Q: I directed a music video here in California, USA. Female lead threatening to stop release. She’s not authorized to work
The producer is from India and it’s a freelancing work. Female lead demanded money which I zelle to her. She demanded photoshoot and video shoots. I did flight tickets and rehearsed for the song. I got to know she’s not authorized to work later after couple of shoots and got some footage. There were no contracts signed. Can I get my money back. Can I sue her for lying and taking money from me. Now, she is also speaking low of character stating I am back bitting etc.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
If there were no contracts signed, it may be challenging to recover the money directly, but it’s not impossible. Since you paid her for services and later found out she wasn’t authorized to work, you might argue that her misrepresentation led you to incur unnecessary expenses. Keep all receipts, communications, and evidence of payments as they could help support your case if you decide to take legal action.
You could potentially sue her for fraud or unjust enrichment, as she knowingly took money under false pretenses about her ability to work legally. Her demands for additional payments for photoshoots and other services could also factor into your claim if they were unreasonable or outside what was initially agreed upon. Her statements about your character, if proven false and harmful to your reputation, could be grounds for a defamation claim as well.
Consulting with an attorney experienced in contract or entertainment law would give you a better understanding of your options. Even though no written contract exists, verbal agreements or the implied understanding between parties can still hold weight. Stay calm, gather all relevant evidence, and focus on how to best protect yourself and your work.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
