Privacy Law attorney Joe Bahgat is in the unique position of having been a professional entertainer himself for several years before becoming a lawyer.
What many people refer to as “entertainment law” is more aptly known as media law, which is a broad and fast-growing area of the law that includes legal topics such as the Internet, information technology & online services, defamation, broadcasting & advertising, copyright, confidentiality, contempt, privacy, censorship, freedom of information, and First Amendment.
An artist or entertainer makes a living through his or her artistic output and likeness or image. The rights surrounding the output and image are subject to intellectual property (IP) laws, meaning that trademarked and copyrighted materials and images cannot freely be used by the public at large. The law helps artists and entertainers protect their works against infringers. It also allows them to license their work legally to those who want to use it.
Soft Intellectual Property
“Soft” intellectual property has to do with these rights, and includes copyrights and trademarks. (“Hard” intellectual property has to do with patents.) Here at The Privacy Firm, we handle several areas of IP, including:
- Copyright protection
- Trademark protection
- DCMA take-down notices
- Cease-and-desist letters
- Litigation against copyright and trademark violators
Clearing Copyrights & Obtaining Licenses
For a non-copyright-holder to legally use another’s materials or likeness, he or she must obtain clearance or the appropriate license. We can help both the licensor and licensee navigate the law surrounding IP. There are a few different types of licenses, including:
- A mechanical license, where the licensee is granted limited rights to the intellectual property in a way that is agreed-upon by both parties, and
- A compulsory license, where a set fee is paid to the copyright holder to use the intellectual property.
Legal Management of Event Promotion
It’s wise to consult an attorney during the planning stages of your event. Depending on the nature and location of the event, you may have to obtain permits or licenses or take steps to reduce your liability. You should also have all contracts related to the event reviewed by a lawyer.
With years of experience handling a variety of cases, The Privacy Firm has the skills to take care of all your media and entertainment law needs. Contact us today.
At The Privacy Firm, we have experience representing professional & amateur athletes, musicians, visual artists, photographers, film makers, actors, authors, and composers in a variety of legal matters ranging from contract negotiation, intellectual property licensing, and endorsements, to litigation & arbitration, and even criminal defense. Because we’ve been in the business, we understand your concerns, and we know how to deal with things like unwanted media attention. We also offer something that the bigger firms can’t: concierge-like personal service, available to our clients 24 hours a day.
Contact us today to learn more about the advantages of lawyering up with The Privacy Firm.