Summary
Learn from and Entertainment & IP Attorney at LaneCrowell LLP, whose client's projects have been on Starz, Nickelodeon, Discovery, TLC and more!
Whether you're controlling some valuable intellectual property, looking to secure IP, or simply have a valuable property in the form of a spec script, TV pilot, webseries, digital series, or other filmed material, you are likely going to be confronted with signing or distributing an option agreement. It is imperative that you understand the various types of option agreements and what information should be included to assure that you are not only protecting your material, but yourself legally as well.
As the international content business grows, option agreements have become more and more commonplace. It is the vital piece of the paper trail that will ensure you are exercising and getting all your rights as your project gets made. These agreements are designed to protect both sides of a given deal, but can be complicated and sometimes include unnecessary language or clauses that could serve to hold up your content or payment. before you sign on the dotted line, you need to understand what exactly is an option agreement, who has creative control, how much money can be made and what you need to include to protect your rights up front.
To help you navigate option agreements is Thomas Crowell is an entertainment and intellectual property attorney and partner at LaneCrowell, LLP. Thomas specializes in working with artists whose work you’ve seen on Sony, Starz, Marvel, DC, IDW Publishing, Discovery, and many more.
You won’t be overwhelmed with legal jargon here. Thomas is an expert at showing writers, directors, producers, and more how to understand their agreement and legal options in a tangible way, as seen in his best-selling legal guide for independent producers, The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers.
After watching this on-demand webinar, you’ll know the difference between shopping agreements, option agreements, and purchase agreements, which one is best for your material or the material you’d like the rights to, understand copyright issues, how to ensure you have exclusivity, and all of the deal points that you’ll need to negotiate.
PRAISE FOR THOMAS'S TEACHINGS AT STAGE 32:
"Very informative. The best legal/contract class I have ever attended." -Jon C.
"Mr. Crowell was truly informative and I appreciated that he covered both sides: Producer and Writer (because I am both)." -Elease P.
"Thomas is so clear and precise. I will have to come back many times to be able to absorb all the information. Wonderful and just what I needed." -Prema R.
I have taken Thomas's webinars several times over the years through Stage 32 and I have learned so much. From my personal experience, if you ever in need of an entertainment attorney to represent you when you encounter legal issues with your film, he is the attorney you should go to. Thank you, Thomas Crowell for literally saving my behind! -- Joe P.
What You'll Learn
The Underlying Work
- Value of copyright exclusivity
- Legal requirements for a copyright transfer
Shopping Agreements vs. Option/Purchase Agreements
- What is a shopping agreement?
- What is an option/purchase agreement?
- What are the key differences between them?
- How to spot “Franken-contracts”
The Structure of Option/Purchase Agreements
- Key deal points and their function
- Structure of option agreements
- Structure of purchase agreements
Focus on Heavily Negotiated Deal Points
- Scope of rights granted
- Scope of rights reserved
- Option fee, purchase price, and other compensation
- Credits
- Rights to trailers, additional drafts, sizzle reels, and other “Development Materials”
- Right of (first/last) refusal
- Consultation and other writing services
Q&A with Thomas
THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR A LEGAL OPINION. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT QUESTIONS YOU RAISE DURING THE WORKSHOP ARE NOT CONFIDENTIAL. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE AND SITUATION.
Who Should Attend
All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn learn the difference between shopping agreements, option agreements, and purchase agreements.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the difference between shopping agreements, option agreements, and purchase agreements.
Producers looking to learn the difference between shopping agreements, option agreements, and purchase agreements.
Actors looking to learn the difference between shopping agreements, option agreements, and purchase agreements.
Executive
Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. is an entertainment and intellectual property attorney and partner with the New York law firm of LaneCrowell, LLP. A former television producer and director of development for STN, Thomas counsels clients on a wide range of entertainment law and intellectual property rights issues. He has worked with clients who have had deals with Sony, Starz, TLC, Elsevier Publishing, Discovery Communications, Focal Press, Smithsonian Network, WE: The Women's Entertainment Network, The Science Technology Network, and IDW Publishing. His clients' work is seen in the pages of Marvel and DC Comics and on movie, TV, computer, and mobile screens worldwide.
A frequent columnist for film industry publications, Mr. Crowell is also the author of a best-selling legal guide for independent producers, THE POCKET LAWYER FOR FILMMAKERS, adopted as a core textbook in many film and law schools across the US. His latest book, THE POCKET LAWYER FOR COMIC BOOK CREATORS, is the first dedicated legal guide for the comic book industry. He currently serves as a series editor for Focal Press and its new line of legal guides for artists.
Credits
