ENTERTAINMENT LAW CIRCULAR
March 2023
|
|
Pierce Law Group LLP Attends SLAMDANCE 2023 |
|
January wrapped up this year's Slamdance Film Festival. Located in Park City, this festival showcases true independent filmmaking.
Along with attending, the Pierce Law Group LLP team help daily legal clinics. Open to all and stocked with cookies and Hot Cocoa, this clinic covered essential topics like clearance, distribution, tax rebates, producer deals and more!
Our firm was also pleased to award the winners of this year's Narrative Feature Grand Jury Prize and Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize with a $5,000 credit in legal services from Pierce LLP.
Congrats to all the winners, and here's to next year!
|
|
Pierce Law Group LLP has been a proud sponsor of Slamdance Film Festival since 1998 and serves as general counsel for this once upstart, but now well-established festival which caters to indies with an attitude. If your are looking for counsel with years of experience in independent filmmaking, you've found it! For a consultation, reach out to clients@piercellp.com !
|
|
David Albert Pierce Speaks on Rust Charges |
|
David Albert Pierce was invited by NewsNation to speak on the charges placed against Alec Baldwin for the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Speaking live with Leland Vittert on On Balance, David Albert Pierce used his lengthy experience with Film Crisis Counseling to highlight the main issues in this case, and suggest the best manner in which Baldwin and him team should move forward.
|
|
Pierce Law Group LLP has experience in crisis management ..... |
|
David A Pierce Quoted in Huffpost Article |
Having heard of Pierce Law Group LLPs expertise in this area, journalist Monica Torres reached out to our founding partner to gain insight into the world on child-acting. David A Pierce went to lengths about the nut and bolts of using minors on set, and shared what he felt was under looked in current regulations: the role the parents. To read this article, click here!
|
|
Pierce Law Group LLP has been a longtime industry leader in advising both major studios and independent producers on the many different laws that govern the use of child labor in the entertainment industry. If you plan to use child actors in your next project, consult with us before you begin! |
|
Industry Wisdom:
A look at Some Recent News Affecting the Entertainment Industry
|
|
Rick Astley Sues Rapper over Vocal Imitation |
|
Singer Rick Astley is suing rapper, Yung Gravy, over using an imitation of Astley voice in the rapper's recent Gold record "Betty (Get Money)".
While Yung Gravy's team claims to have cleared the use of the "Never Gonna Give You Up" composition, the central point of issue lies in the song's use of vocals bearing striking resemblance to Astley's. The lawsuit claims that Gravy did not secure the license to use actual sound recordings from the track, known as the process of sampling. Instead, the vocals were done by an individual known as Popnick, and shares style of Astley's singing in "Never Gonna Give You Up." By conducting and utilizing this impersonation without Astley's permission, his team claims that Yung Gravy and Popnick violated the singer's right of publicity.
While Interpolation has been a widespread practice in the music industry, the use of re-recorded existing music or portions of such music, this multi-million dollar decision may impact the line between interpolation and sampling.
|
|
Pierce Law Group LLP has been a longtime industry leader in advising both major studios and independent producers on the many different laws that govern the use of child labor in the entertainment industry. If you plan to use child actors in your next project, consult with us before you begin! |
|
Directors Guild New Contract Negotiations on Pause |
Directors Guild Members were notified earlier this year that negotiations for the DGA Basic Contract had been paused. Now, the DGA states they will begin the negotiations on May10.
The Basic Contract is made with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and applies to Directors, Assistant Directors, and Unit Production Managers working in Film and Television. The contract is set to expire on June 30th. In years past, the DGA would have already begun the bargaining process with the AMPTP in February, but this year they claimed the association was not presently ready to address the main concerns of the DGA. Amidst news of the WGA strengthening their demands and negotiation team, the DGA now has stated they will begin their after the WGA talks , scheduled for March 20th.
This will be the first time since 2008 that the Director's Guild will enter negotiations after the WGA.
Excerpt from the Original DGA letter sent FEB 2023 announcing the delay:
"The date we begin to bargain is far from the most important issue. The more important issue at stake is whether the Studios will decide to appropriately address the concerns of our members. Those concerns include wages, streaming residuals, safety, creative rights and diversity. If the Studios do not address these issues, they know we are prepared to fight."
|
|
Lizzo Wins Trademark Appeal for "100% THAT B* " |
|
A year ago, Lizzo was denied a trademark for the phrase "100% that b-h," that became extremely popular following the release of her single "Truth Hurts." Now, the United States Patent and Trademark Office's Trademark Trial and Appeal board reversed their previous decision.
The claim was originally struck down, as the Trademark board ruled the phrase was a "commonplace expression," thus was not specific enough for Lizzo to own and utilize in merchandise.
The song in which the phrase is used shot Lizzo to stardom, and remains as her longest-running number 1 hit. The phrase is question became popular in social media and meme-culture following the songs release.
In the official ruling, the appeals board found there was little evidence of the phrase " 100% that b-h" prior to the songs release, which gives little to suggest its widespread use. Further, they deemed that consumers would be more than likely to associate the phrase with Lizzo. Taking these facts into consideration, the revisit of Lizzo's Trademark application lead to an approval.
|
|
Looking to secure a trademark? Pierce Law Group LLP has a plethora of experience working with the United States Trademark Office securing the Intellectual property of our clients. Contact us for your trademark needs today! |
|
Pierce Law Group LLP Client News |
|
|
|
Life Upside Down Now Streaming |
Following Pierce Law Group LLP client Cecilia Miniucchi premiere of her film Life Upside Down at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, the film enjoyed a theatrical run. It follows the complex relationships between the characters, all trapped at home by the Covid-19 pandemic. The film, now being distributed by IFC, is available to watch NOW on Amazon Video. The film stars Bob Odenkirk, Danny Huston and Radha Mitchel.
|
|
|
Delivery Tour Kicks off in SoCal |
Pierce Law Group LLP client Eric Schwartz new special Delivery has just been released onto Youtube. To celebrate, Eric going on tour! His shows begin in Los Angles, and have been planned through early June with back-to-back shows in Las Vegas. If you're looking for a laugh, check out the Delivery Tour and secure tickets today! TOUR INFO
|
|
|
|
|
LeVar Burton to Reprise Role in Picard
|
Pierce Law Group LLP client LeVar Burton is reprising returning to the Star Trek franchise by reprising his role, Geordi La Forge, on the new season on Picard. This will be the third and last season for this show, which will premiere on Paramount+ February 16th.
|
|
|
Theater Camp Premieres at Sundance |
Comedy Theater Camp made it's world debut at the Sundance Film Festival, earning high marks from fans. The project was produced by Pierce Law Group LLP client Picturestart, who utilized our Firm for all of their children actors. Following the premiere, the film was purchased by Searchlight Pictures for $8 million.
|
|
|
|
|
The Endless Night Now Streaming on Netflix |
Pierce Law Group LLP client Gustavo Lipsztein's new mini-series is now available to watch on Netflix! The series is inspired by the true events behind a 2013 dance-club fire, which cost the lives of 242 young people. The show shares this untold story, and the families' fight for justice for the victims.
|
|
|
Looking for Home Entertainment? Check Out Podcasts from Pierce Law Group Clients |
|
 |
Catch a peek into the lives of Steve Treviño and his wife, "Captain Evil", where they discuss life, marriage, and parenting. More importantly, you get to see what the two put up with.
|
|
|
|
Our client Tony Hinchcliffe presents "Kill Tony" at the world famous Comedy Store. Listen to the podcast.
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a good laugh? Live from the world famous Comedy Store, Rick Ingraham and Eleanor Kerrigan talk with national headliners and Comedy Store regulars.
|
Brian Moses and DJ Coach Tea host the official Roast Battle podcast giving an in-depth look at the hit international TV series as well as weekly live shows from the world-famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA.
|
Comedian Theo Von hosts this hilarious podcast about this past weekend. Twice a week on the show Theo offers earnest suggestions to callers, as well as gives his take on recent events. You just never know what he might say!
|
|
|
|
Whoa! You won't want to miss Nikki Bon's new podcast "Whoa, Dad!" where she reunites with her absentee, rock and roll, space cadet dad. Listen to her attempt to mend their relationship and teach him how to be a good dad.
|
The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting. In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories to life. So, if you’re ready, let’s take a deep breath... |
|
|
|
|
|
Pierce Law Group wishes all our friends and very happy Nowruz! May this new year bring prosperity, good health and peace to all.
|
|
|
|
Pierce Law Group LLP
Recognized For Excellence
|
|
|
|
|
MDAF Membership limited to attorneys who've won million dollar verdicts & settlements |
|
Don't forget to connect with us on social media! |
|
DISCLAIMER
The information you obtain in this newsletter is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters, and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
