What is Work for Hire?
When you hire someone to create a video, website, article, etc. for you, you may assume that once you pay for the work, you now own it and may do with it as you like. Well, not so fast. Your rights depend on whether you have a work for hire agreement or something else. Also…
You Can Negotiate Intellectual Property Rights
Did you know that you can negotiate intellectual property rights with your clients or contractors? Many people assume intellectual property, or IP, rights are binary — either one party holds them or the other does. They may feel backed up against a wall when they read a contract with provisions about work-for-hire, exclusivity, “perpetual throughout the…
Little Known Tips for Using Images from the Web Legally
As lawyers, we’re sensitive to the gray areas in using images from the web legally, and we want to help you protect yourself. Assuming you have a basic grasp of using online images, there are still a few best practices you should know about. This is where we get a little into the weeds, which…
A Quick Guide to Using Images from the Web
Our knee-jerk reaction to the question of using images from the internet is to say, “No! Don’t do that!” We lawyers have a way of jumping to the worst-case scenario. The reality, we know, is that using free images found online feels like the most ordinary thing in the world. When content is king but…
Social Media Influencers Are Here to Stay
If you want to become one of them, don’t overlook the legal risks So you’ve noticed your social media channel is taking off. Your Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube or another account is receiving hundreds, or even thousands, of “likes” or views, and your online following is blossoming. And not only that, but a few businesses…
Life Rights: Should You or Shouldn’t You Seek Them?
It’s a tricky question for independent filmmakers. Asking for forgiveness could be better than asking for permission. Here’s some guidance on which way to go. So you work in the film industry and you come across a person’s real-life story that simply beckons your creative energies. Indeed, this person’s life is absolutely calling you. You…
A Primer on Covering Songs
As any creative artist knows, few works of art are born of wholly new cloth. Not to get too philosophical, but most creative works are derivative of something that has been seen or heard before. The creative talent takes what he or she has learned and builds upon this base knowledge to bring forth something…
To Form an LLC or Not to Form an LLC
Here are some financial and other real-world reasons why your new creative arts venture should operate through a separate business entity. So you’ve just formed a new creative arts team with a small band of talented, inventive souls, and you have a magical project in mind that you’re certain has marketplace potential. You’re now looking…