Film and Television Law
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Entertainment Law course at Stanmore School of Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Film and Television Law Glossary #
Film and Television Law Glossary
1 #
Agent
- An individual or entity authorized to represent an artist, such as an actor, w… #
- An individual or entity authorized to represent an artist, such as an actor, writer, or director, in securing work opportunities and negotiating contracts on their behalf.
2 #
Assignment
- The transfer of rights or obligations under a contract from one party to anoth… #
In the context of entertainment law, this often refers to the transfer of intellectual property rights.
3 #
Chain of Title
- A legal term referring to the history of ownership of a piece of intellectual… #
A clear chain of title is essential for securing distribution deals.
4 #
Copyright
- A form of intellectual property that grants the creator of an original work ex… #
In film and television, copyright protects scripts, screenplays, and other creative works.
5 #
Defamation
- The act of making false statements about an individual that harm their reputat… #
Defamation can be a significant legal issue in the entertainment industry, particularly for public figures.
6 #
Development Deal
- An agreement between a production company or studio and a writer, director, or… #
Development deals often involve payment for the creation of a script or pitch.
7 #
Exclusivity
- A contractual provision that grants one party the exclusive right to represent… #
Exclusivity can be limited by territory or time.
8 #
Fair Use
- A legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permi… #
- A legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holder for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, or education.
9 #
Guild
- An organization that represents the interests of workers in a particular indus… #
Guilds negotiate collective bargaining agreements on behalf of their members.
10 #
Indemnification
- A contractual provision in which one party agrees to compensate another party… #
Indemnification is common in film and television contracts.
11 #
Joint Venture
- A business arrangement in which two or more parties agree to work together on… #
Joint ventures are common in the film and television industry for co-productions.
12 #
License
- A legal permission granted by the rights holder to another party to use or exp… #
Licenses often involve payment of royalties.
13 #
Merchandising
- The practice of using a popular film or television property to create and sell… #
Merchandising can be a significant revenue stream for entertainment companies.
14 #
Option Agreement
- A contract in which one party pays another party for the exclusive right to pu… #
- A contract in which one party pays another party for the exclusive right to purchase or produce a particular piece of intellectual property, such as a script or book, within a specified time frame.
15 #
Personal Service Contract
- A contract between an individual performer, such as an actor or director, and… #
Personal service contracts often include provisions related to exclusivity and compensation.
16 #
Publicity Rights
- The legal right of an individual to control the commercial use of their name,… #
Publicity rights are particularly important in the film and television industry for marketing and merchandising.
17 #
Residuals
- Payments made to actors, writers, directors, and other creative talent for the… #
Residuals are a key source of income for entertainment industry professionals.
18 #
Screenplay
- The written text of a film or television show, including dialogue, stage direc… #
Screenplays are the blueprint for a production and are protected by copyright.
19 #
Sequel
- A film or television show that continues the story or characters of a previous… #
Sequels are common in the entertainment industry as a way to capitalize on the success of a popular property.
20 #
Spec Script
- A screenplay written by a writer on speculation, meaning it is not commissione… #
Spec scripts are often used as writing samples to showcase a writer's talent.
21 #
Subsidiary Rights
- Rights to exploit a film or television property in additional formats or marke… #
Subsidiary rights can be a valuable source of revenue for rights holders.
22 #
Talent Release
- A legal document in which an individual grants permission for their name, imag… #
Talent releases are essential for avoiding legal issues related to publicity rights.
23 #
Trademark
- A word, phrase, symbol, or design that distinguishes a product or service from… #
Trademarks are important in the entertainment industry for branding and marketing purposes.
24 #
Treatment
- A written document that outlines the key elements of a film or television show… #
Treatments are often used to pitch projects to studios or production companies.
25 #
Union
- An organization that represents the interests of workers in a particular indus… #
Unions negotiate collective bargaining agreements and work to protect the rights of their members.
26 #
Work for Hire
- A legal arrangement in which a creator agrees to produce a work for a client o… #
The client or employer typically owns the rights to the work created under a work for hire agreement.