Option Agreement – Ask a Lawyer Series
Option Agreement – Introduction A scriptwriter contacted us, asking what legal issues to be aware of when selling her completed scripts to film producers. Typically, a scriptwriter (let’s call her the “creator”) would enter into an option agreement with a producer interested in producing the film—unless, perhaps, the producer has the funds to produce it […]
Quitclaims – A Creative Legal Tool
Introduction to Quitclaims Quitclaims are legal tools used by producers and creators to ensure that someone or something has given up certain rights in a property. For example, say you are a producer and a great script lands on your desk (or inbox). The creator tells you that it was previously developed by another producer […]
Online Concert Licensing and Royalties – Part 2
The Rights of Online Concerts: This is the second blog about online concert licensing and royalties. In the first blog, I provided a chart that summarized some licensing considerations for online concerts based in Canada. This blog introduces three rights that presenters require with respect to the compositions being performed at commercial online concerts. […]
Force Majeure – What you Need to Know
Force Majeure & Current Events: We all have many questions as we grapple with the sweeping effects of COVID-19 on our professional and personal lives. Many may find it difficult or impossible to perform their contractual obligations given the restrictions imposed in response to the outbreak. If COVID-19 makes it impossible for you to perform […]
COVID-19 Killed My Tour – Rights and Obligations – Part 1 – Venues
Tour – Rights and Obligations: Introduction Tour – Rights and Obligations. We all want to limit health risks at home and in the communities that we visit on tour. As we consider the effects of COVID-19 on the live music industry and our individual roles, here is part one of a series of blogs to […]
Copyright Protection & Classical Music
Copyright Protection & Classical Music Copyright protection & classical music is a widely searched topic. You may be wondering what it (copyright protection) does, well, copyright protection covers original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works of authorship. This is during the lifetime of the author, the remainder of the calendar year in which the author […]
Ask a Lawyer: Relying on Recycling Precedents… No Big Deal? Right?
There are many situations in which a digital media producer would want to get a deal in writing. Perhaps you want an option agreement signed with the creator of a comic that you want to bring to life with a game. Maybe you need a short-form co-production agreement with a new partner for an […]
