We invite you to view the following two minute videos that will provide an overview of each of the firm's major business law practice areas.
Close Video

 


Entertainment and Sports Law

Nissenbaum Blogs
Film, Television and Music Production Law Blog

Is a notice terminating a license to use a copyrighted composition sufficient to establish willful copyright infringement?
In a recent decision, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York held that evidence that a record company continued to sell records containing copyrighted compositions after receiving a notice terminating its compulsory licenses for failure...

Will the Use of Common Elements and Themes Leave Filmmakers Susceptible to Copyright Infringement Suits?
Tales of drug-dealing, jail time and growing up in the ghetto are too common to be considered original elements of a copyrighted work. The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey recently granted hip-hop artist 50 Cent’s...

What are the Intellectual Property Aspects of Pitching a Proposed Television Show?
We routinely have potential clients contact us about handling the legal aspects of a proposed television show. Most of the time, this sort of inquiry involves one of two categories: (a) a reality series or (b) a minor celebrity-sponsored advice...

The Nissenbaum Law Group's focus in commercial law has given it the experience of advising numerous business clients, providing it with a unique understanding of the intersection between the legal and business aspects of the sports and entertainment industries.

The firm is committed to provide each client with a comprehensive, cost-effective solution that is protective of the client's rights and at the same time conducive to promoting that client's particular talents. One of the most important aspects of the representation of athletes and artists is the establishment and maintenance of that individual as a "brand." The firm is especially mindful of this. It works to protect the strength of the client's brand through careful negotiation and contract drafting, and by utilizing prevailing intellectual property laws.

The firm's services in this area include:

  • Organizational documents for musical groups
  • Athlete and celebrity endorsement and appearance agreements
  • Formation of independent record labels and management, production and publishing companies
  • Purchase and sale of independent record labels and other entertainment entities
  • Review and negotiation of recording, CD and music video production and management agreements
  • Negotiation of literary and screenplay rights
  • Event sponsorship agreements
  • Pre-production review for television, film and print media
  • Negotiation of music and branding-related clearances
  • Negotiation of publishing rights related to theater productions
  • Review and negotiation of television and film talent agreements
  • Registration, maintenance and enforcement of copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights, including practice before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board on behalf of singers, songwriters, bands and corporate entities
  • Litigation of trademark and copyright infringement claims
  • Review and negotiation of license, assignment and royalty agreements

In 2010, Laura Magedoff, the principal of our firm who heads our Entertainment & Sports Law Practice Group, was elected Chair of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association. In addition, some of our past and present attorneys have previously worked in a variety of Entertainment and Sports-related legal departments, including: Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games of 2002, SFX Sports Group as a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Shooting Gallery, Inc., Tapestry International, Ltd, and Zomba Recording Corp.

Published Works:

Pay or Play? The Jeremy Bloom Decision and the NCAA Amateurism Rules, 13 Fordham Intell. Prop. Media & Ent. L.J. 673 (2003), Spring, 2003

If you have questions about how we can assist you with your entertainment or sports law matters, please contact us.



Law Blogs
Nissenbaum Law Blog

Television, Film & Music Law Blog

Is a notice terminating a license to use a copyrighted composition sufficient to establish willful copyright infringement? READ FULL POST

Will the use of common elements and themes leave filmmakers susceptible to copyright infringement suits? READ FULL POST

What are the Intellectual Property Aspects of Pitching a Proposed Television Show? READ FULL POST

When is an idea for a television show so "substantially similar" to the idea for another that it violates copyright law? READ FULL POST

May a ticket broker be sued for selling event tickets that it does not actually possess? READ FULL POST

When is a billboard too racy? READ FULL POST

One cannot use someone else's trademark under the "historical use" exception unless it is true historical use. READ FULL POST

A Federal Court analyzes whether one manuscript allegedly violates the copyright protection of another. READ FULL POST

Contest submission concerns. READ FULL POST

Music licenses for film productions. READ FULL POST

Use of copyright material in background scene: Gottlieb Development, LLC v. Paramount Pictures, Corp.: Fair use prevails, but provides a reminder of the importance of pre-production clearance. READ FULL POST

New York enacts the Piracy Protection Act. READ FULL POST

 

New Jersey Office
2400 Morris Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083
P. 908.686.8000
F. 908.686.8550

New York Office
140 Broadway, 46th Floor
New York, New York 10005
P. 212.871.5711
F. 212.871.5712

Pennsylvania Office
1500 Market Street 12th Floor
East Tower
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
P. 215.523.9350
F. 215.523.9395

Texas Office
100 Crescent Court
7th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75201
P. 214.222.0020
F. 214.222.0029
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING © 2010 Nissenbaum Law Group, LLC. All rights reserved