Posted on January 18, 2012 in Featured, Internet, Legal & Copyright | 6 Comments
Now that Occupy Wall Street is dead the interwebs are abuzz with a new protest meme denouncing SOPA. This should not be confused with their decades long protest against soap.
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Posted on January 16, 2012 in Filmmaking 360 | 2 Comments
Does the Democratiation of Media mean better art or is true talent being drowned out? That’s the question addressed by PressPausePlay, a documentary film containing interviews with some of the world’s most influential creators of the digital era.
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Posted on September 13, 2011 in Contracts and Law | No Comments
We have all seen those government warnings on DVDs. You may have even seen some “indie” films include the warning before their little epic either to look “professional” or because of an irrational fear someone may steal their Zombie Space Opera.
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Posted on August 25, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Legal & Copyright | 2 Comments
CGP Grey takes a look at the history of copyright law in his new video “Copyright: Forever Less One Day”.
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Posted on July 14, 2011 in Contracts and Law | 2 Comments
This video from Patrick McKay is the winning entry for Public Knowledge’s video contest to create a response to YouTube’s new “copyright school” video.
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Posted on May 5, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Featured, Legal & Copyright | No Comments
What’s difference between an idea an the expression of an idea? What’s the difference between borrowing and stealing? What’s covered under Copyright and what’s not? If you want clear answers to those questions, hire a layer! If you want a basic understanding, keep reading.
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Posted on August 18, 2010 in Music | 1 Comment
Since American Graffiti, the modern film musical has been reinvented as a greatest hits collection of popular or cutting-edge genre music. But if a filmmaker wishes to use recordings of popular songs, she must enter the byzantine world of music licensing.
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Posted on August 18, 2010 in Contracts and Law | No Comments
Want to show the classic Warner Bros. movie in your film? What can you do? Legal Ease has the answer.
…It is possible Warners will license you a few Casablanca clips. It’s also possible I will win the Pulitzer Prize for this blog. Both are equally likely, but my money is on the Pulitzer. [...]
Posted on August 3, 2010 in Contracts and Law, Internet, Legal & Copyright | 1 Comment
Margaret Gould Stewart, YouTube’s head of user experience, talks about how the ubiquitous video site works with copyright holders and creators to foster (at the best of times) a creative ecosystem where everybody wins.
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Posted on August 1, 2010 in Contracts and Law, Filmmaking 360 | 1 Comment
Attack of the Show’s Kevin Pereira talks to Rich Demuro, Editor for TechMeme.com more about the DMCA’s new ruling that allows new protections to video remixing and DVD burning for non commercial work. Find out how these revisions will affect you as a consumer and filmmaker.
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Posted on June 15, 2010 in Internet | No Comments
Margaret Stewart, YouTube’s head of user experience, talks about how the ubiquitous video site works with copyright holders and creators to foster (at the best of times) a creative ecosystem where everybody wins.
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Posted on May 3, 2010 in Contracts and Law, Music | No Comments
Copyright rules define much of the music business, shaping the practices that drive recording and touring deals. Washington understands the importance of the music business, passing and amending copyright laws to benefit and manage the music industry for well over a century.
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Posted on April 14, 2010 in Contracts and Law, Legal & Copyright, Marketing | 1 Comment
Although film is an expressive art form, it is also an increasingly international and highly commercial business. As a result, filmmakers should be very selective regarding choices to use a third party’s property—copyrighted works, trademarks, readily identified individual names or corporate names—without express permission. Permission is not always difficult to come by. Without the express permission, the errors and omissions insurance may be drafted to exclude any liability for the use of such content, and the lack of coverage may discourage distributors or exhibitors from buying or showing the work.
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Posted on January 17, 2010 in Legal & Copyright | 2 Comments
Mark Galsor and Jesse Saivar tackle the question of what’s legal when dealing with fictional characters from other movies.
…Q: My company is producing a film which has a character that is taken from another very well known film. This new story has absolutely nothing to do with the previously established film, is not [...]
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Posted on September 23, 2009 in Contracts and Law | 2 Comments
Do you need permission to use every single trademarked item in your shot? Michael C. Donaldson may have an answer that will surprise you.
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