It is generally anything and everything entertainment industry professionals may come across in the regular course of their business… here are just a few common examples of "Entertainment Law" issues:
A celebrity/influencer appears on a talk show/podcast and starts "trash talking" another person. That person might sue for defamation.
An artist uses a portion of another artist's work to create a new work. Unless a fair use exception applies or permission was granted, this hypothetical new work is likely a derivative work that may infringe on the original artist's copyright and intellectual property interests.
A songwriter cowrites with another person who takes their jointly-written work into the recording studio and passes it off as their own, giving the first songwriter zero credit. Several IP problems here…
A filmmaker hires an actor who looks and sounds just like a well-known celebrity to play a particular character the celebrity is known for playing in another movie. Name, image, and likeness rights are at play.
A music venue gets a citation for violating a noise ordinance because they had a band play music that was too loud past certain hours. There may be municipal law or criminal law overlap here, but it is still an issue relevant to entertainment.
Entertainment law issues are also faced by companies, not just individuals. Businesses such as recording studios, film production companies, publishing companies, advertising firms, etc., often have needs that cross over Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment law. "Entertainment Law" can often encompass several other areas of the law, such as contracts, business, torts, real property, criminal, etc… this is why it is crucial to consult with an attorney who has a working knowledge of various fields and areas of law.
None of the hypothetical examples used here are based on any one person or individual. References to any well-known individuals or entities are solely for commentary and informative purposes. Any similarities to hypotheticals are entirely coincidental, as these are common problems many people in the industry may face. None of the issues identified are conclusive of any outcome, as these hypotheticals do not contain all necessary facts to lead to the correct hypothetical result. Please note each case is very fact-specific. Questions? Contact us.
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