Legal Issues Workshop
Spring 2010
Legal Considerations Overview
 Ownership
 Copyright
Issues (& Licensing)
 Contracts
 Releases
 Clearances
Ownership
 Script
Work-for-Hire
Original
Story
Rights
Copyright
vs. WGA Registration
www.wga.org
Copyright Issues

Music

Original

Licensed
 Sync
Rights – to sync the music to pix
 Performance
Rights – to show the piece to
an audience
 Master
Recording License – to use a
recording
 Mechanical
copies
Rights – to reproduce & sell
Finding Copyrighted Music
www.ascap.com
www.bmi.com
Copyright Issues

Fair Use
Purpose of the use (commerical or
private)
 Nature of the work
 Amount of the portion you use
 Effect of the use on the value of the
original

Trademark
 Public Domain

Public Domain

Before 1923
is in PD

1923 to 1950
may not be PD
 Unless
original term expired before 1978
& was not renewed.

After 1950
not in PD
Contracts

Independent Contractors

Assignment of Rights (script)

Assignment of Rights (music)

Film Permits

Theatrical Permits

Stock Footage
Contracts
 Creative

Works Rights Policy
All Regent University students, staff and faculty
agree that all right, title and interest in all medium
now known or later discovered, throughout the
world are automatically assigned and transferred to
Regent University. This includes, but is not limited
to, the copyright in and to any Project.
 Rights
License Form – to revert
rights back to the student
Releases

Script Release

Assignment of Rights
Talent Release
Crowd Releases
Location Releases
Product Placement
Clearances
Title of Project:
Executive Producer:
Phone:
E-mail:
Today’s Date:
Student Producer:
Phone:
Email:
Type of Project: (class, Adv. Motion Picture, Multi-cam)
Screenwriter:
Phone:
E-mail:
Intended Distribution:
Contact Info:
Locale of Story:
Time of Story:
Clearances

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
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



Cast names that have first and last names
Business names
Product names
Organization names
Fine artwork
Photographs
Book covers
Magazine covers
Newspapers
Wallpaper
Clearances

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
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
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
Bedding
Posters
Copyrighted material
Trademarked material
Stock footage
Film Clips
Television Clips
Portrayals of any well-known personalities or
government officers
Derogatory references
Telephone numbers
Clearances – Other Considerations

Is this story fictional or based on fact or
based on another source (book, etc.)

If the story is based on actual events, you
need to research the following source
material:

Newspaper reports, books, articles, court
transcripts, interviews with witnesses, etc. as
applicable.
Public Domain
.
Date of Work
Term
1978 and after
Life + 70 years
Before 1923
None
Published 1923-63
28 years w/ 67 year renewal
If not renewed, public domain
Published 1964-77
28 years + 67 years
Created but not
Life + 70 years or
published before 1978
12-31-02 whichever is greater
Created before 1978
Life + 70 years or
published between
12-31-2047, whichever is greater.
1978 and 12-31-2002