The film business
has changed a lot in recent years due to the technical possibilities and changes in user behavior. Streaming services (Netflix, Amazon, and others) have redefined the traditional value chains. Digitization determines the production and exploitation possibilities. I advise creatives, producers, distributors, and other participants in all areas of the film and television business, e.g., in the context of the development of a film idea to a treatment and a script, the clearance of music rights, the avoidance of conflicts with personal rights, within all production stages from financing to the first day of shooting to post-production and subsequent exploitation in cinemas, on television, or via streaming providers. I provide legal support for national and international film productions, including rights clearance and the drafting and negotiating of all necessary contracts in German or English.
I represent, for example, screenwriters, producers, directors, actors, film and television professionals, film composers, musicians, agencies, publishers, film schools, film archives, television stations, and other participants on their film and copyright issues.
Typical areas of advice:
- Option contracts
- Shopping agreements
- Screenwriter contracts, story development, exposés, treatments
- Co-writing contracts, showrunner deals
- Literary purchase agreements
- Biographical pictures (biopics)
- Documentaries
- Remakes, sequels, prequels
- Claims to appropriate remuneration (§ 32, 32a UrhG)
- Protection of moral rights (credits, integrity)
- Artificial intelligence (AI) in film production
- Claims for information and accounting
- Clearance of image rights
- Clearance of personal rights
- Clearance of music rights
- Co-production agreements, cooperation agreements
- Production contracts for TV broadcasters, streaming companies
- Licensing for TV broadcasters or streaming companies
- TV and streaming format rights
- TV and streaming series
- Contracts with film funds
- Film financing
- Actor contracts
- Director contracts
- Employment contracts with film professionals
- Distribution agreements, world sales agreements
- International co-productions
- Merchandising contracts
- Product placement, advertising, sponsoring
- Film music contracts, synch and master-use licenses
- Digital exploitation (such as Internet, mobile, TVOD, SVOD)
- Collecting societies
- License settlements, profit sharing agreements
- Trademark and title protection
- Claims arising from GDR (DDR) contracts and films
- International contracts
- Advice to heirs and legal successors
- Claims for injunctive relief and damages
- Representation in court
You can also find out more about law and practice in the film industry in my "Practical Handbook on Film Law" (“
Praxishandbuch Filmrecht”), which deals with all relevant topics in the film business.
I would be glad to talk to you about your legal needs. Contact me
here.
