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!