Advanced Entertainment Law Interview with Industry Expert Reginald Greene

Never know enough until you ask an expert for advice on your individual businesses. The interview process with Reginald Greene went fairly well excluding the questions that he would of thought of broad and may meet whatever is expected. The ideal business of my desire is a production company, in this production company there is music and media production, photography, web design, and management of young fresh talents. In order to maintain protection from situations, whereas, there maybe damages to merchandise and/or persons working with the company, attorney Greene suggested that these steps are followed:

·      First make sure that you have your own insurance policy

·      Second make sure that each person signs a waiver or contract for liability insurance

When it comes to indemnification (to hold harmless), whom ever that person working for you brings is his or her own responsibility. Indemnifying, as stated in the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is defined as protecting by promising to pay for the cost of possible injury, damage, or loss.

A person can get sued in this type of business (productions) by copyright infringement or the use of works that are already under copyright.  Some necessary liability insurances needed for a production company are general liabilities, life insurance, and one that I have never heard about for incorporations errors and omissions policy.

           Contracts are contracts! So is whatever being pursued. If that contract pertains to the individuals’ arts and talents, it may fit the needs of the individual. When the need of the individual is met in a contract then the contract could be worth agreeing to. However, Mr. Greene thought that this question was a bit broad. However, he did explain long-term situations with contracts.

        When recordings are done in the studio, there are many ways to make sure that it is able for distribution, one is copyright and the others are different levels of registration. A question that I meant to ask but did not was what were the different levels of copyright, but I guess that will be a discussion for another time. 

        There is a way that the company could avoid conflict issues of trademarks like discussed in the case of Panavision verses David Toeppen in class. Due diligence is one of them. It is good to do your research and back up all work that you do. Mr. Greene advised that this be done at all times.

         In conclusion, it is good to find businesses that do what you do. Plan your strategies and consult with appropriate professionals in your field. The advice received from Reginald Greene was splendid and I believe it was worthwhile. In order to succeed, it is necessary to gain knowledge of your expertise learning from others and gaining insight from the real world.