Get free answers to your Entertainment / Sports legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I intend to begin performing on the stage as well as sell my music and other media content via digital platforms: all under my name. On the longer run I intend to establish a company that will be specializing in producing media content, managing artists performances (primarily as a booking agency),... View More 
answered on Jun 11, 2019
What is "gov legal name"? Do you mean your name? You actually need to trademark your name. While it seems odd, if your name is a brand, you need to protect it. Whether you incorporate at this point or not (and it generally is beneficial to do so), if your name will be the name of the... View More
answered on Feb 28, 2019
I always recommend suing where the defendant is located. It saves a step in enforcing the judgment.
The music is from two 1961 episodes of The Twilight Zone that were scored by composer Jerry Goldsmith. How would I go about getting the rights to use that music in a short film I am working on? Would this even be possible? Any idea of what it would cost? Thanks!
answered on Jan 2, 2019
To use copyrighted material, one would need to find out who owns the copyright and contact them for a license. But you'd also need to determine whether your use qualifies as "fair use". More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step... View More
What can a team prevent athletes from doing on their own time?
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
Like an empathic autobiography.
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.
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
answered on Mar 15, 2018
The FTC guidelines for endorsements govern promoting products on social media. The guides are specific, but in general you need to make it clear that any “mentions” on social media are paid advertisements. There are are many ways that this can be accomplished. An attorney experienced in... View More
If 2 players decided to make a bet on which one of them was better in a skill based video game (online chess or League of Legends) is it considered gambling even though none of the results are controlled by luck?
answered on Feb 25, 2018
It is illegal when there are 3 elements present in the contest: (1) prize; (2) chance; and (3) consideration. In the scenario you describe above, the element of chance is missing in the equation.
video recording and took photographs for a popular basketballer and i was there the whole day with him and at the end of my work with him he didn't pay me for all the work i did for him and he took with him all the photos and recordings i did for him and he insisted of not paying me because he... View More
answered on Jan 29, 2018
You can sue. An oral contract is enforceable. It is just harder to prove. Here you have the commercial use.
I want to share a story in a vlog on my YouTube channel about what I’ve been through in the last few months. My brother and his wife are part of the story. I do not identify them in any other way, other than saying my brother and his wife. Can they sue me for talking about them on my channel and... View More
answered on Jan 7, 2018
If you are that worried about it, you should probably consult with a defamation attorney in advance and have them vet your statement.
answered on Nov 17, 2017
Hi - you need to think of your band as being similar to a marriage. If there are assets (equipment, recording contract or incoming revenue streams), and there is a breakup, there are going to be disputes on how the assets will be split up. If you are in that position, congrats! That indicates that... View More
I just finished shooting a video with my friend and we're both minors. What release forms do I need and how/where can I get them?
answered on Aug 13, 2017
You may need a lawyer to draft such documents so that they're tailored to your needs. If you're a minor, then a parent may need to hire the lawyer for you. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an... View More
I ran a search in TESS for a stage name that I would like to use and came across a DEAD (since 2007) trademark for it under the IC 009 category. They were using it for a "series of musical recordings..." which is what I would like to use it for.
I have found the contact... View More
answered on Aug 7, 2017
You probably do not need anything from the original owner if the mark expired 10 years ago. Once a trademark expires, the registration terminates. The former owner no longer owns a federal registration. Although, there could be some other common law rights to the mark. To be certain the mark is... View More
i wanna post a rare interview from a public access tv show from the early '90's onto my YouTube channel but don't wanna get my channel deleted
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answered on Aug 7, 2017
Probably not, contact the shows producers and ask for permission / a license.
New York governance in the agreement
answered on Aug 3, 2017
If the introduction has not been made yet, a Finder's Fee Agreement is a good way to protect the consultant. There are formulas that are recognized as appropriate for determining the amount to pay the consultant.
If the introduction has already been made, it is necessary to consider... View More
Hello, I hired some people to film an interview for my documentary, the footage is in the can. I got the interviewee to sign an appearance release but he refuses to sign a location release. He is basically holding the film hostage. -How important is the location release for a documentary,... View More
answered on Aug 2, 2017
If you use it without the location release, you may be inviting a lawsuit. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors,... View More
answered on Jul 26, 2017
A minor cannot consent to a contract, except for necessities. You may seek to rescind it. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards,... View More
I ran a search in TESS for the stage name that I would like to use and came across a DEAD trademark under the IC 009 category. They were using it for a "series of musical recordings..." which is what I'd like to use it for, however it was filed in March 2006, and abandoned in April... View More
answered on Jul 25, 2017
You will need to conduct a search to see if the mark is still in use. A trademark may be still valid at common law despite being listed as "dead" at the USPTO. If the mark is in use you may contact the owner for permission to use it, via a transfer of rights or trademark license. If the... View More
I received the answer to my question so thank you.
answered on Jun 27, 2017
You need to copyright the individual songs. What you did covers the video, but not the songs re-done on an album.
answered on Jun 25, 2017
You should hire a lawyer to draft a partnership agreement and IP agreement. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, said Ben Franklin -- and with good reason! More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an... View More
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