As a professional in the entertainment industry, protecting your intellectual property, negotiating airtight contracts, and navigating the complex regulatory landscape are critical to your success. That’s where my Entertainment Law Services come in. For over 45 years, Manatt has been the go-to firm for some of the biggest global players in entertainment, representing industry giants and rising stars across music, film, TV, digital media, sports, the creator economy, and live events.
With a multidisciplinary approach that integrates legal and consulting expertise, I’m uniquely positioned to help you proactively identify new market opportunities, craft boundary-pushing deals, and lead in the rapidly changing entertainment landscape. Whether you’re looking to protect your intellectual property rights, negotiate media contracts and talent agreements, or navigate copyright protection, royalty negotiations, and licensing deals, I’ve got the experience and industry knowledge to guide you every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive legal strategies and guidance for entertainment professionals
- Expertise in protecting intellectual property rights and negotiating complex contracts
- Represents industry giants and rising stars across diverse entertainment sectors
- Multidisciplinary approach integrating legal and consulting expertise
- Helps clients identify new market opportunities and lead in the rapidly changing entertainment landscape
Navigating the Ever-Evolving Entertainment Landscape
The entertainment and media landscape is one built on innovation and disruption. From the onset of streaming to more recent trends such as the exploding creator economy or the development of NFTs, Manatt has helped clients stay ahead of the curve to navigate turbulence and take ownership of their personal brands since 1977.
Embracing Innovation and Disruption
By leveraging our decades of entertainment law services experience and cross-industry integrated legal and consulting model, we help clients proactively identify new market opportunities that come from entertainment’s increasing convergence with other sectors. The interplay between technology and consumer demand is transforming the marketplace, and Manatt’s professionals help clients lead in today’s rapidly changing market by providing the right mix of business savvy and legal expertise.
Leveraging Cross-Industry Experience
Our team’s deep understanding of intellectual property rights, media contracts, talent agreements, and other critical areas empowers us to guide clients through complex copyright protection, royalty negotiations, and licensing deals. Whether navigating defamation lawsuits, censorship issues, or creative disputes, our professionals leverage their extensive talent management expertise to help clients thrive.
Leading in a Rapidly Changing Market
The copyright law, royalty agreements, and music industry regulations governing the entertainment landscape are continuously evolving. Manatt’s team stays ahead of the curve, providing strategic counsel on film production legalities, broadcasting compliance, and other critical aspects of the media and entertainment industry. Our innovative approach to talent representation, contract negotiation, and licensing agreements empowers clients to lead in this rapidly changing market.
Pioneers and Leaders in Entertainment Law
As one of the first entertainment practices in the country, with more than 45 years of experience, Manatt’s professionals have represented some of the biggest names in entertainment through high-profile M&A transactions, film and television deals, recording and publishing deals, catalog sales, and complex litigation. Our deep industry knowledge and longstanding relationships have earned us recognition as pioneers and leaders in the field of entertainment law.
Representing Industry Giants and Rising Stars
At Manatt, we have the privilege of working with some of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry. Whether representing industry giants or rising stars, our team of seasoned professionals leverages their unparalleled expertise to protect intellectual property rights, negotiate boundary-pushing deals, and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of media and entertainment law. From chart-topping musicians to award-winning actors and visionary producers, our clients trust us to safeguard their interests and help them achieve their business objectives.
Recognized Expertise and Accolades
Manatt’s reputation as a leader in entertainment law is further reinforced by the numerous accolades and recognitions our team has received over the years. We are regularly featured in prestigious industry publications such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Billboard, as well as respected international directories like Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. These accolades are a testament to our team’s exceptional legal skills, deep industry knowledge, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients.
Music Practice: Crafting Boundary-Pushing Deals
For over 45 years, Manatt has been the go-to legal advisor for the music industry’s leading performers, musicians, producers, and songwriters across genres. We pride ourselves on representing clients in highly negotiated, boundary-pushing deals and navigating the industry’s most consequential litigation. Our comprehensive music practice provides guidance, strategy, and execution for companies of all types in the music business, including brand strategy and global execution for music icons, music publishing administration, catalog creation and royalty hunting, master recording and music publishing catalog sales, global content distribution and licensing agreements, artist advocacy, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, copyright law and intellectual property (IP) protection, copyright termination rights, management agreements, neighboring rights agreements, producer agreements, and royalty and SoundExchange audits.
Representing Performers, Musicians, and Songwriters
Our team’s deep understanding of the entertainment law services and media contracts that govern the music industry allows us to expertly navigate the complex landscape on behalf of our clients. Whether representing talent agreements and royalty negotiations for chart-topping performers, up-and-coming musicians, or acclaimed songwriters, we leverage our decades of experience to secure the best possible outcomes in licensing deals and copyright protection.
Music Publishing and Catalog Management
Manatt’s music practice also provides comprehensive services related to music publishing and catalog management. We assist clients in building and maintaining their royalty agreements, handling music industry regulations and royalty and residual payments with precision, and protecting their valuable intellectual property rights through strategic copyright and trademark protection.
Royalty Audits and Copyright Protection
In addition to navigating the complexities of the music industry, our team also helps clients ensure they are receiving the full royalties owed to them. We conduct thorough royalty audits and provide expert guidance on copyright protection to safeguard our clients’ creative works and intellectual property from unauthorized use or infringement.
Film, TV, and Digital Media: Shaping the Future
Manatt’s film, TV and digital media practice provides both transactional and litigation services to production and distribution companies, studios, networks, banks, funds, and other investors, as well as a wide range of multihyphenated individuals, from actors, writers, directors and producers to book authors. From our Los Angeles and New York offices, our lawyers broker deals across the United States and in Asia, Europe and Latin America. We’re shaping the future of digital media, providing crucial strategic support to major players in this space.
Financing, Production, and Distribution
The team excels in financing, production, distribution, licensing, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in all aspects of the entertainment industry. Our services include rights acquisitions and clearances, syndication, content licensing, output and slate agreements, employment and talent agreements, IP protection, sponsorship and product placement agreements, and litigation related to acquiring, licensing and monetizing music for film/TV, first-look and overall deals with major networks and streaming platforms, pilot and renewal deals for drama and comedy scripted television series, acquisitions of library content and IP for content creators, and launching and renewal of first-run syndicated talk shows.
Content Licensing and Talent Agreements
Our comprehensive offerings in the film, TV and digital media space extend to content licensing and talent agreements. We help our clients navigate the complexities of rights acquisitions and clearances, syndication, output and slate agreements, employment and talent agreements, IP protection, sponsorship and product placement agreements, and more.
Mergers and Acquisitions in Entertainment
Manatt’s team of experienced professionals also excels in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the entertainment industry. We guide clients through the intricate legal and strategic considerations involved in high-profile M&A transactions, ensuring they are positioned for success in this dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape.
Sports: Navigating League Rules and Industry Developments
As an experienced entertainment law firm, Manatt has a deep understanding of the intricate rules and requirements that impact athlete business opportunities across the media and entertainment industry. We have proudly served as both inside and outside general counsel for numerous professional sports franchises, representing teams from nearly every major league, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS.
Our talent management expertise extends beyond traditional sports, as we also advise esports teams and companies, sporting goods manufacturers, ticketing providers, and stadium/venue operators. We closely monitor industry developments, such as the groundbreaking name, image and likeness (NIL) updates affecting student-athletes at NCAA member institutions who can now monetize their NIL rights while maintaining eligibility.
Furthermore, our team counsels top corporate brands and broadcasting networks on a wide range of sports-related investments, sponsorships, advertising, and marketing campaigns. Our experience encompasses cutting-edge innovative technologies and emerging business models, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and dynamic digital fan engagement strategies.
| Service | Expertise |
|---|---|
| Talent Agreements | Negotiate complex player contracts, endorsement deals, and sponsorship arrangements. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Ensure adherence to league, team, and players association rules and requirements. |
| Intellectual Property Protection | Safeguard trademarks, copyrights, and other valuable intellectual property rights. |
| Dispute Resolution | Represent clients in defamation lawsuits, censorship issues, and other creative disputes. |
| Corporate Transactions | Provide guidance on media contracts, licensing deals, production financing, and distribution arrangements. |
Icons and Creator Economy: Expanding Portfolios
Manatt has a deep history of working with the industry’s top talent, and our representation of these icons has only increased as the creator economy continues to flourish. Our team of legal and strategic advisors work with the biggest names in entertainment, branding and finance to achieve their goals of entrepreneurship, advocacy and innovation.
Business Growth Strategies and Investment Advice
Our vibrant icon practice features musicians, songwriters, recording legends, athletes, film and television stars, and high-profile executives who turn to us for our extensive soup-to-nuts experience expanding our client portfolios of new business opportunities from concept to launch. We guide content creators and new media companies through complex legal, commercial and strategic issues related to their business growth opportunities, including go-to-market and business growth strategies, investment advice, structuring global distribution networks and tours.
Trademark Enforcement and IP Protection
We provide guidance on trademark enforcement, new venture consulting and structuring, influencer and brand agreements, stage deals based on existing or original IP, nonprofit formation and compliance, real estate transactions and litigation, book publishing, and estate planning and privacy compliance.
Estate Planning and Privacy Compliance
Our team helps clients navigate the complexities of estate planning and privacy compliance, ensuring their intellectual property, brand, and personal interests are protected as their careers and portfolios expand.
Live Entertainment: Choreographing Successful Events
At Manatt, we offer interdisciplinary, full-service and scalable live entertainment solutions to a diverse client base. Our professionals’ extensive live entertainment experience encompasses a wide range of matters, from concerts and festivals to sports events, pop-ups, conferences, corporate gatherings, charity fundraisers, food events, and fashion shows. We infuse this seasoned expertise and creative thinking into all aspects of these events, working closely with our clients to choreograph and implement every detail necessary for an optimum presentation that aligns with their business objectives.
Worldwide Tours and Talent Management
Our live entertainment offerings include the contractual aspects of worldwide tours, such as ticketing, tour employment, merchandising deals, venue agreements, and vendor agreements. We also handle livestreaming agreements, sponsorship agreements, fundraising and financial restructuring, technology integration, crisis management, concessionaire agreements, talent agreements, audiovisual agreements, stage agreements, and tour riders. Additionally, we manage agreements with agencies and promoters, as well as media partnerships and communications strategies, social media and influencer agreements, and access to top-level talent.
Sponsorship and Media Partnerships
Manatt’s entertainment law professionals excel in securing lucrative sponsorship agreements and forging strategic media partnerships for our live entertainment clients. We leverage our industry relationships and deep understanding of the market to help our clients maximize the commercial value of their events through collaborative brand alliances, licensing deals, and innovative media distribution arrangements.
Regulatory Compliance and Crisis Management
Ensuring regulatory compliance is a crucial aspect of live entertainment, and our team provides comprehensive guidance to navigate the complex landscape of laws and regulations. From IP strategies and portfolio management to advertising and marketing compliance, insurance, privacy and data security, and COVID-19-related advice and advocacy, we help our clients stay ahead of the curve and mitigate potential risks.
Games and Esports: Licensing, Technology, and Advertising
At Manatt, my colleagues and I bring decades of licensing, technology, advertising, and entertainment experience to companies and individuals in the games and esports industries. We understand the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of this dynamic sector, and we are dedicated to providing our clients with comprehensive legal and business strategy services to help them navigate this ever-changing landscape.
From negotiating licensing agreements for cutting-edge gaming technologies to counseling clients on the latest advertising and marketing trends in the esports world, our team is well-versed in the intricacies of the games and esports industries. We work closely with our clients to develop customized strategies that protect their intellectual property rights, optimize their media contracts and talent agreements, and ensure they are in compliance with all relevant copyright protection, royalty negotiations, and licensing deals requirements.
Whether our clients are pioneering new gaming experiences, building thriving esports franchises, or exploring innovative advertising and sponsorship opportunities, we are here to provide the legal guidance and strategic counsel they need to succeed. Our team’s deep understanding of the defamation lawsuits, censorship issues, and creative disputes that can arise in this dynamic industry allows us to help our clients navigate talent management challenges and protect their valuable copyright law, royalty agreements, and music industry regulations.
From film production legalities and broadcasting compliance to contract negotiation, licensing agreements, and copyright and trademark protection, our multidisciplinary approach ensures that we can address the full spectrum of legal and business needs facing our clients in the games and esports space. By leveraging our extensive media and entertainment industry experience and talent representation expertise, we are well-positioned to help our clients stay ahead of the curve and achieve their most ambitious goals.
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Licensing | Negotiate and draft complex licensing agreements for gaming technologies, intellectual property, and content. |
| Technology | Advise on the latest advancements in gaming and esports, including emerging technologies like virtual and augmented reality. |
| Advertising | Counsel clients on innovative advertising and sponsorship opportunities in the games and esports industries, ensuring compliance with defamation and privacy laws, royalty and residual payments, and other relevant regulations. |
At Manatt, we are proud to be at the forefront of the games and esports industries, providing our clients with the legal expertise and strategic guidance they need to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you’re a gaming pioneer, an esports visionary, or a marketing trailblazer, we are here to help you unlock your full potential and drive your business forward.
Entertainment Law Services: Comprehensive Legal Solutions
Protecting and monetizing entertainment and media is more critical than ever before. Manatt’s dedicated entertainment law team helps clients find the right strategic partners, creatively structure deals, maintain ownership, and protect their rights across all entertainment and social media platforms. We understand the unique factors that propel your business forward, and our attorneys have experience serving as in-house counsel as well as in non-legal roles in the entertainment industry, offering unparalleled industry insight and knowledge.
Intellectual Property Rights Protection
Our comprehensive legal services include intellectual property rights protection to help clients navigate the ever-evolving landscape of media and entertainment law. We leverage our deep expertise in copyright, trademark, and patent law to safeguard our clients’ most valuable assets, ensuring they maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Contract Negotiation and Drafting
From talent agreements and licensing deals to production financing and distribution contracts, our team excels at negotiating and drafting media and entertainment contracts that protect our clients’ interests and position them for long-term success. We draw on our extensive industry knowledge to craft boundary-pushing agreements that capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
When disputes arise, our entertainment law litigators are equipped to handle complex matters ranging from defamation and censorship issues to creative disputes and royalty negotiations. We work closely with our clients to develop proactive strategies that minimize the risk of litigation while swiftly resolving any conflicts that do arise through mediation, arbitration, or, if necessary, litigation.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Integrated Legal and Consulting
Manatt’s multidisciplinary approach integrates legal and consulting expertise to provide our clients with exceptional guidance tailored to the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. By collaborating across our practice areas, we offer strategic business advisory services to help our clients proactively identify new market opportunities, structure complex deals, and lead in the rapidly changing media and entertainment landscape.
Collaboration Across Practice Areas
Our professionals partner closely with clients to guide them through the legal, commercial, and strategic issues related to their business growth and objectives. We leverage our deep industry knowledge and cross-functional expertise to develop comprehensive solutions that address the unique challenges faced by entertainment industry players.
Strategic Business Advisory
Whether you’re an industry giant or a rising star, our team is dedicated to advancing your business objectives and positioning you for success in this dynamic and rapidly changing sector. We provide strategic business advisory services to help you navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry, seize new opportunities, and stay ahead of the curve.
Trusted Partners for Global Entertainment Clients
As the leader in entertainment law, Manatt has been the go-to firm for some of the biggest global players in the industry for over 45 years. Our
Longstanding Industry Relationships
and deep industry knowledge allow us to deliver unparalleled value and advance our clients’ business objectives. Clients trust Manatt to protect their intellectual property, negotiate complex contracts, and navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape of the entertainment industry.
Whether representing industry giants or rising stars, our team of experienced professionals provides comprehensive legal strategies and guidance tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Delivering Value and Advancing Objectives
Our integrated legal and consulting expertise enables us to partner closely with clients, guiding them through the legal, commercial, and strategic issues related to their business growth and objectives. By collaborating across our practice areas, we offer strategic business advisory services to help clients proactively identify new market opportunities, structure complex deals, and lead in the rapidly changing media and entertainment landscape.
Conclusion: Unparalleled Expertise and Commitment
As the leader in entertainment law, Manatt has been the go-to firm for some of the biggest global players in the industry for over 45 years. Our longstanding relationships and deep industry knowledge allow us to deliver unparalleled value and advance our clients’ business objectives across the ever-evolving landscape of media and entertainment law.
Whether representing industry giants or rising stars, our team of experienced professionals provides comprehensive legal strategies and guidance tailored to each client’s unique needs. We leverage our multidisciplinary approach, integrating legal and consulting expertise, to help clients protect their intellectual property, negotiate boundary-pushing deals, and navigate the complex regulatory environment of the entertainment industry.
At Manatt, our commitment to excellence is unwavering. We are dedicated to positioning our clients for success in this dynamic and rapidly changing sector, leveraging our entertainment law services, intellectual property rights protection, strategic contract negotiation and licensing agreements, and our proven track record in litigation and dispute resolution. Trust Manatt to be your partner in navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry and achieving your business goals.
FAQ
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Source Links
- https://www.manatt.com/entertainment
- https://imslegal.com/
- https://www.nixonpeabody.com/capabilities/practices/entertainment-and-media