Areas of Practice
Music
Our music practice is ideally positioned to leverage a broad and deep range of industry experience on behalf of our clients. Music is our original specialty so we are adept at drafting and negotiating every type of agreement and deal in the industry including: recording, "360" deals, publishing, songwriter, administration, producer, mixer/re-mixer, management, distribution, licensing, label, band, sideman, sampling, master use and synchronization clearances, composer, soundtrack, tour & sponsorship, catalog acquisition, endorsement, and merchandising.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Ideas, tangible or not, are the most important things to protect in today’s competitive creative market. With so many channels and feeds continuously replenishing content, tracing the ownership and originality of a design, brand name, or invention needs the eyes of a trained attorney. We will handle the search, application, and filing process of trademarks and copyrights. If your idea has been infringed upon, our firm is associated with many top-notch litigation firms that will help in securing the best possible outcome for you.
CONSULTING AND DEAL MAKING
For many years, we have offered consulting and project shopping services under our consulting arm of the firm. Dealing in the entertainment industry, particularly the music industry, we bring decades of experience, knowledge and contacts in helping our clients develop their careers and projects. We advise our clients on what opportunities may exist in their respective industries, and guide them as to where to focus their energies and attention. We offer our consulting services with unbiased and independent advice, designed to help our clients not only obtain a career in the music and media arena, but to maintain their career in these ever-changing industries.
Film & TELEVISION
The film and television practice covers all aspects of the film and television industries, providing legal advice to actors, writers, directors, producers, managers, production, and financing and distribution companies. We draft and negotiate performer, writer and producer agreements, development, production, financing, and sales and distribution agreements. Tailoring each contract according to a project’s scope, size, and budget, we secure the appropriate creative rights for all talents involved.
CORPORATE
Our corporate practice focuses on the business objectives of our clients by combining general corporate expertise with a true understanding of the media and entertainment realm. From advising our clients on the most advantageous type of corporation for their business needs, to guiding them through the process of setting up their corporation, we are well versed in all of the intricacies involved in corporate set-up. We draft and negotiate a variety of corporate agreements including joint venture and strategic partnership agreements, mergers and acquisitions, asset purchase agreements, and general commercial contracts.
LICENSING, BRANDING & ENDORSEMENTS
Our licensing, branding and endorsement practice focuses on the growing use of advertising and sponsor-funded productions across a variety of industries and categories such as apparel, footwear, electronics, accessories, food and beverage, and home products. We not only negotiate and draft agreements, but we also bring together brand managers, and marketing and promotions executives with talent and creative decision makers to collaborate in branding, endorsement and sponsorship opportunities.
Video games
Our video game practice is focused on assisting startup and established video game developers and publishers with a legal focus on copyright, works for hire, trademark and licensing issues. Our clients are at the forefront of bringing video game entertainment to the desktop computer, mobile device, and home entertainment. They are innovators in the development and licensing of technology used in designing, developing and operating online computer and video game products.
Executive compensation
Our firm has significant experience navigating the murky waters of employment law. Our long standing experience working within multi-media companies allows us particular insight into what employers should provide - compensation, equity, profit participation, stock options, severance and insurance benefits. The services we provide to our clients include drafting and negotiating employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, stock option plans, non-compete agreements and confidentiality agreements.
DIGITAL MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY
Technology and the internet are so pervasive that we can’t remember having ever lived without them. They make our lives simpler, but behind the scenes are fluctuating challenges in protection and monetization; challenges that our firm stays two steps ahead of. We have helped inventors, gaming startups, and entrepreneurs develop, license, sell, and maintain ownership over their creations. We use our broad knowledge of new media and how it intersects with other areas of the law. The types of agreements we draft and negotiate include software and application licensing agreements, end-user license agreements, master service agreements, partnership and development agreements, as well as the protection of ownership rights in software and related materials.