there now a copyright issue? A: Assuming, for the moment, that the friend just blurted out this suggestion, and  you’ve decided that it [...

Asked & Answered: How do I protect myself when I submit my idea?

Posted on September 14, 2010
Q: I have written and produced a webseries and I would like to submit it to different companies PR and Advertising departments to see if I could possibly sell the idea. How do I protect my footage and idea, and still try to push this webseries to as many companies as possible...

Asked & Answered: Is it safe to write a new work based on a deceased author?s book?

Posted on September 08, 2010
Q: I have an excellent screenplay concept I’m into – Inspired by a previously published literary book, written by a now-deceased author & screenwriter whose trade and screen writing professional work was quite successful.  The publisher of the original “book” is contemporary The author’s literary affairs are now handled by an “estate Trustee,” and a capable Hollywood industry literary agent is still in [...

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Posted on August 25, 2010
In this Episode: Follow Ups:  Justin Bieber; Tenenbaum, Kate Plus 8 Fleeting Expletives JayZ wins A few Fair Use cases Copyrights, Trademark cases Some BIG wins for plaintiffs in profit participation suits. GET CLE CREDIT for this episode. SHOW NOTES FOLLOW UPS AND QUICK TAKES Justin Bieber?s use of Twitter has him in the news [...

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