ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................ xiii
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................1 ix
SECTION 1
Law and Entertainment .................................................................. 7
Chapter 1 Copyright Law ........................................................................9
Introduction 9
In the Beginning 9
What Works Qualify for Copyright Protection? 12
What Can't Be Copyrighted? 15
When Does Copyright Ownership Begin, and What Do You
Have to Do to Secure Copyright Ownership? 24
What Specific Rights Do Copyright Owners Receive? 25
Joint Works 30
Work for Hire 32
How Long Does Copyright Last? 33
Copyright Infringement 35
Fair Use 41
Chapter 2 Music Copyright ...................................................................55
Introduction 55
Music and Copyright Law 56
Music Publishing 63
Licenses 64
Chapter 3 Copyright and Piracy.............................................................71
Introduction 71
The Betamax Case 72
Napster and Grokster 74
YouTube and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act 77
Morality and Digital Piracy 78
Chapter 4 International Copyright .........................................................83
The Berne Convention 83
Moral Rights 84
Chapter 5 First Amendment Law ...........................................................87
Introduction 87
Entertainment and Speech 88
Obscenity 90
x Contents
Indecent Speech 91
The Internet and Indecent Speech 93
Violence in Entertainment 94
Voluntary Censorship 96
Libel and Slander 99
Invasion of Privacy 103
Defamation and Invasion of Privacy: Life Rights Agreements 106
SECTION 2
Entertainment Companies: Growth and Power ............................ 115
Chapter 6 The FCC and Government Regulation of the Media...............117
Introduction 117
Vertical and Horizontal Integration 118
The FCC: Basics 119
The Right to Broadcast 120
FCC Media Ownership Rules: 1934-1980 121
Film Regulation: 1934-1980 123
TV and Film Regulation Since 1980 123
Regulation: Where We Are Today 126
Chapter 7 Media Growth and Ownership..............................................127
Introduction 127
Film: The First Few Decades 128
The Early Days of Radio and Television 132
Media Conglomeration 135
Media Ownership Today 143
The Impact of Media Conglomeration 146
Chapter 8 Unions, Agents and Managers .............................................153
Entertainment Unions 153
Agents and Managers 163
SECTION 3
What Studios Do ....................................................................... 171
Chapter 9 Development ......................................................................173
Choosing Ideas 173
Studio Film Development 179
Television Development 181
Some Thoughts About Development Hell 183
The End of Development 184
Which Studio Departments Manage Development? 185
Production and Post-Production: The Filmmakers
Take Over 187
Chapter 10 Distribution ........................................................................191
Introduction 191
The Cost of Film Distribution 191
Contents xi
Distribution Strategy 193
Distribution Personnel and Activities 194
Following the Money 195
The Impact of High Distribution Costs 197
Television Distribution 199
Internet Distribution 204
Other Studio Departments 204
SECTION 4
Money and Contracts................................................................. 209
A Few Words About the Negotiating Process 210
Chapter 11 Gross and Net Proceeds......................................................213
Introduction 213
Film Accounting: When is a Film Profitable? 213
Gross Proceeds and Net Proceeds 214
Chapter 12 Entertainment Contracts ....................................................227
Introduction 227
Rights Agreements: Option/Purchase Contracts 227
Agreements for Screenwriters 239
Agreements for Directors 244
Agreements for Actors 249
Agreements for Producers 252
Chapter 13 Independent Film Development, Financing,
Contracts and Distribution ..................................................263
Introduction 263
Development 263
Film Financing 264
Television Financing 268
Negotiating Contracts with Independent Filmmakers 269
Film Distribution 270
Film Finance and Distribution Deals 271
SECTION 5
Voices ....................................................................................... 277
Chapter 14 Making It Into the Business ................................................279
Hamilton Sterling 287
Dana Lustig 290
Maureen Tunney 293
INDEX ................................................................................................. 297
