With offices situated in the center of the entertainment industry, Greenberg Traurig has one of the nation’s preeminent, full-service entertainment practices. Our entertainment team focuses on the music, motion picture, television, live stage and cable industries, including the convergence of new technologies, digital delivery systems and the role of advertising and sponsor driven financing models. We have critical access to key players in the entertainment industry and provide clients with the pragmatic, time sensitive and dedicated counsel needed to thrive in today’s multi-disciplined, multimedia entertainment marketplace.
Greenberg Traurig helps to shape and maintain the careers of recording artists, producers, record and publishing company executives, managers, production companies, publishers and songwriters in the music sector. Our team drafts and negotiates record, publishing, producer, management, distribution, touring, merchandising, corporate sponsorship, license and Internet agreements. We consult with artists and record publishing companies regarding their entertainment and Internet strategies and the protection of their intellectual property rights.
Greenberg Traurig provides counsel to actors, writers, directors, producers, managers, production and distribution companies, networks and studios in the film, television, cable, and interactive media sectors. From drafting and negotiating performer agreements and television series distribution agreements to complex revenue sharing cross-discipline license agreements, our entertainment attorneys cover all aspects of the business.
Our attorneys are also well versed in the media and cable television industries and provide services to national cable networks as well as regional carriers and affiliates. Our experience in this area spans a wide range of issues including radio station, cable network and broadcast station acquisitions and financings, broadcast network, cable and other television distribution affiliate agreements, all phases of creation, operation and financing of media businesses and Internet-based entertainment ventures.
Greenberg Traurig was among the first in the country to create a branded media practice focused on the growing use of advertising and sponsor funded productions to integrate brands into their productions. This part of the practice brings together brand managers, marketing and promotions executives with talent and creative decision-makers at the studio level to collaborate in creating television and film properties, as well as endorsement and sponsorship opportunities.
Representative Transactions
- Drafting license agreements for and consulting with leading companies involved in the digital distribution of music over the Internet
- Creating and negotiating multiple joint venture and distribution arrangements between a number of artist-run and independent record labels and major distribution companies/record labels
- Negotiation of "Grammy CD" compilation arrangement between "Big 6" record companies and non-profit entertainment company
- Consulting with artists regarding Internet strategies and enhancement and protection of intellectual property rights
- Negotiation of major television agreement for leading Latin American talk show host, including various Internet and new media components
- Financing for one of the United States’ top cable channels and subsidiaries
- Negotiating agreements related to operation of a leading artist-run Internet webcasting site, including arrangements with Real Networks, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC
- Representation of a leading record industry association in its network television negotiations
Core Services
- Artist and professional athlete management and representation
- Artist recording agreements and producer agreements
- Book publishing negotiation and agreements
- Broadway - live stage productions
- Branded media
- Celebrity endorsements and sponsorship agreements
- Charitable fund raising events
- Employment agreements
- Entertainment facility development and financing
- Film financing, production and distribution
- Internet-based entertainment ventures
- Investment and financing agreements
- Joint-venture, P&D and distribution agreements
- Live engagement and touring agreements
- Management and merchandising agreements
- Music publishing and administration agreements
- New media and communications
- Partnership, producer and production agreements
- Recording agreements
- Royalty and participation audits
- Talent agreements
- Television financing, production and syndication
- Trademark and copyright counseling, prosecution and litigation
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