Entertainment Transactions
Jackson Walker attorneys have years of experience working behind the scenes in the complex and multi-disciplinary world of entertainment transactions. From the Texas entertainment landscape to other major markets where creatives are making the next buzzworthy content, our attorneys leverage their industry experience alongside our full-service resources and capabilities to provide clients valued advice in a full range of entertainment transactions.
Our attorneys have handled routine, complex, and novel matters involving the varied facets of the entertainment industry, including industry-specific agreements on behalf of content creators and distributors; rights clearance issues; content licensing and sales transactions; marketing deals; merchandising deals; copyright, trademark, and right of publicity registrations; and more. Clients have also worked with our attorneys to address issues related to live and livestream performances, including venue agreements, access agreements, risk management, and insurance considerations. Moreover, our attorneys have counseled clients about the advancement of their entertainment business endeavors and the monetization of their content in the rapidly changing digital market.
And should disputes arise, Jackson Walker offers a powerful and experienced team of entertainment attorneys and trial lawyers who combine successful trial strategies with skillful advocacy to defend all types of entertainment litigation matters.
- Represent clients in the license, purchase, and sale of various entertainment and online properties
- Negotiate and draft various content rights agreements and releases, including work made for hire agreements, content license agreements (e.g., music licenses, photo licenses), and media releases (e.g., appearance releases, location releases)
- Conduct pre-publication reviews of, and assist with the rights clearance process for, film and television productions and online properties
- Represent film financiers in independent feature film production deals
- Provide production and distribution counsel to reality television production companies
- Review film option-purchase agreements, book publishing agreements, and literary agent agreements for authors
- Represent public figures in product endorsement and licensing deals
- Negotiate and draft video game publishing and licensing agreements
- Represent companies in event marketing and venue deals
- Formation of various entertainment business entities, including intellectual property holding companies, loan-out companies, and general commercial entities
- Handle copyright, trademark, and right of publicity registrations
March 10, 2023
Attorney News
Shayan Gaziani Named Council Member of Dallas Bar Association’s Entertainment, Art, and Sports Law Section
Jackson Walker attorney Shayan Gaziani has joined the 2023 Council of the Dallas Bar Association’s Entertainment, Art, and Sports Law Section.
December 20, 2022
Mentions
Valery Piedra Featured in The Houston Lawyer’s Young Lawyer Spotlight
In this Young Lawyer Spotlight featured in The Houston Lawyer, Valery Piedra discusses the importance of family, community, and her passion for media and entertainment law.
November 9, 2022
Attorney News
Emilio Nicolas Joins Austin PBS Board
Emilio B. Nicolas has joined the board of Austin PBS (KLRU-TV), a locally owned and operated nonprofit public media station in Central Texas, and one of the most prolific PBS member stations in the country.
January 13, 2022
Insights
Avoiding Fashion Faux Pas: Factors to Consider When Drafting Agreements for Fashion Companies
By Serene Ateek & Shannon Zmud Teicher
In order to properly run a successful business and create a solid brand, fashion companies need to enter into many agreements that span the areas of corporate, real estate, and intellectual property. This article discusses factors to consider when drafting favorable provisions within three commonly used agreements.
November 17, 2021
Speaking Engagements
Emilio Nicolas to Speak on Film Rights Clearance and Artificial Intelligence
At the 31st Annual Entertainment Law Institute, Emilio Nicolas will discuss the key issues and risks filmmakers should consider when preparing to distribute a film. The CLE program will be presented at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17.
October 21, 2021
Insights
Cancel Culture and the Endless Stream of Subscriptions: A Discussion of Automatic Renewal Laws
By Shannon Zmud Teicher & Serene W. Ateek
Regardless of whether your interest is home goods or hunting, it is undeniable that companies are quickly embracing the rise of digital when offering entertainment and personal services to consumers. Automatic renewal programs seem to dominate a lot of our world today, think: music, games, television, movies, magazines, meal deliveries, gym memberships, eyelash extensions, and much more. With all of these automatic renewal programs in place, it is easy to see how consumers would forget to cancel certain subscriptions they no longer wanted.
August 30, 2021
Newsletters
JW Media | VIA ePostcard – August 2021
View the August 2021 edition of the JW Media | VIA ePostcard.
July 20, 2021
Speaking Engagements
Serene Ateek to Present on Fashion Law
Thursday, July 29 at 12:30 p.m. CT
Join Serene Ateek and Kirby Drake for a virtual CLE presentation on fashion and copyright law. The webinar is presented jointly by the Entertainment & Sports Law Section of the Austin Bar Association (ESLABA) and the Texas Chapter of the Copyright Society of the USA.
May 14, 2021
Insights
Student Snapchat Decision May Hint at SCOTUS Social Media Rulings
In an article published by Bloomberg Law, James Carlos McFall, Eric Wong, and Lauren Ceckowski discussed the U.S. Supreme Court’s impending ruling in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. The free speech case involves a cheerleader’s Snapchat post and may provide insight on how the Court will rule on future social media cases.
- Advertising
Working in conjunction with their general counsel and marketing departments, we have regularly helped advertisers navigate the legal hurdles related to traditional and more data-driven advertising and their relationship to businesses within and outside the entertainment industry, from advertising law fundamentals like comparative ads to specifics like Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online influencer compliance issues. - Fashion
Our attorneys have counseled fashion and jewelry designers, manufacturers, and retailers on an array of issues, including intellectual property rights management, product licensing, and product and design enforcement issues, including gray market, counterfeit, or “knock-off” goods. - Film
Both new and veteran film producers and financiers have turned to Jackson Walker attorneys for advice about rights clearance issues and investor due diligence for independent feature films and documentaries. - Video Games
We have served traditional and online game developers on issues including copyright, trademark, right of publicity, patent, and the First Amendment. Our attorneys have helped clients create proactive strategies to address the legal issues facing the creation, distribution, and monetization of their content in ways that are developing faster than the law. - Gaming
We have regularly assisted advertisers with the development and implementation of promotional sweepstakes, contests, and prize giveaways. - Music
With a volume of legal and business experience in the music industry, our attorneys have helped clients understand the complexities of the music industry, and manage their music licensing needs, including public performance, synchronization (sync), and master use licenses. - Publishing
From development through publication and beyond, Jackson Walker attorneys have helped authors, illustrators, and book publishers navigate the legal and business landscape of the publishing industry, including book publishing agreements, literary agent agreements, co-authorship agreements, and intellectual property asset management. - Television
Our attorneys regularly counsel television stations and networks with their various rights clearance, rights management, marketing, and employment law issues. The Jackson Walker team understands the complexities of traditional broadcast and cable television industries, as well as the non-linear digital and streaming industries, and we use our years of experience for the benefit of the clients we serve. - Online, On-Demand, and Beyond
In addition to the traditional areas of the entertainment industry, our attorneys assist clients with the digital or “new media” side of things. This includes counseling clients with the protection, enforcement, and exploitation of their content online, be it through social media, over-the-top (OTT) or streaming networks, or the next new communications technology platform. Our attorneys also counsel clients on the legal issues facing new and burgeoning forms of digital expression, including podcasts, influencer marketing, and data-driven advertising.
