Los Angeles Entertainment Lawyers
The entertainment industry involves a wide range of people, companies, and contracts. Whether you’re starting a new project or need someone to review the terms of a new contract, Los Angeles entertainment lawyers are your best option.
In this article, you’ll learn more about Los Angeles entertainment lawyers so you know whether or not you need one.
Los Angeles Entertainment Lawyers
Most people are familiar with entertainment lawyers due to the high-profile cases they manage for big-name celebrities. We hear about them in the news, learn about the roles they play in helping artists and companies protect or enforce their own rights.
But this is far from the full picture. The truth is that virtually every creative professional involved in the creation of published works will eventually need the services of a Los Angeles entertainment lawyer, regardless of their level of fame.
If you are an artist who has been considering reaching out to an entertainment lawyer for help, but you aren’t sure if your situation warrants the need, we want to help. The information in this guide will help you better understand how a lawyer can help.
Here’s what you need to know about Los Angeles entertainment lawyers.
What Is Entertainment Law?
Entertainment law is an umbrella term that encompasses every area of law that influences the entertainment industry, including fine art, performance art, television, publishing, movies, media, advertising, the Internet, and the news.
Cases may include:
- Libel
- Slander
- Copyright
- Contracts
- Defamation
- Censorship
- Advertising
- Moral rights
- Artist rights
- Broadcast law
- Privacy rights
- Producer rights
- Buyer’s rights
- Model agreements
- Author agreements
- Talent agreements
- Personality rights
- Producer agreements
- Chain of title issues
- Freedom of Information
- Synchronization rights
- Co-production agreements
- Music industry negotiation
- Consignment of creative works
- Intellectual property concerns
- Video game development and licensing
- Production and post-production issues
- Trademarks and/or patents
- Licensing
- Regulatory concerns
- Distribution and/or marketing issues
- Rental and/or real estate agreements
- High-profile family law
- High-transaction sales and purchases
An entertainment lawyer’s job may also involve fighting for a client’s Constitutional Rights (e.g, freedom of speech).
They might even act as a publicist, PR consultant, or reputation management specialist, especially if a celebrity is involved in a major scandal – such as being charged with a crime.
When to Hire an Entertainment Lawyer
The easiest answer to this question is “yes.” If you are a creative professional or someone who is working in the entertainment industry, it is always in your best interest to create a relationship with a lawyer who understands this area of law.
It also pays to make this connection in advance, rather than only after a problem exists. It is far easier to prevent your rights from being violated than to sue another entity for compensation after you have been disrespected.
Still, there are a few times when hiring an entertainment lawyer is a must.
1. Contract Changes
You should never sign, negotiate, agree to, or adjust a contract that affects you in any legal way without a lawyer’s approval. This is true even if you are satisfied with the terms outlined in the contract. Lawyers can often spot problematic loopholes you can’t.
2. Someone Violates Your Contract
If someone violates the terms of your contract – for example, reselling work without buying the rights – you don’t have to take it lying down. An entertainment lawyer can help you enforce your rights and/or sue for compensation.
3. Someone Steals Your Work
Maybe it was a blog post, or maybe it’s an entire melody within a song. In either case, you have rights. All artists maintain copyright over their creative works from the moment of creation unless they sign those rights away. A lawyer can help file a legal demand to cease and desist or a lawsuit for compensation.
4. You Aren’t Familiar With Your Rights
Not sure if you have the right to your work after a tumultuous relationship with your manager? Working with a company that seems to “skirt the rules” of contract law? Or, maybe you’re an organization that doesn’t fully understand publication laws. The gravity of these issues means that it’s best to avoid opinions from all but the experts.
5. You’re Being Sued
While entertainment lawyers do focus on protecting artists and creative professionals, many also fight for organizations and corporations who use their works, too. If you have been threatened with a lawsuit from an artist or agency, your first call should always be to a lawyer.
Last but not least – you should contact an entertainment lawyer anytime you have an important question about entertainment law. A lawyer is best equipped to give you an informed legal opinion that keeps you safe. Just as you’d go to a doctor for a medical issue, you always want to consult with a lawyer who specializes in the specific type or area of law you’re dealing with.
Are Entertainment Lawyers Expensive?
This is a far more difficult question to answer. The amount a lawyer charge depends on many different factors: how well-known they are, what kind of reputation they have, how educated they are, whether or not they have a proven track record for success, and which issue it is you need assistance with.
For example, having a lawyer review a simple contract will naturally cost far less than having a lawyer sue a movie producer for stealing the rights to your story. Similarly, it will cost less to have a lawyer send a newspaper a cease and desist letter for using your work without permission than it would to sue the paper for defamation.
There are also differences in how entertainment lawyers charge for their services. Some may charge hourly, while others charge only if you “win” your case (called a contingency). Some legal experts work on retainer, instead; this means you pay them a certain amount every so often (usually monthly, quarterly, or yearly) to address all of your needs. This amount covers all or most provided services.
Each of these approaches can be beneficial or harmful to your wallet depending on the situation you’re in.
If you only need a quick review of a contract, it probably isn’t to your advantage to pay for a month-long retainer. If, on the other hand, you need someone to manage all or most of your legal needs throughout your career, it makes more sense to pay a retainer than to nickel and dime every service.
As for a contingency, it works best when legal services are expensive and/or you aren’t completely confident in a successful outcome.
Hiring a Los Angeles Entertainment Lawyer
Ready to make a connection with a world-class entertainment lawyer who can help you protect your interests and your rights? Be cautious of advertising and personal referrals from within the industry, as these can be tainted by personal bias and even misinformation. There is far too much at risk, here, to trust your legal safety to someone who does more harm than good.
Instead, reach out to a legal referral service. As they are regulated by the California Bar and legally required to provide only referrals that are in your best interest, you can be sure that you’ll find your way to someone who is trustworthy AND reliable, too.
Are you in search for a certified attorney to represent you?
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