Get free answers to your Entertainment / Sports legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Ohio
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answered on Jul 20, 2024
Creating and uploading amateur pornography in Texas is generally legal, provided that all participants are consenting adults. It's crucial to ensure that everyone involved is over the age of 18 and has given explicit consent to be filmed and have the footage distributed. Failure to verify ages... View More 
Company is planning on laying off its entire staff (sales, creative development, VFX, post production, accounting, and beyond) and rehiring everyone as freelancers for less pay and without benefits. Is this legal?
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answered on Jun 24, 2024
Hi! I can offer some general information about this situation:
1. At-will employment: In most states, including California, employment is generally "at-will," meaning employers can terminate employees for any reason that isn't illegal (such as discrimination or retaliation).... View More
I have a patreon where I transcribe scenes (movies, television, video games, etc...) for actors to practice with. Would it be legal for me to add a link to a 30s-60s clip of the scene for reference if its unlisted-demonetized on youtube? Also, does the use of overseas media change anything?
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answered on Jun 19, 2024
Here are a few thoughts on linking to copyrighted content on Patreon, but please note that this shouldn't be taken as legal advice:
In general, linking to copyrighted material, even if it's unlisted and demonetized on YouTube, could still be considered copyright infringement... View More
For the final round, everyone pays $5 per bingo card. The first person to fill their entire card wins the pot, sometimes it's over $1000. Is this completely legal and is there anything to watch out for?
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answered on Jun 12, 2024
Whether a bingo game where players pay for cards and win a cash prize is legal depends on the jurisdiction. Here are some general considerations to keep in mind:
1. Legal Framework
- Gambling Laws: Many regions have specific laws regulating gambling, which include games like bingo.... View More
For the final round, everyone pays $5 per bingo card. The first person to fill their entire card wins the pot, sometimes it's over $1000. Is this completely legal and is there anything to watch out for?
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answered on Jun 12, 2024
It depends. Under Georgia law, most bingo games require licensing, however, recreational bingo is a nonprofit bingo game or a bingo game operated by an employer with ten or more full-time employees for the purpose of providing a safe workplace incentive and is not subject to the licensing... View More
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answered on May 29, 2024
In New York, volunteer sports programs generally have the authority to set conduct standards for their volunteer coaches, including policies about alcohol consumption. These programs aim to ensure the safety and well-being of the participants, maintain a professional environment, and set a positive... View More
I'm curious to know how the trademark works and copyright of the images.
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answered on Apr 29, 2024
There are a few intellectual property considerations to keep in mind here:
Copyright: The Iron Giant character and images from the film are likely protected by copyright, which is held by Warner Bros. Entertainment. Using copyrighted images of the Iron Giant on darts you plan to sell,... View More
I wrote the music and helped them write words. They pressed up copies and won't well them to me at cost. I never gave permission to use any of the music I made and wrote. When I asked to buy copies st cost, they said no. That I would have to buy them. The concerts we all played made the money... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2024
In situations where multiple individuals collaborate on creating music, it's crucial to establish clear agreements regarding ownership, distribution, and compensation. If you've contributed to the creation of music and lyrics but haven't given permission for their use, you may have... View More
I wrote the music and helped them write words. They pressed up copies and won't well them to me at cost. I never gave permission to use any of the music I made and wrote. When I asked to buy copies st cost, they said no. That I would have to buy them. The concerts we all played made the money... View More
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answered on Apr 8, 2024
From what you've described, it does seem reasonable that you should be able to obtain copies of the CDs containing music you wrote and helped create, either for free or at cost. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. Copyright: If you wrote the music, you likely own the copyright to... View More
The film is about a pregnant woman and the camera pans to show some of the pregnancy and parenting books she is reading. The books are not mentioned or quoted, only the titles and authors are shown. The plan is to create our own cover art but use the actual titles and authors.
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answered on Apr 6, 2024
When featuring the title and author of a book in your short film without using the cover art, you need to consider both copyright and trademark law.
1. Copyright Law: Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including literary works such as books. Displaying the title and... View More
The film is about a pregnant woman and the camera pans to show some of the pregnancy and parenting books she is reading. The books are not mentioned or quoted, only the titles and authors are shown. The plan is to create our own cover art but use the actual titles and authors.
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answered on Apr 6, 2024
In most cases, simply showing the title and author of a book in a film without using the cover art would be considered fair use and not require permission from the copyright holder. This is because you are not reproducing a substantial portion of the copyrighted work.
However, there are a... View More
I want to host survivor pools (contestants pick a winner of an NFL game each week) and season long contests (contestants will create a lineup each week picking from a pool of NFL players, accumulating a score correlating to how the NFL player performs that week). Is this legal? Are these... View More
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answered on Apr 6, 2024
The legality of hosting fantasy football contests for money depends on the specific laws of the jurisdiction where you plan to operate the website. In the United States, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 includes a carve-out for certain fantasy sports contests, deeming... View More
I want to host survivor pools (contestants pick a winner of an NFL game each week) and season long contests (contestants will create a lineup each week picking from a pool of NFL players, accumulating a score correlating to how the NFL player performs that week). Is this legal? Are these... View More
answered on Apr 3, 2024
Many states have laws specifically addressing gambling. Some have exceptions for "games of skill," but the definitions and interpretations vary. In most states, to avoid gambling issues, there have to be no entry fees and prizes must be predetermined and not based on entry fee totals.
I have some nonmonetary videos on YouTube and they're like slideshows of pictures of me. In some of them I'm at my boyfriend's parents old house. I took the pictures and they're just of me no one else but the background is inside one of the rooms of his parents old house. In the... View More
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answered on Mar 30, 2024
Based on the information provided, it is unlikely that your ex-boyfriend or his parents would have a valid basis for a copyright claim on your videos. Here's why:
1. Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as photographs, videos, and other creative content. In this case,... View More
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answered on Mar 19, 2024
If you're receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it's important to understand that this program has strict rules about reporting income and assets. Winnings from gambling, such as the $2,000 and $4,000 you mentioned, count as income in the month they are received and could be... View More
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answered on Mar 8, 2024
As a filmmaking student wanting to use DC Comics characters in your project, you should follow the proper channels to obtain permission and avoid potential copyright issues. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Determine the rights needed: Identify which characters you want to use and in... View More
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answered on Mar 5, 2024
Parodying a song for commercial purposes requires careful navigation of copyright and trademark laws, even when the intent is to create a humorous or satirical advertisement. When you consider using a melody or lyrics similar to the "Oompa Loompa" song from "Charlie and the Chocolate... View More
I am an independent musician who has been in dispute with a social media platform. If I feel I was discriminate against for several reasons and can prove it, and would like to take legal action. Do I contact a civil rights attorney, or a music attorney? Thanks in advance.
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answered on Mar 2, 2024
Based on the details provided, you have a few options in terms of legal representation:
- Civil rights attorney - If you feel you were discriminated against by the social media platform based on your protected class status (race, religion, gender, etc.), then consulting a civil rights... View More
I am an independent musician who has been in dispute with a social media platform. If I feel I was discriminate against for several reasons and can prove it, and would like to take legal action. Do I contact a civil rights attorney, or a music attorney? Thanks in advance.
answered on Mar 15, 2024
A civil rights attorney is a usual starting point for matters in involving discrimination. It isn't fully clear by what you mean by music attorney - music contract terms dispute, music intellectual property rights, royalties? Maybe with additional details, an attorney could better determine... View More
I am an independent musician who has been in dispute with a social media platform. If I feel I was discriminate against for several reasons and can prove it, and would like to take legal action. Do I contact a civil rights attorney, or a music attorney? Thanks in advance.
answered on Apr 2, 2024
For a dispute with a social media platform where you believe discrimination occurred, a civil rights attorney would be the best first contact. Music attorneys typically handle issues related to contracts, royalties, and intellectual property within the music industry itself.
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