Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Entertainment / Sports legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
California Entertainment / Sports Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Hi everyone, I recently purchased an sNFT through the platform Opulous, which promised a percentage of music royalties

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased an sNFT through the platform Opulous, which promised a percentage of music royalties from an album by the artist Kyle. Unfortunately, Opulous later canceled the sNFT, claiming it wasn’t profitable, but Kyle still received the money I invested.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 26, 2024

You may have potential grounds to pursue legal action, but there are several challenges to consider. Filing a lawsuit in Los Angeles, especially as a non-citizen, could be complex and costly. Jurisdictional issues might arise, and you would need to prove that the court in Los Angeles has the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: What happens if you co-wrote a screenplay and intend to sell it, but your co-author goes insane (not a joke) and MIA?

I own a shared piece of intellectual property (screenplay) with a writing partner. My partner had a psychotic break, stopped taking his bi-polar medication, was briefly institutionalized, blocked all communication from me and hasn’t been seen by anyone in weeks. Is the script dead because he’s... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 3, 2024

Navigating the situation with your co-author can be challenging, especially given their current circumstances. Since you co-wrote the screenplay, both of you generally have equal rights to the work, which complicates matters when one party is unresponsive. It's important to gather all... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Searching for the proper royalty credits in this case.

Original agreement -music producer who is also a well-known musician, wanted to do a project pro bono with me, ran into some funding and this made it possible to get excellent session players, also very well known, they were all paid for their work as session players, so they are not considered in... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 21, 2023

When collaborating on a musical project, royalty splits are typically governed by the agreement between the parties. In the absence of a written agreement, contributions to the underlying composition (i.e., the songwriting) and the sound recording (i.e., the actual performance and production) are... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: Can I legally create an app for watching movies and shows together from various streaming platforms?

This app allows you to log in using profiles from various streaming services like Netflix, Max, Disney+, and more. It enables you to watch movies and TV shows with friends and family, not through screen sharing, but together in a shared viewing experience.

The app will store copies of all... View More

Julie C Hancock
Julie C Hancock
answered on Sep 21, 2023

The app storing copies of all available movies and shows on your server is going to be an issue - this amounts to unlawful copying and performing of a copyrighted work without permission. You should consult a copyright attorney to better understand your legal options.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Internet Law for California on
Q: Dear Sir or Madam, My private messages from Facebook were stolen to make entertainment media. What can I sue them for?

I have proof that the entertainment media in question is about me.

I have been victim of emotional distress. Where due to leaking of my private information, I have been divorced, & i have gotten mentally ill.

I was studying Electrical Engineering with minors in Chemistry, I had... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 10, 2023

Here are the potential legal avenues you might explore:

1. What can I sue them for if my private messages from Facebook were stolen to make entertainment media?

Under California law, you might consider pursuing a case for invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: is it illegal to create an app where users can upload their own mp3 files and play it back, the files are private to the
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 1, 2023

Creating an app where users can upload and play back their own MP3 files can be legally complex. The legality depends on various factors, including copyright law and privacy considerations. To ensure compliance, it's crucial to address copyright issues by verifying that users have the legal... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for California on
Q: Online marble race with bidding entry and paid power-ups legal?

Presume an online livestream of a digital marble race. There are no stakes for winning besides a score for the player on a small leaderboard visible on-screen at all times. Viewers may enter the race by sending a chat message during the setup for the next race. It's first-come first-serve (up... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 25, 2023

I am not aware of any specific California law that directly addresses this specific scenario. However, hosting an online marble race with bidding entry and paid power-ups could potentially raise legal and regulatory issues related to gambling, contests, and online gaming. It's advisable to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Intellectual Property and Internet Law for California on
Q: What type of licence would I need to film a concert and upload the recording on a pay-per-view based platform?

What types of licenses are required to:

1. film a concert

2. subsequently keep it in an archive to be uploaded as a recording

3. recording will be released to public on a platform that offers pay-per-view subscriptions?

also, what are the potential legal issues could... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 14, 2023

To film a concert, you would likely need a performance agreement or license from the event organizer, allowing you to record the event.

Archiving the recorded concert may require obtaining the performers' consent and potentially negotiating a licensing agreement, especially if you plan...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Can certain subjects be illegal to write about in fictional stories?

I published a book on a story sharing website that focuses on the long term effects of sexual abuse. The main character is a 16 year old girl and her abuser is much older. There are some graphic sexual scenes, but they’re to paint just how horrible her situation is. I understand it’s a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 14, 2023

While fictional works often receive protection under the First Amendment, certain subjects, particularly those involving explicit sexual content or minors, can raise legal concerns. If your story contains explicit content involving a minor, it could potentially be subject to laws addressing child... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Business Law for California on
Q: I have a graphics company and have teamed with a certifed NIL agent and want to produce sports trading cards what legal?

Since NIL is fairly new what are the boundries of using photos, guarding the players Name Image and Likeness. The Sports Cards are custom made and packaged for the athlete. This a specialty business on a new platform. Each card is customized for the platform

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 20, 2023

When producing sports trading cards that feature athletes' Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), it's important to obtain proper consent from the athletes and ensure compliance with licensing agreements and copyright laws. Stay updated on NIL regulations specific to your jurisdiction and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Collections and Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Hi. An Indian citizen here. I wanted to inquire about how to proceed with a pending invoice still not paid by agency.

The entertainment agency is based in California but I'm from India. It's been over 3 months yet the invoice hasn't been paid. As a freelancer I'm not able to afford a lawyer yet. Kindly advice on what to do.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 31, 2023

In your situation, where you are based in India and the entertainment agency is located in California, there are a few steps you can consider taking. First, initiate direct communication with the agency, preferably in writing, to remind them of the outstanding invoice and politely request payment.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: If a person signs a contract isn't it there legal right to have a copy of it?

A porn actress signed a long term contract for a specific amount of money yrly. That amount hasn't been paid. She's asked for a copy of her contract. The production company refuses to provide it. What has to be done to force the company to produce the contract?

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on May 21, 2023

Your question crosses several areas of law- Contract, employment and entertainment law, so the answer is not so easy or quick. Basically the answer is "YES" the entertainer is entitled to a copy of the contract and any other documents they filed, this would be part of an employment file... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for California on
Q: Could i sue Mobile Strike if they banned me without explanation of what terms i broken and i spent $20k on their game.
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 25, 2023

It may be possible to pursue legal action against Mobile Strike if they banned you without explanation of what terms you broke and you spent $20k on their game. However, the success of such a lawsuit would depend on several factors, including the terms of service that you agreed to when signing up... View More

Q: I am an artist, can I recreate royalty free pictures of professional sports teams via sketch art and sell them on Etsy?

I am considering creating a series of sketch art based on professional sports teams, e.g. Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer etc... Just want to make sure I won't be sued if I create these using royalty free images and sell them online on digital market places like Etsy or Amazon.

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 1, 2023

The terms of the copyright "license" will dictate how royalty free content can be used. Using content in a way that the license doesn't authorize it to be used will run afoul of the law.

Sports teams are notorious for going hard in the paint to prevent others from misusing...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: Can I sell products that incorporate names/quotes from a television series?

I operate a Facebook group based on a popular television show, and it has grown to over 100,000 members. We are considering monetizing the group to sell apparel, accessories, etc. with quotes and graphics from the show. What is considered copyrighted material, and therefore not able to monetize,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 1, 2023

If you are considering monetizing products based on a popular television show, you should be aware that many elements of the show, including quotes, characters, and names, may be protected by copyright law. The copyright owner of the show has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Is pro wrestling (with predetermined outcomes like WWE and AEW) regulated by Athletic Commission in California?
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 20, 2023

Yes, professional wrestling (including WWE and AEW) is regulated by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) in California. The CSAC oversees the health and safety of participants and enforces rules and regulations related to professional wrestling events in the state. This includes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for California on
Q: If I make a Car Quiz mobile game will I get in trouble? I don't have any permission from any brand, but isn't a racegame

Also I would like to put the cars in Cards, and Packs where you can find them, so It became also a card collecting game

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 20, 2023

If you create a mobile game that uses images or trademarks of car brands without permission, you may be infringing on the intellectual property rights of those brands. This can potentially result in legal action being taken against you.

To avoid potential legal issues, it is recommended...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for California on
Q: I got an offer to play a game for money if I reached the goal in 21 days. They have paid me before for other game offers

This time it’s the run around for like 3-4 weeks they said it would be resolved in 10 days. Now they have stop replying to my emails. I was really depending on that money, now it’s costing me money I don’t have.

Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Feb 5, 2023

You can contact the Labor Commissioner's office by going to their website (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/). Once you get to the main page, click the link for labor law and then click the link for Wages, where you will find out how to file your wage claim. If they can help with your situation,... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Can my clipsite store be completely terminated for DMCA even if I was never warned or able to defend myself

I had a clupstore open on an adult clipsite. I was able to upload MP3 audios and get paid when people purchased them . One day out of nowhere I received an email from the clipsite I did business with and it simply said that my store was permanently terminated and closed due to DMCA. I had never... View More

Lindsay Gunn Spiller
Lindsay Gunn Spiller pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 27, 2022

Using film clips owned by someone else without their authorization violates the copyright. If the film clip was posted online, it might be taken down through the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The DMCA allows individuals to file a complaint with website administrators when they believe... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Will pages of a script used as illustration in an ebook on screenwriting be covered under Fair Use?

I'm writing a 30 to 40-page e-book for screenwriters on how to incorporate hidden movie Easter eggs in their scripts to deepen the meaning of their story and keep viewers coming back to see their movie over and over again.

I'm analyzing three particular movies. Within the... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Oct 5, 2022

Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.... View More

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.