California Entertainment Attorneys
Based in the heart of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles law firm Miller Barondess represents musicians, filmmakers, actors, producers, screenwriters, movie studios, talent agencies, financial institutions, athletes and other parties in all aspects of entertainment litigation. Our experience extends to intellectual property, publicity and privacy rights, and contract issues. We have also pursued and defended high-profile cases involving sexual harassment allegations, fraud, and cases involving deceased celebrities’ estates.
Our areas of concentration in entertainment matters include but are not limited to the following:
Music
We represent musicians and, publishing companies, artists’ estates, and producers in a wide array of cases involving music. Our experience includes copyright disputes, licensing issues regarding music use in television, commercials, and films, and publishing disputes. We also have experience working with ASCAP and BMI and have handled cases involving the quality of musical tracks.
We represented the band Motley Crue in federal and state court lawsuits against the band’s former managers and in litigation over the band’s intellectual property and are currently representing the Estate of Tupac Shakur in an intellectual property dispute over the artist’s music and life rights.
Television
We have a wealth of experience handling issues that are unique to television, such as FCC regulatory compliance and rebroadcast royalties. We understand the issues that arise in syndication royalty cases and resolve disputes involving apportionment and amounts of television royalties. We have also handled high-profile cases including a contract dispute involving a well-known television producer, and we serve as general counsel to television giant Larry King’s affiliated companies.
Motion Picture
We handle all aspects of motion picture production, distribution, intellectual property, life rights, and studio issues. Understanding that the motion picture industry is one of high stakes, we work with our clients to meet deadlines, foster the creative process where possible, always with an eye towards protecting our clients rights and interests.
Our experience includes numerous high-profile cases involving movies. In one such matter, we represented the Estate of Tupac Shakur and Afeni Shakur in litigation against a production company over the rights to a film based on Tupac Shakur’s life. In another case, we obtained a six-figure settlement for a movie studio in a breach of contract and fraud action.
Brand Management
In today’s multimedia society, an important aspect of the entertainment industry is developing, maintaining, and protecting brand management including product merchandising, licensing, business partnerships, video games, product endorsements, and other types of marketing that can raise the profile of an entertainer or entertainment property.
We are currently involved in a number of brand management cases, including representing one of the world’s leading brand management companies in a contract dispute against an A-list celebrity. We are also representing representing rock musician Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses in multimillion dollar breach of contract and fraud lawsuit against video game maker Activision Blizzard, Inc. and are representing the manufacturer of A & G jeans in a dispute with a publicly traded software company.
Entertainment-Industry IP Matters
We understand the importance of copyright and trademark in entertainment matters. A copyright dispute can prevent a film or album from being released, and trademark infringement can have a significant impact on an entertainment property or producer’s reputation. Please see the intellectual property page for more information about our experience in these areas of law.
We Focus on our Clients
In addition to our legal experience that crosses numerous areas of law, we take very seriously the responsibility that comes with handling high-profile matters. As such, always maintain the highest level of discretion so that our clients feel comfortable with us handling even their most sensitive legal matters. Clients ranging from broadcasting giants to Academy Award winners, former Presidential candidates, all-star athletes and Olympics medalists, an array of celebrities have entrusted us to handle their legal needs. To discuss how we can assist you with your entertainment law needs,
