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We represent authors at all stages of their careers -- world renowned bestselling authors, and those who are being published for the first time.
We represent some of the world’s most successful producers and creative talent, as well as owners of important films, novels and other works on which musicals and plays are based.
Whether we handle a transaction in its entirety, or act as due diligence counsel, we are keenly aware of what distinguishes entertainment businesses from others being purchased or sold.
We represent actors, directors, writers and other talent in all aspects of the motion picture, television, theater and digital media industries.
Our attorneys are at the forefront of new developments in the production and exploitation of branded entertainment.
Copyright is an essential component of almost every transaction involving creators and users of intellectual property and we provide experienced guidance.
We counsel corporate clients in their business strategies, organize corporations and partnerships, and negotiate and draft a wide variety of agreements for major public corporations and privately held businesses.
Our clients include documentary and other non-fiction producers; broadcasters; authors of books and writers of screenplays; digital and print publishers; playwrights and lyricists.
We guide clients across the ever-changing legal and business landscape of digital content. Clients range from multinational corporations to early stage venture companies that offer news, music, satire, commentary, children's programming, and other forms of information and entertainment.
Our clients produce and direct documentaries and other non-fiction series and films for broadcast and cable television; radio; web series and podcasts, SVOD and theatrical release.
The firm represents executives at the highest levels of major entertainment, media, and advertising organizations. We help them structure and negotiate their employment agreements whether for new positions, the extension of existing agreements, or the structuring of settlement and separation packages.
We represent clients in licensing, merchandising, and endorsements including established brands, celebrities, and authors.
Our motion picture practice covers the full spectrum of the movie business. It includes advising independent film producers on financing, co-production, production, and distribution agreements; guiding directors, talent, screenwriters and distributors; and representing some of the world’s leading authors in their film rights deals with major studios.
We represent recording artists, composers, major record labels and independent labels, music publishers, conductors, producers and managers.
We represent presenters, producers, management companies and artists across a broad spectrum of the performing arts including theater, opera and other music.
The firm's television practice covers a broad spectrum of programming across broadcast, cable, and online platforms.
Documentaries
What Effect Will New York’s New Law Providing for a Post-Mortem Right of Publicity Have on Nonfiction Filmmakers?
May 18, 2021
Documentary Toolkit
What is the Significance of a “Work for Hire” Clause in a Contract?
Mar 30, 2021
Documentary Toolkit
If Filmmaking During the COVID-era is Inherently Risky, Can Filmmakers Require Crew or Subjects to Assume Their Own Risk and Waive Legal Claims Against the Producer?
Dec 1, 2020
Documentary Toolkit
What If I Can’t Afford or Don’t Want to Use an Aggregator? Is DIY Digital Distribution a Feasible Plan?
Nov 9, 2020
Documentary Toolkit
To Distribute My Feature-Length Independent Documentary in Digital Media, Should I Use an Aggregator or a Distributor?
Oct 27, 2020
Documentary Toolkit
Works Made for Hire: Five Things to Know
Oct 26, 2020
FWRV Legal
How Hollywood Can Fight Racism: A Conversation with Alan Jenkins and Flo Mitchell-Brown
Jul 9, 2020
Webinars and Podcasts
Back to the New Future: 5 Industry Guidelines for Film/TV/Streaming Productions to Return
Jun 11, 2020
FWRV Legal
Video: “Best Practices for Documentary Film” Episode #3 (Special Guest: Neil Rosini)
May 21, 2020
Webinars and Podcasts
Five Questions to Ask When Deciding Whether Borrowing a Video Clip is Fair Use.
May 1, 2020
FWRV Legal
Five Things for a Brand to Consider About Influencer Marketing.
Apr 23, 2020
FWRV Legal
COVID-19 Message to Our Clients
Mar 18, 2020
Firm Insights
It’s Tempting to Take Photos and Excerpts of Clips from Seemingly Non-Professional Sources That Have Been Uploaded to YouTube and Other Internet Sites, and Use Them in a Documentary as a “Fair Use.” But is it Legal?
Feb 18, 2020
Documentary Toolkit
If a Nonfiction Story in a Newspaper or Magazine Inspires Me to Do a Documentary or a Nonfiction Podcast Serial or TV Series on the Same Subject, Do I Have to Ask the Author or Publisher for Permission?
Nov 12, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
Are All Works by the U.S. Federal Government in the Public Domain, and If So, Why Would a Documentary Maker Pay an Archive for Them?
Sep 17, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
HBO’s Unlicensed Use of Painting in “Slenderman” Documentary is Too Ambiguous to Avoid Infringement Lawsuit
Sep 3, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
When Filming Abroad, Consider the Laws: If Unlicensed Borrowings in a Documentary (of Clips and Headlines, for Example) Qualify in the U.S. as Fair Use, are Those Borrowings Still Legal When the Documentary is Distributed Outside the U.S.?
Jul 30, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
Court Agrees: Use of “Super Bowl Shuffle” in Documentary is Fair Use
Jun 4, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
Memorializing Relationships Early Pays Off Later: Does a Film Producer Make a Mistake By Not Entering Into Work For Hire Agreements with Film Crew, Talent, Writers and Other Independent Contractors Whom She Hires?
Mar 5, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
Fair Use Doesn’t Shield Unlicensed Use of a Personal Photo – Even When the President Crashes a Wedding
Jan 8, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
Public Domain Safety Zone Advances a Year
Jan 2, 2019
Documentary Toolkit
A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 5: What Should You Do If You Discover in Post-Production That Your Team Neglected to Obtain an Appearance Release from an Interview Subject?
Dec 25, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 4: Can an On-Camera Verbal Release Substitute for a Written Release?
Dec 18, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 3: What Is an “Area Release” and What Purpose Does It Serve?
Dec 11, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 2: Why Might Documentary Producers Obtain Appearance Releases Even Though They Don’t Have To?
Dec 4, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 1: What Does a Documentary Appearance Release Typically Contain?
Nov 27, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
The Ins and Outs of Educational Distribution Part 5: What Is a Public Performance License and Why Does It Matter?
Jun 19, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
The Ins and Outs of Educational Distribution Part 1: What Are Educational Rights and How Are They Monetized?
May 21, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
Are There Extra-Sensitive Categories of Defamatory Statements?
May 8, 2018
Documentary Toolkit
E&O Part 1: What is E&O Insurance?
Nov 21, 2017
Documentary Toolkit
Introduction to False Light
Nov 7, 2017
Documentary Toolkit
When Does Artistic License in Editing an Interview Cross the Line?
Oct 3, 2017
Documentary Toolkit
The Artifact Test
Apr 1, 2017
Documentary Toolkit
Fair Use Demystified
Apr 1, 2017
Documentary Toolkit
Documentary Basics for Filmmakers
Apr 1, 2017
Documentary Toolkit
