Television



The firm's television practice includes a broad spectrum of Emmy award winning programming at all stages of development, financing, production, and distribution in both commercial television and the public television arenas. We are pleased to represent authors, screenwriters, producers, directors, actors and other creative talent. The firm's practice includes scripted and unscripted programming, from series television through long form documentaries and live event specials. The firm also represents correspondents and producers in the news arena and major public television entities. With respect to international co-production arrangements, we represent international production and distribution companies from territories as diverse as the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.

See also:
Copyright | Defamation | Documentaries | Executive Employment Agreements | Music | Privacy & Publicity Rights


Television News & Articles:
Jun 25, 2010
Clearance Issues For Performing Arts Web Sites
Articles
Websites can include a digital buffet of audio and video content, photos, artwork, biographical sketches, analyses of the works presented -- and more -- that will enhance the online experience, increase consumer awareness and better entice visitors to fill their seats.
     
Mar 1, 2010
Eric S. Brown Addressing Authors' Rights at ABA
Firm News
Author-related business and legal issues in motion picture deals to be covered
     
Jan 25, 2010
M. Rudell Speaks on Film Financing
Firm News
Motion picture net profits in the current economy
     
Jan 25, 2010
Partners Speak at NYS Bar Assoc. Annual Meeting
Firm News
Copyright termination and literary publishing discussed
     
Jan 11, 2010
Talk Scheduled: IP in Day of FaceBook & YouTube
Firm News
Neil Rosini to discuss the legality of the commonplace.
     
Oct 23, 2009
Sundance Bidding War Ends with Lawsuit
Articles
An auction atmosphere generally works to the advantage of the seller of rights and this effect has been demonstrated regularly at the Sundance Film Festival during the past several years.
     
Oct 14, 2009
Matt Lefferts Speaks at NATAS
Firm News
Lecture focuses on controlling distribution of content on the internet.
     
Oct 6, 2009
FWRV Attorneys Again on "Super Lawyers" List
Firm News
Magazine selects 5% of Metro NY lawyers by nominations, peer evaluation and internal research
     
Aug 28, 2009
Superman Deal Isn't a "Sweetheart"
Articles
When the widow and daughter of a co-creator of Superman challenge a Warner-DC agreement, the court sides with Warner for some unexpected reasons.
     
Aug 1, 2009
FWRV Maintains Top Ranking in Entertainment Law
Firm News
Chambers USA again names Franklin Weinrib one of New York's four top-ranking media and entertainment firms working in film, music, television and theater
     
Jun 23, 2009
Matt Lefferts Speaks at NATAS
Firm News
Lecture focuses on production and distribution of content for the internet
     
Apr 24, 2009
Examining the Parody/Satire Distinction
Articles
A parody of "When You Wish Upon A Star," characterized as "crass and offensive," defeats a copyright claim through the fair use defense.
     
Mar 20, 2009
The Artifact Test
Articles
The fair use "Artifact Test" can simplify unauthorized borrowings of entertainment clips in documentaries, but it's not the same as getting them cleared.
     
Feb 27, 2009
“Freedom to Work Act” Bans Non-Compete Clauses
Articles
“Broadcast Employees Freedom to Work Act” forbids some but not all attempts by employers in broadcasting media to restrict the range of opportunities for certain employees following the termination or expiration of employment.
     
Oct 30, 2008
Partners Present Television Retrospective
Firm News
Seminar by Rose Schwartz and Ken Weinrib covers seven decades of TV evolution
     
Jul 29, 2008
Neil Rosini Discusses Parody Law
Firm News
Fair use seminar is presented to agents’ association
     
Mar 4, 2008
Rose Schwartz Presents Seminar
Firm News
Overview of flm development and financing presented at St. John's Law School
     
Feb 27, 2008
"Crude Parody" Like Others Before It, Is Fair Use
Articles
Decision favoring "Family Guy" parody of Carol Burnett's "Charwoman" revisits the limits of ridicule
     
Jan 15, 2008
Rose Schwartz and Nick Gordon Teach at NYU Law
Firm News
Adjunct professors begin 21st year of entertainment law seminar
     
Oct 26, 2007
"Citizen Kane" Case Revisits Future Rights
Articles
A recent decision concerning the legendary Citizen Kane illustrates why parties negotiating rights acquisition agreements should assume always that old and new technology will give way to unforeseen newer technology.
     
Jul 24, 2007
FWRV Maintains Top Ranking in Entertainment Law
Firm News
2007 Chambers USA names Franklin Weinrib one of New York's four top-ranking media and entertainment firms working in theater, film, television and music.
     
Jul 11, 2007
Matt Lefferts Speaks at TV Academy
Firm News
Lecture focuses on new media rights
     
Jun 22, 2007
Cussler and Crusader Find It Hard to Adapt
Articles
Authors seek to influence the way their books are adapted to the screen with varying results
     
Apr 26, 2007
Cablevision Decision Spotlights Digital Issues
Articles
Case holds that remote storage DVR service infringes rights of owners of tv programs; also finds buffer copies to be infringing
     
Apr 12, 2007
Rose Schwartz Speaks at St. John's Law School
Firm News
To Present Overview of Literary Option and Purchase Agreements
     
Nov 21, 2006
Rip Beyman Authors Chapter on Game Development
Firm News
New book helps game developers acquire rights in films, tv, music for use in games
     
Nov 3, 2006
Neil Rosini Speaks at CMJ and NAB Conferences
Firm News
Moderates copyright discussion and speaks on legal aspects of podcasting at Podcasting Summit
     
Oct 27, 2006
Life Story Releases: "Flashdance" & "Chorus Line"
Articles
The importance of "life story" releases in many entertainment transactions makes two disputes, both involving dancers' life stories, worth examining
     
Aug 25, 2006
Steinbeck Case Illustrates Termination Issues
Articles
U.S. copyright law gives authors and their heirs the right to terminate certain grants, but legal and business hurdles demand attention -- as illustrated by a case involving "The Grapes of Wrath" and other works by John Steinbeck
     
Jul 1, 2006
FWRV in Top Rank of Media & Entertainment Firms
Firm News
Chambers USA names Franklin Weinrib one of four top-ranking Media and Entertainment commercial practice firms in New York.
     
Jun 23, 2006
Releasing Film First in Theaters
Articles
Duty to Release Film First in Theaters Might Be Implied By Silent Contract
     
Apr 23, 2006
Neil Rosini Speaks at Broadcasters Conference
Firm News
Presentation to NAB on "Licensing and Copyright Laws for Podcasting"
     
Jan 1, 2006
Clearing Music Copyrights - All of Them
Articles
Part I: © Versus
     
Jun 25, 2004
Marvel Enterprises in Federal Court Action
Articles
Insurance Company Held Obligated to Defend Marvel Enterprises in Federal Court Action
     
Apr 1, 2004
Children Benefit from New York Performer Act
Articles
The reluctance of entertainment companies to enter into agreements with minors.
     
Apr 1, 2004
Rosie O'Donnell's Contract
Articles
The Hazards of Deferring Issues of Control
     
Dec 26, 2003
Use of Unlicensed Clip
Articles
Use of Unlicensed Clip in Comedy Central Program is Fair Use
     
Jul 25, 2003
Lanham Act Does Not Prevent Unaccredited Copying
Articles
Lanham Act Does Not Prevent Unaccredited Copying of Work in the Public Domain
     
May 23, 2003
Dismissal of Fox Suit
Articles
Court Affirms Dismissal of Fox News Network Suit
     
Oct 25, 2002
Use of Videos of Reginald Denny Beating
Articles
Court TV's Use of Videos of Reginald Denny Beating Held to be Fair Use
     
Jun 28, 2002
Grammer to Pay Agency Commissions
Articles
Court Upholds Arbitration Award Requiring Grammer to Pay Agency Commissions
     
Feb 22, 2002
"Ethics for the Entertainment Lawyer"
Articles
Panel Discusses "Ethics for the Entertainment Lawyer"
     
Dec 28, 2001
A "Sleazy Talent Agent"
Articles
Concept of a "Sleazy Talent Agent" Not Protected by Copyright
     
Jan 26, 2001
Claims Against Seinfeld Creators Dismissed
Articles
Court Upholds Dismissal of Claims Against Seinfeld Creators
     
Jun 23, 2000
Theft of Idea Standards
Articles
Different Standards Applicable in Theft of Idea Cases
     
Mar 24, 2000
Producer Ordered to Modify Credit
Articles
Producer Ordered to Modify Credit to Avoid Confusion
     
Dec 30, 1999
At the Millennium
Articles
At the Millennium
     
Aug 27, 1999
Infringement in TV Pilot Copyright
Articles
Damages Resulting from Infringement in Television Pilot Copyright
     
Feb 26, 1999
TV Station Enjoined
Articles
Television Station Enjoined from Enforcing Non-Compete Provision
     
Dec 30, 1998
Misleading Motion Picture Advertisements
Articles
Confusion is Presumed in Misleading Motion Picture Advertisements
     
Nov 27, 1998
SAG and Duty of Fair Representation
Articles
Screen Actors Guild Held Not to Have Breached Duty of Fair Representation