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....
Continue readingThe 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....
Continue readingCopyright owners are also aggressively enforcing their rights through AI-powered searches. Many demand letters accuse content creators of using copyrighted images, videos, music, or text without permission. Even small portions of copyrighted material can trigger enforcement actions....
Continue readingWhen writing fiction, authors often incorporate real-world brands, products, and trademarks to lend authenticity to their stories. For instance, a character might drive an old Ford pickup, sip Coke at a restaurant, or even own a vintage airplane. While this adds realism, it raises legal questions about trademark use....
Continue readingImagine this scenario: You start a film production company in California and use a distinctive name for your business over several years. By consistently operating under this specific name, you naturally acquire common law trademark rights. These rights play a crucial role in protecting your business's identity. They essentially prevent other film production companies in the same geographical area from using an identical or confusingly similar name. This form of protection is grounded in unfair competition laws, which are designed to avoid confusion among consumers and safeguard the reputation and brand recognition you've established for your film production company....
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The strength of a trademark significantly impacts its protectability and effectiveness in identifying and distinguishing a brand. Generic trademarks offer no protection due to their commonality. Descriptive trademarks are protectable only after acquiring a secondary meaning. Suggestive trademarks, being more abstract, are inherently protectable. Arbitrary trademarks rank among the strongest due to their uniqueness and distinctiveness....
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