Does Copyright Protect Film Characters?

A production company in California, Bengal Mangle Productions, has filed a lawsuit against Seth MacFarlane alleging copyright infringement over the 2012 movie about a foul-mouthed stuffed toy “Ted”.

Upcoming Entertainment Law Seminar

Chicago’s leading Entertainment Law firm, Leavens, Strand, Glover & Adler, is pleased to announce its inaugural Entertainment Law Seminar: What In-House Lawyers Must Know About Exploiting Creative Content

5 #Legal Questions to Ask BEFORE Starting Your #Crowdfunding Project

Five Legal Questions To Ask BEFORE Crowd-funding You Next Film (or Creative) Project Intro I recently had the opportunity to share the stage at a Chicago VentureShot Community panel presentation on crowdfunding an independent film project. My client successfully raised enough funds to produce his film through the Crowdfunding site KickStarter.com. Due to the unpredictable […]

YouTube Content ID – A Must for Every Indie Filmmaker or Musician

Are you getting the most out of your online marketing efforts? Last year, Google announced a change to its search rankings algorithm, lowering results for known pirate sites. Critics asked why the company would not do the same for Youtube, since that site is widely viewed as a repository for pirated films and music. Read […]

NOVAC Provides Local Filmmakers Financing and Guidance on Making Deals

April 11, 2012 Via Chris Henson, New Orleans Indie Movie Examiner “The film industry in New Orleans, and in Louisiana in general, is booming. But it is not only the major studio productions coming to the Crescent City. Independent filmmaking has also exploded in the area. Non-profit organizations like the New Orleans Video Access Center […]

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 […]