Legal Ease
LEGAL EASE: OPTIONING A FOREIGN FILM FOR AN ENGLISH REMAKE (3/19/2012)
I am optioning a German film to do an English-language remake. Anything special I need to worry about? Well, according to the Greeks, you may have a lot to worry about. The German may grant some rights to you but only if you agree to -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: “NO SOPA FOR YOU” (1/30/2012)
The statements and opinions expressed below are those of the lawyers who write them. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Film Independent or its directors, officers and staff. Film Independent does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of those statements or -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: WE STARTED IT TOGETHER, BUT NOW I WANT TO GO IT ALONE (1/03/2012)
From the archives Q: 12 plus years ago a colleague came to me with a high concept logline for a TV series. I created the characters and most of the bible, even wrote a pilot. Through some bad decisions on his part, we went with -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: THIS CAN’T BE RIGHT…BY SIGNING THIS UNSOLICITED SUBMISSION AGREEMENT I’M BASICALLY GIVING UP MY RIGHTS? (12/05/2011)
Q: Here’s a quote from an unsolicited submission agreement I was sent. “I hereby grant to you the non-exclusive right to use any or all of the Material for any and all purposes, in perpetuity.” Am I missing something or do I understand this correctly -- continue reading →
ARCHIVAL LEGAL EASE: WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH “BASED ON” VS. “INSPIRED BY”? (10/27/2011)
Q: I have a question regarding the rights needed to make a film “based on” a book, and/or “inspired by” a book.First of all, is there a legal difference between these two terms?It seems that one implies a more direct adaptation (“based on”) and the -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: MY TITLE IS THEIR TITLE – NOW WHAT? (10/10/2011)
Q: I’m in the process of wrapping up a movie. I just discovered that the title we’ve been using, and the title I love, was the title of a little known [major studio] film from back in the 70’s. Can I still use the title? -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: IS THIS PRODUCER TRYING TO PULL SOMETHING OVER ON ME? (9/19/2011)
Q: I just had someone send me an option agreement. I’m not going to lie… a lot of it is legal mumbo jumbo that I don’t fully understand but seems harmless. There’s one thing though that seems really weird. It says that the Producer is -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: How can I use my “dream song” in my film? (8/22/2011)
Q: There’s a song on one of my favorite albums that I’ve always thought would be perfect in a movie.I’ve been making movies for a few years now and finally have a project that the song is perfect for. Who do I need to contact -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: How do I safely name my new production company? (8/05/2011)
Q: My friends and I recently formed a production company that we plan to use to produce straight-to-DVD movies. We really like the name we picked and think it’s really distinctive. When we formed the company, we had to do a name search with the -- continue reading →
LEGAL EASE: If historical events/figures are open game for the public to write about, when is it necessary to secure nonfiction book rights? (6/06/2011)
Q: I read in the trades that Fox bought the rights to the nonfiction book The Floor of Heaven which is based on an historical figure during an historical event. If historical events/figures are open game for the public to write about, when is it -- continue reading →
