by Gano Lemoine | Jun 4, 2013 | Business Development, Copyright, Corporate Formalities, Entrepreneurs, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, LLC - Incorporation, Music, Music Business, Music Licensing, Music Publishing, Novel Writing, Parody, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized
Aspiring filmmakers and creatives often let the contract and business details be an afterthought, thinking “that’s not fun. Or creative. And I don’t have the budget for that un-fun, un-creative stuff. I’m working with my friends… it’ll all be fine.â€...
by Gano Lemoine | May 4, 2013 | Copyright, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, Music, Music Business, Music Licensing, Music Publishing, Novel Writing, Parody, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized
A recent (March 2013) opinion by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (covering the West Coast and many of Western states) provides an excellent analysis of U.S. copyright law and the fair use defense. In SOFA Entertainment, Inc., v. Dodger Productions, Inc., the...
by Gano Lemoine | Feb 28, 2013 | Copyright, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, Privacy Rights, Public Domain, Publicity Rights
I’m proud to have been quoted in the International Business Times regarding Academy Award winning film, “Zero Dark Thirty,” which used a telephone message from a victim of 9/11, seemingly without the consent of the victim’s grieving family....
by Gano Lemoine | Feb 26, 2013 | Business Development, Copyright, Corporate Formalities, Entrepreneurs, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, LLC - Incorporation, Music, Music Business, Music Licensing, Music Publishing, Novel Writing, Parody, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized
I often receive calls from creatives with business and legal questions about their project. Many thinly funded project leaders balk when they find out that an attorney (including yours truly) charges from $375 per hour and up – to negotiate deals or assist...
by Gano Lemoine | Feb 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
I’m proud to have been quoted in the International Business Journal’s article on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” lawsuit against the porn film allegedly infringing on the copyright of Fifty Shades Limited and Universal films. Check out the article...
by Gano Lemoine | Jan 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
“Don’s step over a dollar to save a dime.” I frequently hear from clients and soon-to-be clients with some problem involving work by an independent contractor. The independent contractor was hired to do some creative work – develop software,...
by Gano Lemoine | Dec 4, 2012 | Copyright, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, Novel Writing, Parody, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark
Sign up for Pilar Alessandr’aScreenplay Adaptation Workshop on December 12th, and get a special bonus… ME! December 12th, 7PM to 10:30PM, in Sherman Oaks, CA. Screenwriting teacher Pilar Alessandra will instruct on the screen adaptation of a play, comic or...
by Gano Lemoine | Nov 26, 2012 | Uncategorized
As the end of the year approaches, and the New Year looms, this is a good time to take stock of this year’s company actions, and anticipate next year’s company needs. First, a quick review of the most basic “corporate formalities” that every...
by Gano Lemoine | Nov 16, 2012 | Business Development, Copyright, Corporate Formalities, Corporate Governance, Entrepreneurs, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, LLC - Incorporation, Music, Music Business, Music Licensing, Music Publishing, Novel Writing, Parody, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized
My legal practice is a mix of business clients and entertainment clients, so I come across many people that are growing their endeavor from an early stage. That early stage is frequently a natural progression from a unique combination of passion, interest and skill...
by Gano Lemoine | Sep 16, 2012 | Copyright, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Parody, Public Domain, Screenwriting, Television Production
Yet another example of how a similar idea – perhaps a VERY similar idea, is insufficient basis for a successful copyright infringement or idea theft lawsuit. It is the very specific execution of the idea that is protectable, NOT the idea itself (unless there is...