Entertainment law is a crucial aspect of the entertainment industry. Many entertainment lawyers work for high-profile celebrities who are part of the film, television, theater, and music sub-industries. Some lawyers immerse themselves in specific sub-industries, such as music licensing, while others partake in multiple sub-industries within the realm of show business. Here is a list of three things that entertainment lawyers do.
1. Develop Contracts
Entertainment lawyers, like John Branca, assist in the development of contracts. They work to create contracts for musicians, actors, directors, writers, production companies, and distribution firms. They also negotiate contracts so that their clients, be they individuals, institutions, or unions, can attain the most beneficial deal. If a client is given a contract, it common for an entertainment lawyer to evaluate its level of legality and pinpoint any issues related to labor, money, privacy, publicity, or intellectual property. Note that publishing and digital media rights are important topics that show business lawyers take into consideration when reviewing contracts.
2. Offer Legal Advice
Show business lawyers also provide a substantial amount of legal advice. If a person or company is drafting a talent agreement, trying to obtain trademark or copyright registration, or procuring resources for a project, they will often seek the counsel of a show business lawyer. Entertainment lawyers can guide clients through various processes, including production liability assessment and space and equipment acquisition. The information these lawyers provide can protect their clients’ rights, finances, and reputation. It can also ensure that certain clients retain ownership of their work even as it undergoes a series of edits and modifications.
3. Defend Clients
There are some entertainment lawyers who are more involved in the litigation aspect of their vocation. If someone files a lawsuit against their clients, these lawyers will take it upon themselves to defend them in court. Some cases that entertainment lawyers participate in take place in state and federal courts while others occur in the presence of entertainment guilds. Wherever their cases are held, show business lawyers do their best to protect the legal and financial interests of their clients.
Though entertainment law can be a demanding and complex field, there are many who have mastered it and have helped a significant number of clients navigate the glamorous and, at times, confounding world of entertainment. Without the lawyers working in this field, the industry would not be able to function nor would it be able to disseminate its artistic creations.