Get free answers to your Entertainment / Sports legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Ohio
I wrote the music for my clients film. I requested half the payment ($900) upfront and half when the project is completed. I nearly completed the project and sent the project to the client for approval before finalizing the music and he decided he did not like it anymore and he did not want me to... View More 
answered on Feb 9, 2021
An attorney who deals with contracts in the entertainment industry could advise best, but you await a response for three weeks. As a general matter, it would probably be difficult for any attorney to comment meaningfully without seeing the requirements of the contract. Additionally, contracts that... View More
I wrote a song and did the music arrangement in Logic Pro X using many royalty free loops to create my song. If I work with a producer who does his own interpretation of my original song via new music production how much ownership do I have regarding the music content?
I copyrighted my... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2020
"Influenced by your original song" may or may not be a derivative work. His audio needs to be compared to your work.
A split sheet is useful. You might want to use a collaboration agreement along with the split sheet.
Please also see my answer on Avvo.
I am writing a book about a true crime story. Some details were published and newspapers and I have details that come specifically from the people who experienced it, including notes of actual conversations and emails. What changes do I need to make to protect myself legally from slander or related... View More
answered on Dec 13, 2020
It is not really possible to catalog all the types of things that can be said and how to change the things that cannot be said. Each one needs to be reviewed in context. Changes involve legal judgments. The one true crime writer I am personally acquainted with is an attorney.
One way to... View More
The channel content will be Information Technology Tutorials.
The channel name goes like Hogwarts______ . Will I be subjected to a copyright or trademark issue?
answered on Dec 11, 2020
Very likely.
I would discourage you from using that name or anything that can be thought or associated with an existing brand.
Consult with an attorney to understand your risks.
I've been operating as a DJ under a certain name since 2016. I'm small-time, but have been paid to perform and have social media profiles registered under my performance name that have been in use since 2016, although I have never registered a trademark or anything.
Today, I found... View More
answered on Dec 8, 2020
Depends on how long you have been using it and if they started using it before you or after.
You may have common law rights.
You should contact an attorney to understand your rights better.
At best you could continue using the name unless they contact you in which case you... View More
We were told: "THE Minnesota State High School League Board of Director's has indicated family choice for school type or athletic opportunity will not be considered in the review process.". We submitted documentation in the review s as stated was told our review is incomplete.... View More
For my logo I’d like to incorporate the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers lightning symbol but don’t know if I can because I don’t know if it is copyrighted/ trademarked.
answered on Nov 24, 2020
This is an interesting question because SCG Power Rangers LLC abandoned one of its Power Rangers registered trademarks (which includes the lightning symbol) back in 2017. Whether or not you can use a trademark without getting in trouble depends on several factors, which can sometimes be clear cut... View More
Can I use a group name and copyright it for entertainment purposes?
answered on Nov 20, 2020
Names that are used to identify the source of goods or services, such as a group providing entertainment services, may be registered as trademarks. This is different from registering literary or musical works for copyright protection. Consult with a trademark attorney for more information.
I write and produce songs. One of the songs contains dialogue from a movie, that I speak in the song. Is that a copyright violation or an infringement to add that dialogue, even though its spoken by myself? It's a total of 19 words.
answered on Nov 2, 2020
Generally speaking, any time copyrighted material is incorporated into a new work you will need permission from the original author. This may be obtained by getting a license to create a derivative work. Copyright issues are complex and each matter is different. It is recommended that you consult a... View More
Do I need two separate LLC's. When filing trademark should it be under the LLC or me as individual?
answered on Oct 25, 2020
No, you can one LLC for both your clothing line and your entertainment line.
However, you should get your federal trademark in two classes, one class for your clothing products, and one class for your entertainment products.
So I design and print custom sports cards myself and recently I have been getting a lot of interest in them. I understand Panini has the sole rights to create and sell NBA cards. Is there a way to sell the cards I create without infringing on Panini’s rights? I’ve heard altering existing... View More
answered on Oct 20, 2020
There is not enough information here to answer this fully, but here are some areas of potential concern:
1) The NBA's rights to the trademarks of teams and their own marks
2) The Teams' rights to their own marks
3) Copyright rights to the photos you're using... View More
I signed up for personal fitness training with a company for 6 months from Dec-2019 to May-2020 ($600 for each month & 10 sessions each month). No services were provided between Mar 2020 to May 2020 due to COVID. The company was not reachable on phone during that time for cancellation enquiry.... View More
answered on Oct 9, 2020
Most lawyers' rates would make legal representation impractical. Look carefully at your contract and see what your options are. Contact your credit card company and have them stop the automatic payments. I suggest you consider filing a small claims suit yourself. If nothing else, it will get... View More
I am hiring a space and offering youth a social area. Should parents sign an indemnity?
Will I need to take out 3rd party insurance or will this fall under the establishments insurance?
Thank you!
Kelly
answered on Oct 1, 2020
Because of public policy considerations, such agreements (as a general matter nationwide) are not as effective as many people believe. You should consider discussing this in greater detail with your attorney and your insurance broker. The second part of your question could depend on the policy.... View More
answered on Sep 29, 2020
There are no US federal trademark records for this EXACT phrase as of the date of this writing. However, you should reach out to a skilled trademark lawyer to do a more fulsome search to see if someone else is using the mark but just hasn't gotten around to filing for a US registration.... View More
if i want to name a musical band "Q Trumpherant" is it taken or available? I want to register it as my musical band's name.
answered on Sep 29, 2020
Hello,
There are no US federal trademark records for this EXACT phrase. However, you should reach out to a skilled trademark lawyer to do a more fulsome search to see if someone else is using the mark but just hasn't gotten around to filing for a US registration. "Common... View More
I landed a drone in nrg parking lot when they were closed. The drone messed up and did an emergency landing. They took my drone and told me they wanted to check the footage then they would return my drone the next day. The next day which was september 16 they kept give me the run around. I found... View More
answered on Sep 21, 2020
Unfortunately, it might not ever be released if it is evidence against you. You may have both civil and criminal liability for the use of the drone, and it is a more serious crime if the facility is classified as critical infrastructure. Your best bet is probably to convince Joe Walters that you... View More
I am a producer on a film production that is following COVID-19 guidelines for the set. We are requiring cast/crew sign an Assumption of Risk and Consent/Release forms. Most templates have an agreement between the individual signing and the "Company." As the director does not have a... View More
answered on Aug 27, 2020
The short answer is no, you don’t need to be a legal entity to contract in this manner. But... Your question raises some potential red flags that aren’t easily discussed in this Q&A forum. I think you would benefit by by seeking the direct advice of an attorney here. If you would Like to... View More
Broken L4 & L5, broken Rt Hip with surgery, shattered pelvic bone with Pelvic Ring insertion surgery
answered on Aug 6, 2020
So sorry to hear about your son's injuries. The local government that owns the park could be liable depending on all the facts and circumstances. The issue is, what did the park or government staff do WRONG; how is it their fault? If you are asking if they are AUTOMATICALLY liable for any... View More
answered on Aug 4, 2020
I recommend you review the TN Wildlife Resources Agency information regarding fishing licenses at this website https://www.tn.gov/twra/license-sales/fishing-licenses.html or give them a call at 615-781-5270. Good luck!
answered on Jul 29, 2020
I’d be happy to help. Email me at: jason@altviewlawgroup.com and we can set up a time to discuss this week.
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