Course Description
Introductory Entertainment Law exposes students to a wide range of legal knowledge, practical skills, industry experts, potential clientele and content genre encountered in the field of entertainment, sports and art law. Students will learn about corporate, contract, intellectual property, employment, tax and securities law. Students will practice negotiation, drafting and oral presentation skills. Students will hear from industry experts, including lawyers, agents, managers, and executives. Students will also meet clientele, including athletes, entertainers and/or artists, and for-profit, non-profit, governmental and/or social benefit organizations. The course will also focus on a wide variety of sports, entertainment and artistic genre, including film, television, amateur and professional sports, video games, music, theater and visual art content.
The course is experiential, interdisciplinary and immersive. Student assignments will include reflective journals, stakeholder interviews, negotiation exercises, and a final oral presentation and written project. Students will learn about the legal and business issues encountered in the sports, entertainment and art industries. And outside speakers will include lawyers and clients discussing their experiences with sports, entertainment and art law.
Course Topics: Representation by lawyers, agents, and managers; protection, licensing, infringement and fair use of intellectual property; labor and employment law; negotiation and drafting of contracts; representing for-profit, non-profit, governmental and social benefit organizations; investment, debt, governmental and charitable financing; and specific legal issues related to film, television, sports, video games, music, art and live entertainment.