19 February

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Duty to Communicate: A Matter of Respect, Not Just Ethics

He told me he had been doing this for 35 years, and countless clients have told him, "You are the only attorney who calls back the same day." That really stuck with me. I realized that something as simple as timely communication is often overlooked in the legal profession. From that moment on, I adopted the same practice: if a client calls or emails me, I respond the same day—even if it’s just to acknowledge their message and let them know when I’ll get back with a full answer. And if I ever reach a point where I can't keep up...

18 February

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Life Story Purchase Agreements: A Comparative Analysis of New York and California

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law

For entertainment lawyers, producers, and screenwriters operating in either New York or California, understanding these differences is crucial for structuring life story purchase agreements that minimize legal risks while ensuring enforceability. In New York, contracts tend to be more straightforward but may require additional safeguards against claims of false endorsement or defamation. Legal practitioners should ensure that any agreement includes comprehensive release clauses, indemnification provisions, and waivers of claims to prevent disputes over portrayals in films or television adaptations. In California, the negotiation process is often more complex due to its stronger right of publicity laws and posthumous protections. Life story purchase...

17 February

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Minor Actors on Film Sets: New York vs. California Laws

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law

When hiring minor actors for a film production, understanding the legal requirements in different states is crucial. New York and California have specific laws governing child performers, but they differ in key areas such as work permits, education, and working hours....

15 February

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How to get financing for your independent film: Insights from lawyer Ernest Goodman

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law

Unfortunately, if your film isn't produced by Netflix, it's likely to be buried in their content library, and the same applies to Amazon. These platforms typically don't actively market films unless they're labeled as Amazon or Netflix originals. While there are distribution companies that can place your film on Netflix, significant earnings are not guaranteed. From my experience with numerous films, Netflix is often where they go to die....

13 February

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Essential Elements of an Investor Contract in Filmmaking

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law

Securing funding for a film is one of the most critical steps in production, and a well-structured Investor Agreement ensures transparency, protects both parties, and sets clear financial expectations. Whether you’re a filmmaker seeking funding or an investor looking for a solid return, understanding how these agreements work is key....

11 February

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The Crucial Role of a Certificate of Clearance in Film Financing: Insights from Lawyer Ernest Goodman

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Trademark Law

Financiers and distributors are pivotal in transforming screenplays into cinematic realities. However, their support comes with a caveat: a strict adherence to legal assurances. Without a certificate of clearance, these entities fear the legal repercussions of copyright infringement, which can lead to costly lawsuits and project derailments. Hence, they typically refrain from financing projects lacking this essential document....

10 February

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Overly broad interpretations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in cybersecurity

Ethical hacking involves utilizing mathematical and programming abilities to pinpoint weak areas or susceptibilities in information systems. The hacking realm is categorized based on purpose, with a white hat hacker being an ethical hacker with good intentions. These professionals specialize in penetration testing and other examination methodologies that guarantee the security of an organization's information systems. Most ethical hackers possess advanced knowledge in mathematics, computer programming, networking, and operating systems....

10 February

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How to Sell Your Screenplay at a Major Film Festival (Santa Barbara, Sundance, etc.)

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Trademark Law

Selling a screenplay at a festival is about relationships, persistence, and strategic networking. Don't go expecting to sell on the spot—focus on making connections that lead to future opportunities. By researching attendees, preparing your pitch, and networking effectively, you can increase your chances of getting your screenplay into the right hands....

10 February

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Legal Implications of Electronic Surveillance in Event Security

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in cybersecurity

As technology continues to advance, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for individuals, businesses, and governments. To protect sensitive data and prevent cyber threats, the United States has implemented various cybersecurity laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws can have significant legal consequences. In this post, we will explore some of the potential legal ramifications that individuals or organizations may face for non-compliance with cybersecurity laws in the US....

10 February

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Copyright and AI-Generated Works: What You Need to Know

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Trademark Law

The rise of artificial intelligence in content creation has raised complex legal questions, particularly regarding copyright ownership and intellectual property rights. The U.S. Copyright Office and courts have consistently held that copyright protection applies only to works created by human authors. This means that works fully generated by AI—without substantial human creative input—are not eligible for copyright under current law....

Duty to Communicate: A Matter of Respect, Not Just Ethics

Life Story Purchase Agreements: A Comparative Analysis of New York and California

Minor Actors on Film Sets: New York vs. California Laws

How to get financing for your independent film: Insights from lawyer Ernest Goodman

Essential Elements of an Investor Contract in Filmmaking

The Crucial Role of a Certificate of Clearance in Film Financing: Insights from Lawyer Ernest Goodman

Overly broad interpretations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

How to Sell Your Screenplay at a Major Film Festival (Santa Barbara, Sundance, etc.)

Legal Implications of Electronic Surveillance in Event Security

Copyright and AI-Generated Works: What You Need to Know

Immigration Court vs. Real Court: What’s the Difference?

The Dignity Act: A Bipartisan Approach to Immigration

Legal Aspects of AI-Created Movies: Right of Publicity

Do You Really Need a General Liability Release in Independent Filmmaking?

US Copyright Office Declares Commercial AI Use Exceeds Fair Use Boundaries

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