Two New Media Lawyers In Meeting

ENTERTAINMENT & NEW MEDIA TRANSACTIONS

Entertainment and new media transactions require attorneys familiar with industry customs, practice, history and precedent — but who are equally mindful of the dramatic changes sweeping the industry as streaming services and other innovative platforms upend established business models.

Deals also require knowledge of intellectual property law, Hollywood unions and guilds, contract law, and often other areas as well, coupled with a sensitivity to business and creative goals.

Our attorneys, with their breadth of experience, are able to bring all this together in service of client needs.

  • Represented a German investment group in connection with a $50 million investment in four motion pictures.
  • Represented an entertainment company in all aspects of its acquisition of a film library consisting of more than 650 films.
  • Provided advice and legal services, including negotiation and documentation, in connection with a motion picture financed from U.K. and South African sources to be shot in South Africa, Kenya and London.
  • Represented numerous providers of technology and technological services to the entertainment industry, including providers in the areas of DVD technology, computer software, special effects and post-production, as to the negotiation and documentation of a variety of transactions.
  • Represented various Internet-based businesses, and creators and users of digital media in various transactions.
  • Represented an L.A.-based online video game creator, producer and publisher regarding projects and corporate finance, including work on various rights agreements.
  • Represented a leading manufacturer of paintball sports equipment and the owner of professional team competing in professional paintball league, including television series financing and theatrical motion picture and television development and production, U.S. XBall League agreements and potential U.S. and European league TV broadcast agreements regarding paintball leagues.
  • Represented a German investor regarding two $30 million plus tax shelter investments in two sets of two motion pictures with two separate major U.S. studios.
  • Provided advice and legal work in connection with the overall plan for digital delivery of a feature film and other related product to theaters and in all ancillary media worldwide.
  • Represented banks and other lenders as to “gap” financing of motion pictures.
  • Represented an executive in the negotiation and documentation of employment and related stock sale agreements in connection with his role as president and CEO of a major provider of services in motion picture industry.
  • Represented a U.S. broadcast group in connection with the creation and structuring of a theatrical U.S. motion picture distribution system involving basic joint venture, 14 exhibition agreements with national theatrical exhibitors, and negotiation and documentation of numerous pickup distribution agreements for motion pictures.
  • Represented foreign studio for over a decade in connection with more than 25 co-productions or studio service agreements using studio services by U.S., Canadian and/or UK-based production companies.
  • Represented investors/producers/directors in the negotiation and documentation of U.S. agreements for the acquisition of 23% of outstanding stock of independent, publicly held distributor, and in the organization and financing arrangements regarding jointly operated print and advertising fund.
  • Represented an independent producer as to insurance-backed $100 million revolving credit from a major bank relating to the production financing of five theatrical motion pictures, aggregate production cost of which was contemplated to be $200 million, as to structuring, financing, production and worldwide distribution matters.
  • Represented a leading German broadcaster as to a $55 million acquisition of licenses and investment in and co-production of 22 animated television series (572 half-hour episodes) and 30 two-hour television motion pictures.
  • Represented a major U.S. computer graphics software designer and hardware manufacturer as to limited technology transfer (license) and formation of limited liability entity to co-finance and develop location-based attractions for numerous entertainment centers in theater multiplexes of one of the largest U.S. theatrical exhibitors.
  • Represented a subsidiary of a Japanese conglomerate in connection with advances against territorial licenses for Japanese rights and equity investment in four motion pictures and the licensing to a U.S. distributor of three television series.
  • Represented a major studio in arranging for source and negotiation and documentation of Canadian tax shelter finance relating to $50 million of television production for U.S. network broadcast.
  • Represented two German banks as to U.S. aspects of a $200 million loan involving ongoing multiple picture output arrangement of a film producer with a U.S. major studio.
  • Represented the Estate of author Margaret Mitchell and related entities as to negotiations and advice regarding a possible sequel to “Gone With the Wind,” including advice as to all aspects of a possible sequel novel.
  • Represented the developer of an early computerized color conversion system for converting black and white film to color as to copyright issues, library acquisition and licensing.
  • Represented various production companies in the production of motion pictures.
  • Represented various distribution companies in the acquisition and/or distribution of motion pictures.
  • Represented numerous writers, producers, managers, directors and actors in connection with the negotiation and documentation of a variety of transactions.
  • Conducted numerous chain-of-title analyses in connection with transactions involving entertainment properties and intellectual property works.
  • Negotiated and drafted agreements (and/or provided advice) involving books, videogames, motion pictures, television shows, websites, sunglasses, product container designs, t-shirts, paintball guns, toys, karaoke machines, food labels and many other works and goods in connection with a variety of transactions involving copyright, trademark (and trade dress), patent and other intellectual property rights, including drafting license agreements, option and purchase agreements, assignment agreements, collaboration agreements, work for hire agreements, a variety of production agreements (e.g., writers, actors, directors and producers agreements, location agreements, etc.), distribution agreements, music publishing rights agreements (i.e., mechanical, synchronization and public performance), and master recording rights agreements.
Entertainment & New Media
Specialties
Our Team