Some problems in the entertainment world that require legal help

When most people imagine the work of a lawyer, they probably imagine someone standing in front of a jury trying to convince twelve men and women, using strong facts and emotions, to see their way through a particular case. Thanks to television and movies, this characterization of a lawyer is certainly reasonable. And there are incredible trial lawyers who spend their careers in a courtroom arguing on behalf of their clients. However, the reality is that the overwhelming amount of work that falls on most attorneys is done away from the limelight created by a public trial. Instead, the men and women of the legal profession often work behind the scenes to protect the professions, reputations and finances of those for whom they work. Such is the case with attorneys who practice entertainment law, and Texas has a need for such attorneys for a diverse set of circumstances within the many creative fields that find a home in our state.

Entertainment law covers a wide spectrum of issues that affect people who are in some way involved with the arts. Clients who require the services of an entertainment attorney may include athletes, actors, singers, songwriters, producers, and anyone else who uses their talents for the public’s enjoyment. Think of all the ways someone in the entertainment field would need legal protection. There is a constant threat to one’s reputation, courtesy of disgruntled workers and the paparazzi. Imagine if someone like Angelina Jolie and now Jon or Kate Gosselin had to tackle all the tabloid rumors themselves. In addition, there is a need to ensure that an actor gets his due not only when a television show first airs, but when it is still alive through the distribution and sale of DVDs. With new technologies capturing movies and TV shows in ways not anticipated just a few years ago, actors are eager to renegotiate contracts for future compensation. Or suppose you are a serious artist whose paintings hang in the most respected galleries in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, or Dallas. Do you want your artwork to be copied and then mass produced into T-shirts for all Texas teens to wear? Through copyright law, entertainment attorneys can protect your images so that they are used only in the context that you want them to.

While there is no shortage of entertainment of any kind in Texas, there are two areas that are of particular importance to our state. We have an incredible music industry in Texas, and Austin is especially known for his cultivation of talent. Singers, songwriters, music producers, record label owners, they all have a significant investment in the talent that is being packaged. Artist recording contracts should be written to determine a singer’s ties to a record label, as well as the freedom they will have in the creative process. What if another artist loves your work and wants to integrate it into their own new recording? Attorneys will be needed to prepare the necessary licenses for music sampling. And, even though the singers who appear on stage in sold-out stadiums and find themselves in high rotation in the weekly video countdown are the ones who generally get the glory for a great song, songwriters need to know that their work is being validated both financially and with due recognition where appropriate.

In addition to the wonderful music that Texans offer to the rest of the world, everyone knows that the residents of our great state love their sports. Whether we’re cheering for our favorite high school team under the lights on a Friday night or welcoming home the most famous rider on the planet from another unlikely victory, we appreciate athletes and the value they bring to our time. recreational. With this ingrained emphasis on children across the Lone Star State, it’s no wonder we have more athletes than we have in our state. Additionally, great athletes come to Texas from across the country to play for one of our many professional organizations. All of these men and women need contracts to ensure that they receive fair compensation for their contributions to the sport of their choice. Over the course of a career, it is not unlikely that an athlete will need an attorney to help with disputes involving agents, managers, or player associations. We’ve all seen the news detailing what happens when salary negotiations break down or a player doesn’t feel like he’s getting the field time he deserves. What about income opportunities that may arise outside of the sports arena? When you see Dale Earnhardt, Jr. endorsing Wrangler Jeans or Tiger Woods talking about the great virtues of Gatorade, you can be sure that the attorneys were involved in these partnership negotiations.

Men and women who choose to pursue careers within the entertainment industry are sure to find the need for legal representation at some point. Even with the most fluid professional experience, artists must deal with necessary acts like signing contracts, preparing a tour schedule, and lending their image to others seeking endorsement. When problems arise, the problems are often magnified through the lens of the celebrity and an aggressive and dedicated entertainment law attorney is required. When an artist or athlete does not receive adequate compensation, when efforts are made to extort money for tempting information that may or may not be true, or when injuries occur due to inappropriate working conditions, the role of the entertainment attorney becomes Even more important. imperative.

Due to its burgeoning music scene and renowned athletic traditions, as well as the efforts our state is making to attract more film production (Michigan and Louisiana notwithstanding), Texas can easily fall between states like California and New York that are perhaps the more obvious. places where entertainment law is prolific. If you live or work in Texas and have a connection to any aspect of the entertainment industry, you should make hiring an attorney a top priority. When a problem develops that may affect your livelihood or even your own well-being, you will be able to act immediately.