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.

Documentary Toolkit

FWRV has 50 years of experience counseling makers of documentaries and other non-fiction video in every project phase: Financing (negotiating deal terms with investors and co-producers; negotiating and drafting agreements); Production (negotiating deal terms with production team members; negotiating and drafting agreements; guiding content creation); Content Review (reviewing legal compliance, including libel, privacy and fair use for E&O application); and Distribution (finding distribution; negotiating and drafting agreements).

At documentarytoolkit.com, we will share with the documentary/non-fiction community practical ideas from business and legal perspectives covering these topics and more. You are invited to sign up for our free blog by sending an email to [email protected] with “subscribe” in the subject box. The posts also will be available on this web page and via LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

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

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

Prepare for the Long Haul Part 4: Managing Marketing and Distribution Activities

Feb 19, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Prepare for the Long Haul Part 3: Avoiding Legal Liability

Feb 12, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Prepare for the Long Haul Part 2: Establishing a Chain of Title for Intellectual Property

Feb 5, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Prepare for the Long Haul Part 1: Creating a Business Entity

Jan 29, 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 4: What Is a Distribution Window and Why Is It Significant?

Jun 12, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

The Ins and Outs of Educational Distribution Part 3: What Is an Appropriate Sales Agreement Term?

Jun 5, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

The Ins and Outs of Educational Distribution Part 2: How Are Distribution Fees and Expenses Handled?

May 28, 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

Can a Filmmaker Avoid Legal Liability in a Documentary by Conveying a Potentially Defamatory Statement Through an Interview Subject Rather Than Through Narration?

Apr 9, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

Archive Agreements Part 2: What is the Connection Between Obtaining Archive Licenses and Fair Use?

Mar 19, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

Archive Agreements Part 1: Are There Other Good Reasons to Read Licenses Carefully?

Mar 13, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

Music Part 2: When Can Recordings of Public Domain Music Composed More Than a Hundred Years Ago Be Used Without Asking Permission?

Feb 20, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

Music Part 1: Can Music Be Included in Films on a Fair Use Basis?

Feb 13, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 9: What Does E&O Insurance Cost?

Jan 16, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 8: Is a Lawyer Necessary for an Application for E&O Insurance?

Jan 9, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 7: At What Stage of Production Should You Apply For E&O Insurance?

Jan 2, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 6: Where and How Do You Get E&O Insurance?

Dec 26, 2017 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 5: Why is E&O Insurance Necessary?

Dec 19, 2017 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 4: What Doesn’t E&O Insurance Cover?

Dec 12, 2017 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 3: What does E&O insurance cover?

Dec 5, 2017 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 2: Who Does E&O Insurance Cover?

Nov 28, 2017 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

Defamation is Broadly Defined

Oct 17, 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