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Entertainment / Sports Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: If a nonprofit owns a film, but gives a portion of the revenue to the filmmakers, who truly owns it?
Donovan A Rodriques
Donovan A Rodriques
answered on Aug 9, 2018

How does the agreement between the filmmakers and nonprofit treat the issue of ownership of the film? How do you know the nonprofit owns it? Are there any documentation evidencing copyright ownership of the film?

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for New York on
Q: Is there a law that governs college scholarship contract provisions regarding behavior or conduct outside of athletics?

What can a team prevent athletes from doing on their own time?

Gregory J. Tarone
Gregory J. Tarone
answered on Jul 21, 2018

Yes, and no, and to a certain extent it depends on the institution providing the scholarship and what the rule is. There is no specific "law" for it. That is, no state or federal statutes that apply. Scholarships are contracts governing the rights of the parties -- and that is where you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for Florida on
Q: Can minor league baseball players unionize?
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jul 20, 2018

Certainly.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Entertainment / Sports for Texas on
Q: Question about dealing with dishonest practices by a Austin based company, Megolamedia. Want to know if I have a case.

I was on this season’s Skin Tight Show. Due to complications, my second surgeries were postponed. My surgeon called me at 3:00 Friday afternoon. They had gotten a call from TLC’s Megolamedia saying that they are not paying for my second surgeries, & they cancelled my surgery at the hospital... View More

Justin Charles Roberts
Justin Charles Roberts pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 7, 2018

Without more information (including seeing the agreement), it's difficult to determine whether or not you have a case. However, it generally sounds like you may need an attorney who can handle breach-of-contract cases, or potentially an attorney who can handle claims under the Deceptive Trade... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Arizona on
Q: Can "Entertainment Inc." Purchase property? Multiple Properties?

If I own an entertainment corporation can I purchase property in my corporations name. I want to purchase 2 commercial properties. Both will be a storage/warehouse for equipment but in separate states because I provide entertainment services in different states and hate shipping equipment back... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jun 8, 2018

Provided your corporation's governing documents allow it, your corporation can purchase real estate. Check with a lawyer in each state where you plan to purchase property. You may need to register your corporation as a foreign corporation doing business in each state. Your local lawyer will know.

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3 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for New Jersey on
Q: I need an entertainment attorney to look over a music feature contract that is 9 pages long. I have a budget.
H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Jun 6, 2018

Good lawyers are never cheap and generally cheap lawyers are never good. If the contract is important to you never skimp on a lawyer. Remember in life in general, including lawyers you get what you pay for. As for the contract in general most lawyers know contract law as it is first year law... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Entertainment / Sports for Maryland on
Q: Can Delaware north sports group at Camden yards take a non profit volunteer without permission of the sub contractors
John Espinosa
John Espinosa
answered on May 28, 2018

This sounds like a matter of contract. Have any attorney review the applicable contracts with your subcontractors to determine if you need their pernission or not.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Entertainment / Sports for New York on
Q: Is it possible to use fictional characters from tv shows in music under transformative usage?

Like an empathic autobiography.

Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on May 14, 2018

In theory, yes it is possible. An attorney would need to know more about the work to give an opinion on whether the particular use is transformative.

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for Florida on
Q: If you want to create an internet tv show how do you protect your intellectual property before posting your content?
John Espinosa
John Espinosa
answered on May 12, 2018

Register it with the copyright office: https://copyright.gov/registration/

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Do screenwriters need any sort of professional liability insurance?
John Espinosa
John Espinosa
answered on May 12, 2018

Yes, a professional liability insurance policy also known as errors and omissions. Can you do business without it? Sure, but then you take the risk.

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for New York on
Q: Can a high school athlete hire an agent to represent them in choosing a college?
Gregory J. Tarone
Gregory J. Tarone
answered on May 8, 2018

Yes, but then he or she loses all amateur eligibility to compete in NCAA and other organizations' athletics, but not necessarily the Olympics. An amateur athlete cannot have an agent. It is entirely legitimate to engage the services of a lawyer on a fee basis for legal advice and guidance,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Criminal Law, Education Law and Personal Injury for Kentucky on
Q: HS Basketball coach made my son switch his shorts with another players shorts that had blood on it during a game.

Is that legal, exposing him to someone else's blood like that?

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 29, 2018

Not prudent but not criminal unless the blood was infected, the Coach knewcor should have know it was infected, and intended harm to your son.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Immigration Law and Entertainment / Sports for Florida on
Q: I'm a songwriter from the Netherlands that recently signed a music publishing contract with an American company.

Does that mean I can apply for a immigration visa?

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Apr 19, 2018

It Depends on the level of skill and what you have accomplished in your field. If you have the necessary recognition and achievements in your career, you may qualify for an O visa. Discuss in private with counsel.

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1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Criminal Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can I be prosecuted if I am a fan refusing to leave a high school sports game (soccer), and the referee asks me to?

I witnessed this happen last fall at a regional tournament, although the guy the ref kicked out was not being offensive to the ref or threatening him. He never cussed him out or anything like that either. He just happened to be the loudest one there. Though this situation has never happened to me... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 18, 2018

The ref does not have the authority to eject or remove anyone from the game or stadium and you do not have to leave. However, if school officials ask you to leave the game, you should leave becacuase if you remain you could be arrested and charged with Criminal Trespass.

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for Arizona on
Q: Can Gaming Events offer cash prizes if children enter the event?

People pay to enter a gaming event, things often referred to as "E-Sports". These events offer cash prize pools based on percentages for placement. If children are present, and/or enter the gaming event, are there laws and restrictions the Gaming Event Organizers should be aware of to... View More

Carrie A. Ward
Carrie A. Ward
answered on Apr 15, 2018

You will need to make sure the structure of your game does not trigger an illegal lottery concern. Illegal lotteries consist of 3 elements: (1) provision of a prize; (2) chance; and (3) consideration (i.e., money is paid to play). Event organizers should consult experienced promotions and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports and Trademark for North Carolina on
Q: Dealing with an issue whether I'm able to use multiple song titles on a website that creates profit without song content

Creating a website that creates profit, however, I want to know if I'm able to use song titles without any of their physical content (for example without their lyrics or digital media). I only need the titles.

Thank you for your time.

Jason Brooks
Jason Brooks
answered on Apr 13, 2018

I’m inclined to say yes, but definitely would need more info regarding the intended use. Feel free to email me at: Jason@altviewlawgroup.com to discuss

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming and Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: I want to know if I can sue a mobile game app.

I believe the game uses deceptive practices to confuse and trick players into purchasing things that seem like a good buy but in reality it almost always a terrible buy. They usually show a box containing like 10 items and they tell you that you have a random chamce at one of the items. But... View More

Jason Brooks
Jason Brooks
answered on Apr 3, 2018

The beauty (and more often, the detriment) of our American legal system is that anyone can sue somebody for anything -- the more pertinent question to ask here is: Do I have a *legitimate* lawsuit against this mobile developer for their allegedly unfair/deceptive business practices? To that, the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for California on
Q: I own a gaming website that blogs and reviews to promote gaming companies.

My question would be am I allowed to take my own in-game screenshots and use these images on my websites to avoid copyright infringements or violations? I have scoured the internet to find a reasonable and safe way to use images from big game titles. If this is not allowed are there any way... View More

Carrie A. Ward
Carrie A. Ward
answered on Mar 27, 2018

You will need permission from the gaming companies to use images of their game that you are using in a promotional context. Taking screenshots from your own game and then using them for commercial purposes is not advisable.

2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Communications Law and Libel & Slander for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can you tell a true story on a podcast, change names and locations and it be legal? Can a teacher do this?

Is this libel if names are not used and locations are not mentioned? What defines Libel?

Jennifer Price
Jennifer Price
answered on Apr 19, 2018

As an initial matter, libel consists of the written word, whereas slander is the spoken word. Whether its' libel or slander, they require the information to be false. The defense to a libel or slander lawsuit is the truth. To answer your other question, yes, you can tell stories of people by... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for Florida on
Q: Is a satire I've created based on another work considered fair use? Can I sell it?
Ivan  Parron
Ivan Parron
answered on Mar 21, 2018

"Fair Use" is not an affirmative right, it is only a defense. In other words, you would have to be sued first and use the "Fair Use" arguments as a defense. You should consult with an experienced entertainment lawyer before taking any action or inaction.

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