10 October

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Chain of Title, Title Reports, Copyright Reports, and Certificates of Clearance

During the Hollywood Park Film Festival in 2025, where I served as a panelist on the “Deal or No Deal” legal discussion, several filmmakers and producers approached me with detailed questions about title searches, copyright searches, and other intellectual property clearance issues. Many were surprised to learn that before a film can be distributed or insured, it must pass these legal checkpoints — verifying that its title is unique, its creative materials are properly licensed, and its ownership chain is complete....

05 October

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The Journey of Copyright in Filmmaking

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Trademark Law

From a creative perspective, a film is art — a story told through motion, image, and sound. From a legal standpoint, however, a film is an array of intellectual property rights carefully bound together into a single commercial product....

29 September

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Film Financing & Minimum Guarantee (MG) Agreements

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Trademark Law

Hello everyone, On October 6th, 2025 at 04:00 pm, I’ll be speaking on a panel at the Film Festival at Hollywood Park about film financing and distribution deals. One of the most misunderstood yet crucial deal types for indie filmmakers today is the Minimum Guarantee (MG) Agreement....

22 September

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Film Deals and Intellectual Property

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Trademark Law

Today we will talk about different types of deals in filmmaking — how films are financed, how distribution is secured, and what legal pitfalls filmmakers need to watch out for. On October 6th, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., I will be speaking on a panel at the Hollywood Park Film Festival, answering questions from filmmakers and industry professionals about these very issues....

14 September

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Pay-or-Play vs. “Pay-if-You-Fail” deals in Film Contracts

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law

Independent filmmaking is full of excitement — new ideas, creative energy, and the promise of seeing your vision on screen. But it’s also full of risk, especially financial risk. One of the most misunderstood (and potentially dangerous) areas is how you attach talent to your project....

12 June

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Legal aspects of AI-Created movies

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law

Today we will talk about legal implications of films made with the use of AI. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the filmmaking process is no longer a speculative trend—it is a present reality. AI is now capable of generating scripts, creating synthetic voices and faces, and even rendering entire scenes or performances that resemble real individuals. While these tools offer groundbreaking creative possibilities, they also bring about complex legal questions—especially when it comes to the unauthorized use of a person’s likeness....

14 May

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

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law

In the fast-paced, often chaotic world of independent film production, it's easy to overlook paperwork in favor of creativity. Budgets are tight. Time is short. Everyone’s wearing multiple hats. But one document that should never be skipped is the general liability release....

14 May

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US Copyright Office Declares Commercial AI Use Exceeds Fair Use Boundaries

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law

Hello everyone! Today, we're going to talk about commercial AI use. The U.S. Copyright Office has recently clarified its position on the use of copyrighted materials in training artificial intelligence (AI) models. In a statement, the Office asserted that employing copyrighted works for commercial AI purposes "goes beyond established fair use boundaries." This determination is based on concerns that such practices could produce outputs that directly compete with original works, potentially undermining the market for human creators....

29 March

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Trademark Registration in the U.S. — Why a Complete Search Is Essential

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law, Trademark Law

Hello everyone, Today we’ll discuss why conducting a trademark search is essential before registering a trademark. Establishing and protecting a brand is one of the most important steps a business can take. A strong trademark can be a valuable business asset, helping to distinguish your products or services in a crowded marketplace. But before investing in a name, logo, or slogan, you must ensure that your mark is available and legally safe to use....

26 March

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Armorers on Film Sets: Legal Requirements, Best Practices: California and New York

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law

Today we will talk about atmorers on the film set. Firearms add realism and intensity to films, but when mishandled, they can lead to tragedy. The presence of a qualified armorer is essential for safety—and in places like California and New York, it’s also the law....