Online Video: Copyright & Related Issues

Pinterest tightens copyright rules CBS News Unfortunately, given that consumers are putting masses of copyrighted photos onto their boards, that becomes a problem. After all, Pinterest doesn’t want to take the legal heat for making coin on the backs of someone else’s intellectual property. See Also: Pinterest Terms Of Service Get Updated If Web movie views double, […]

Checklist of Provisions for an LLC Operating Agreement For Film Production

It is increasingly common for film producers to use LLCs as a way to raise funds for production and limit liability of the producers and investors. Below is a checklist of provisions that should be discussed with production counsel prior to forming your LLC. 1. Introductory Clauses and Definitions (Both are optional but common; these […]

Four (4) Secrets To Film Funding Success

While almost any project can find traction with someone, few have the capacity to capture a wide audience. So how does a filmmaker, make it? No promises here, but below are traits that I’ve identified in all the filmamkers I’ve worked with who’ve gotten funding and distribution. Know thyself. I have always asked my clients […]

Independent Theater Owners Watch Palm D’or v. Cinemark Case Closely

Independent theater owners across the country feel increasingly squeezed by the top four major theater chains. In a recent California case, Flagship Theatres of Palm Desert, LLC v. Century Theatres, Inc., the plaintiff (Flagship) brought an antitrust action against the owners of a competing theater concerning the distribution and exhibition of motion pictures.

Dark Knight may occupy Wall Street

Although major motion pictures are known for carefully planning out scenes months in advance, Christopher Nolan‘s “The Dark Knight Rises,” which is scheduled to be shot in New York, may get a dose of gritty authenticity by using the protests as a backdrop or a stand-in for something that already exists in the film. See […]

Social Media for the Indie Film Producer

Don’t have time to get to every film Festival? Don’t worry. You can now turn to the Internet and social media to create your own personal film festival. Fast Company today announced the launch of Prescreen, a “social movie discovery platform” that’s designed to “give filmmakers and distributors an alternative to traditional advertising and distribution […]

Weinstein to create new TWC label to focus on Indie films

The Weinstein Company‘s new endeavor will use existing digital distribution channels to deliver new films. have The new as-yet-unamed venture will be headquartered in New York and run by industry veterans Tom Quinn ( Magnolia) and legal consultant Jason Janego. http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2011/09/06/weinstein_co._launches_indie_label_poaches_magnolias_tom_quinn/

Strength In Numbers: Indie Producers Band Together In New Venture

The move is good for indie filmmakers, to protect them against well-heeled financiers and distributors, which should have mobilized such an effort years ago.

EFF: Viacom-You Tube lawsuit threatens DMCA “Safe Harbors”

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and a coalition of advocacy groups filed an Amicus (friend of the court) brief Thursday, arguing that the infringement claims made by Viacom in the appeal of Viacom v. YouTube threaten the “safe harbor” provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The EFF argues that  services like YouTube have […]

Section 181 “Indie” Film Tax Credit Resurrected in Tax Deal

Obama has breathed new life into the Section 181 film tax credit (originally blogged about here) that had expired at the end of 2008. Originally signed into law as part of the 2004 Jobs Creation Act, it has been resurrected as part of the controversial new tax bill. The new tax bill recently signed into law […]