Rapper Nas ( Nasir Jones ) delayed an album ’s outlet for month while he buttonhole to have the n - word used as its name . But even with seven previous platinum album and no illegality noted for his chosen record album deed , which has been used before , he could n’t get the concept approved . He ended up calling the album " Untitled " and using back art with a graphic allusion to slaveholding [ source : USA Today ] .
A writer ' union rap crippled the 2007 - 08televisionseason , allow spectator with less to watch , networks scramble for offerings and cancellation of serial that did n’t have a chance to show their material . During the next summer , a possible actors ' union tap threatened to have a similar consequence on the next TV time of year as well as derailingmoviesthat are planned or in output [ generator : Associated Press ] .
A lawsuit by Viacom against Google , parent fellowship of YouTube , accused the picture website of right of first publication infringement for host video lifted from copyright TV shows . But with movie studio , record label and individual artists using YouTube to promote their in style offering , how can YouTube weed out piracy dropped on the website by users ? And what is its responsibility to do so ? [ beginning : CNET ]
These three example show some of the work that an entertainment lawyer may do . All of these – enquiry on a potentially incendiary album title , declaration negotiations and a copyright infringement suit – command expert who live the law and can protect the rights of company , unions , artists and the populace . But lawyers do plenty more in all areas of the entertainment industry , sometimes even acting as agent helping creative person do their assets and calling .
You may be wonder : What else does an amusement lawyer do ? What area of specialization are available ? How does someone become this type of lawyer ? And , if you are in the euphony , TV or pic manufacture , how do you select the correct entertainment attorney for your needs ? Read on to find out .
Job Description of an Entertainment Lawyer
Being an amusement lawyer may seem like a glamorous career that offers a way of life to rub shoulders with fame and up - and - coming artists . While that may be true for some successful lawyers , entertainment law of nature is a demanding calling that requires a firm foundation in sound areas like contract law , labour law , litigation and cerebral property , as well as extensive knowledge of how the entertainment industry works . Bear in mind , too , that lot of would - be amusement attorneys are jockey for a limited number of occupation in the industry .
amusement attorney provide sound help for creative person , employees , companies and mortal involve in all area of the amusement industry , let in film , radio , goggle box , medicine , publication , theater and digital or multimedia system entertainment likevideo games .
This could mean helping an actor talk terms a declaration with a studio apartment , file suit over a pirated plastic film , ensuring that stuntmen have adequate aesculapian coverage , master an standstill in pairing contract dialogue , assisting a young recording artist with financial or tangible estate decision , protecting a recording principal from illegal use of goods and services of a copyright song or even forestall intrusion of a client ’s privacy [ author : Lawyers.com ] .
Here ’s a list of activity that might be part of an entertainment attorney ’s job description :
[ sources : MusicBizAcademy , Randy Jackson and K.C. Baker , William K. Gibson and Reid F. Trautz ]
Like any other lawyer , an amusement lawyer has spent three years earning a legal philosophy academic degree after receiving a bachelor ’s degree . But an entertainment lawyer has chosen to specialize , probably graduating from a law school that offers a specialism in entertainment natural law . Some of the top school are University of California at Los Angeles , University of Southern California , Stanford University and New York University . If you ’re concerned in this character of law , look for a school that offer amusement law course and has an entertainment - center police force limited review or association [ generator : Top Law Schools ] .
After finishing school , an entertainment attorney commonly works for a law firm specializing in this type of law . Most of these firms are located in Los Angeles ( music , picture show and television ) , New York ( music , publication and theater ) and Nashville ( medicine ) . Young lawyer start as associate , and partners direct them in writing contracts and assisting with negotiations . Because of the limited issue of spots , the large identification number of usable attorneys and nature of the amusement industry , moving up often count on the kinship and contacts that an lawyer can make [ source : Mark Litwak ’s Entertainment Law Resource ] .
Interning in an entertainment firm before law school and during summer , volunteer with a pro - bono organization like California Lawyers for the Arts and conjoin groups like American Bar Association ’s Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries can all aid a attorney make diligence impinging .
Not all entertainment lawyer have the same line description . Let ’s look next at the different specialties that entertainment lawyers can have .
Specializations of Entertainment Lawyers
One way of bet at the specialties of entertainment lawyers is to take a by - diligence glide slope . Here are some of the areas lawyers may handle for each industry :
Another way of dissever up the specialty to expect at the type of law being practiced . lawyer divide the practice of amusement law of nature into two basic class : transaction - ground and litigation - base . Transaction - ground focuses on drafting and negociate entertainment contract , while litigation - based agency resolving disputes by filing a lawsuit or though mediation or arbitration .
More specifically , an entertainment attorney can focus on any or several of many practice expanse : rational property , collective jurisprudence , labor legal philosophy , arbitrement and alternate conflict resolution , judicial proceeding , landed estate planning , real estate , condemnable law , outside law , married law , tax and immigration .
Larger entertainment natural law firms are likely to offer a wide miscellany of these specialties . Smaller firms may be more focused on a specific sphere , such as composition and negotiating contract bridge . Litigation is often handled by a disjoined , specialized law business firm .
Perhaps your biggest concern is notice the right entertainment attorney to help you with your needs , such as negociate a declaration with a record label . Keep reading to find out how to choose an entertainment lawyer .
Choosing an Entertainment Lawyer
If you ’re a musician or an player , you probably did n’t call back about the importance of having an amusement lawyer until you had a contract to sign . Once you signed , you ’d be bind by the declaration ’s terms . short , looking at those term , you knew you require a attorney to look it over and make indisputable everything worked as much to your advantage as possible . Perhaps your factor could provide an view , but a lawyer would have more expertise .
In looking for the right amusement lawyer to encounter your needs , you ’ll want to consider the following about the attorney or firm :
[ sources : How Recording Contracts Workand MusicBizAcademy ]
Here are some suggestions on regain an entertainment attorney :
Regardless of the entertainment industry you call home , an amusement lawyer can help you to protect your interest and move before in your career .
For lots more information about entertainment lawyers and related topics , check out the links on the next pageboy .
