Learn the Legal Lingo...Save Yourself.

For anyone starting his or her own production company, you need to learn the legal lingo. You also need to be aware of what is going on in the entertainment world, legally, to keep yourself safe and protected.

Before you go any further, check out the podcasts of Lawyer2Lawyer.

If you ever use any music in your films, you need to get permission. I cannot stress this point enough. Going a step further, you need to be aware of what is going on in the music industry. Because of the 1976 Copyright Act, there is a new legal battle over song rights. Knowing this will help you be able to figure out what songs are too messy to be able to use right now. Knowing your copyright acts will allow you to keep your copyrights in tact and legal! For more information on this, check out Lawyer2Lawyer’s podcast “The New Legal Battle Over Song Rights.”

Another big concern for your company, legally, is social media. This can be your biggest asset or your biggest downfall. Have you ever heard the phrase “you can’t take it back?” That applies, more than anything, to things put on the Internet. Set up In Lawyer2Lawyer’s podcast “Legal Issues Surrounding Social Media,” some great ideas were presented. Set up Google alerts to see when your name, or your company’s name is posted anywhere. If anything negative is posted, you can contact that person to get it down. Save the e-mail message in case this defamation needs any more legal matter. Do not put anything up on personal social networking sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, photos or messages that would dilute the value of your brand. The privacy settings are never as private as you wish and your valued customers, and audiences will find them. Be constantly aware and updated on your online presence. Make the social networking sites work for you, not against you.

Another big thing talked about by Lawyer2Lawyer in their podcast “The Legal Issue of Blogs, Fair Use and Attribution,” is Fair Use. Get to know Fair Use here. Write blogs, they are great at updating your audience on what is coming up with your production company. It will keep your company and your upcoming movies fresh in the minds of the readers. However, make sure that what you are writing, whatever it may be, gives credit to whoever’s work you use. If you post a funny picture on your Twitter page, let everyone know where you got that picture. If you add music to the background of your website, get permission! If you quote an article written about your company, you need to give credit.

It may seem tedious. But you need to protect yourself. You do not what to be caught up in legal issues surrounding copyrights. Better safe than sorry. Use the resources given to you, such as Lawyer2Lawyer’s podcasts. Now go Google yourself!

Legal Controversies in the Entertainment Industry

One of the biggest controversies to hit television this year was Charlie Sheen.  Charlie Sheen was an actor on the CBS sitcom, Two and a Half Men.  He created a lot of problems with his drug abuse and the show was put on hiatus to send him to rehab.  Shortly there after he made some nasty comments about the creator and the studio (Warner Bros.), prompting Sheen to be fired.  Legal battles ensued after Charlie Sheen being let go.  Recently the legal woes came to an end, but it definitely let the rest of the industry know that they are entitled to pay someone for the work they did.  For more information on the outcome, check out the Los Angles Times article, Charlie Sheen's Legal Dispute Over 'Two and a Half Men' Ends.

Another controversy that struck the entertainment industry this year was Lady Gaga and her “benefit” bracelets.  Basically consumers are saying that they bought these bracelets thinking they were going towards a charity and in reality, Lady Gaga was making quite a profit off of them.  Consumer Protection laws are put in place to help prevent this sort of thing from happening.  These bracelets were to help those in Japan after the earthquake.  And while some of the profits probably made it there, why was she profiting off these bracelets?  This particular lawsuit really gets my fire going.  She makes so much money in her own sales that she has the ability to lend her name to a relief fund over a tragedy.  It bothers me that anyone would want to profit off of that, especially without the public who adores here knowing!  Read more about the lawsuit at Reuters, and how there are people out there looking out for the consumer protection.  The article, reported by Jill Serjeant, Lady Gaga Sued Over Japan Earthquake Charity Bracelets, also shares about how the Michigan legal network, 1800LAWFIRM, is the one that pointed out this allegation.

But of all the controversy happening this past year, my favorite would have to be the reality-stars, the Kardashian’s debit card scandal.  Kim, Khloe, and Kortney, who are unbelievably famous for basically nothing, signed on to have their brand (face/name) but lent to this company to make these debit cards.  But when they heard that the cards had outrageous fees, they pulled out of the deal, and lawsuits followed shortly after.  This could have been avoided if they were to know exactly what they were signing up for beforehand. I believe they should pay the money and move on.  Watch the video, Credit Card Company Sues for Kardashian Kash, and decide for yourself.  I found the Kardashian video posted at newsy.com.

In reality, we’re going to be going through controversy for as long as this industry continues.  But knowing the rules, the laws, and the fine print will help in the long run.