LAW3515 ENTERTAINMENT LAW
4 General Credits
Whether it's the scandal surrounding sexual harassment lawsuits brought against Hollywood media mogul, Harvey Weinstein, accusations that pop singer Ed Sheeran engaged in copyright theft when he wrote _Thinking Out Loud_, or debates about how much Spotify should pay artists whose music they showcase, the entertainment industry is by far one of the most lucrative and newsworthy sectors of the global business economy. It encompasses everything from the latest Oscar winning films and Tony award winning plays to books on the New York times best seller list, online games and their music soundtracks, start up indie rock bands offering downloads of their music, as well as the fashion and sports industries. This course will explore legal and business issues relating to the development, production, exploitation and regulation of the entertainment industry. We will cover such topics as the intellectual property rights of artists, producers, publishers, fashion designers and celebrity athletes; the negotiation and formation of entertainment business contracts; the responsibilities of agents, managers and lawyers to the talent they represent; and 1st amendment issues relating to free speech and obscenity laws. All of this will be covered against the backdrop of examining such entertainment products as films, live/recorded/online music, streaming services, in print and ebooks, on line games, fashion, art, and other forms of new media. Please note that this course will be offered this Fall of 2018, and not again until the Fall of 2020.
Prerequisites: LAW1000