Copyright | Lemoine Law Firm

“Percy Jackson” film not substantially similar…

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Sep 16Categories: 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...

Top 4 Filmmaker “Must Do” Practices and Why !

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Apr 11Categories: Copyright, Corporate Formalities, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, LLC - Incorporation, Music Business, Music Licensing, Music Publishing, Producing, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark

Aspiring filmmakers often let the contract and business details of film production be an afterthought, thinking â€œthatâ€™s not fun. Or creative. And I donâ€™t have the budget for that un-fun, un-creative stuff.Â Iâ€™m working with...

Top 4 Filmmaker “Must Do” Practices, and Why

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Aug 26Categories: Business Development, Copyright, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, Music, Music Licensing, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized

Join me at the Screenwriters Network Attorney Panel

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Jul 06Categories: Copyright, Corporate Formalities, Entrepreneurs, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, Novel Writing, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized

I’m looking forward to being a panelist at the Scriptwriters Network Entertainment Attorney Panel – about the law and business of screenwriting – August 13, 2011, 1PM. Come on out and join us on the Universal Studios Backlot. http://www.scriptwritersnetwork.org/event20110813.html...

Contracts & Business Needs of Film Production – and why.

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Mar 11Categories: Copyright, Corporate Formalities, Corporate Governance, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, LLC - Incorporation, Music Business, Music Licensing, Music Publishing, Novel Writing, Producing, Public Domain, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized

Filmmakers and writers often let the contract and business details be a second – or third or forth priority, which is unfortunate. Neglecting contracts and business formalities may prevent getting investors into a movie, or may cause a host of other...

Parody, Fair Use, Or Copyright Infringement?

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Oct 26Categories: Copyright, Fair Use, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Parody, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized

A recent question asked whether a project was a permissible “parody” of a preexisting work, or whether the project was too close to the original and was therefore an impermissible rip off – a/k/a copyright infringement. The answer can...

2010 USC Institute on Entertainment Law and Business

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Oct 24Categories: Copyright, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, LLC - Incorporation, Music Licensing, Novel Writing, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark

Saturday I attended the 2010 USC Institute on Entertainment Law & Business – terrific speakers on the state and future of the industry. The quality of the topics was exceeded only by the high caliber and knowledge of the speakers. Highlights...

My “On The Page” Interview is Up!

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Oct 16Categories: Copyright, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, LLC - Incorporation, Music Licensing, Novel Writing, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark, Uncategorized

My interview with screenwriting teacher and consultant Pilar Alessandra is now up and available! Our wide ranging conversation was focused on Legal and Business Do’s and Don’ts for screenwriters, and covered many hypotheticals and real world,...

“On The Page” Interview to Air October 15th

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Oct 07Categories: Copyright, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, Music Licensing, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Uncategorized

This week I had the honor of being interviewed on Pilar Alessandra’s excellent Podcast “On The Page,” a fantastic source of information about the craft and business of screenwriting. www.onthepage.tv The topic for the interview was “Legal...

Copyright Clearance – An issues list, and “fair use.”

Author: Gano LemoineOn: Sep 19Categories: Copyright, Film Producing, Filmmakers, Life Rights, Music Licensing, Novel Writing, Privacy Rights, Producing, Public Domain, Publicity Rights, Screenwriting, Television Production, Trademark

Whether you are a producer, director, screenwriter, novelist, or photographer, it is imperative you stay focused on copyright, privacy and publicity clearance issues. Having an unlicensed piece of footage in your film may mean the difference between a...