Whether you are starting a film production company or want to use a musician’s song in the movie you are seeking backing for, it is all about making deals. A qualified film and television attorney knows the elements of contracts, intellectual property rights, and choosing the right entity for your business.
Donovan Rodriques could negotiate and provide contracts for you, no matter what aspect of the entertainment business you are in, freeing you to focus on your craft. Call our firm today to learn how a New York City film services deals lawyer can help you.
Film production companies, studios, distributors, talent and sales agencies, content creators, and filmmakers begin by creating a business entity under which their services will operate. Businesses can be formed as partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations. The choice of business entity depends on whether owners wish to be protected from personal liability for the business’s actions, prefer pass-through status for profits and losses, tax consequences, or intend to take the company public in the future. A film services deal lawyer in New York City could also help writers and musicians who want to copyright scripts, songs and stories, actors who must sign contracts, and existing businesses who want to form a joint venture with another company to bring one or more projects to life.
In the past, films were distributed exclusively by the studios that made them, but distribution and content licensing are far more complex now, with streaming services, pay-per-view, theatrical licensing, and broadcast agreements.
Content licensing agreements grant agreed-upon intellectual property rights to the party licensing the work, the licensee. The licensee in return pays royalties to the licensor, the party granting the rights.
Distribution deals are often between studios and streaming platforms, such as Netflix, HBO, Disney, and Peacock. The agreements spell out how a distributor acquires a film from a supplier and how it will be sold to the right audience.
These agreements are also useful when manufacturers want to license stills from a particular movie to use on merchandise or use a certain song in a movie.
Production agreements cover a multitude of business deals in the film and television industry. They address each party’s obligations and rights and detail copyright ownership, compensation, credit or profit sharing for the work they contribute to a film. Dispute resolution is also a component.
These agreements can cover aspects of filmmaking, like using privately owned locations in movies. They could also employ production companies to be responsible for daily duties during the creation of a film. These agreements are often entered into with actors, directors, writers, and cinematographers.
Film and television deals are multi-faceted and involve many contracts to protect the rights of everyone contributing. Our New York City film services deals attorneys assist clients with:
Our clients know they can ask any question regarding their roles in the entertainment industry, and our attorneys will be able to answer it.
Whatever role you play in the entertainment industry, you will need a lawyer at some point. You may be presented with a contract to sign or need one drafted to hire someone. A New York City film service deals lawyer could help with negotiating film distribution rights or negotiate for the perfect location to shoot your movie.
Whether you are new to the business or a seasoned professional, a lawyer could help you mitigate the risks of starting and running your company and avoid common pitfalls filmmakers face in film service deals, such as improper IP rights management or insufficient dispute resolution clauses.
Ensure your film’s success with the right legal strategy. Contact Donovan Rodriques today for expert guidance in negotiating your film service deals and securing your intellectual property.
