Spring 2005
Syllabus & Policies
Dean Jon M. Garon
1. Schedule
3:30 - 8:00 p.m. (including breaks) four four-hour classes Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Saturday, three-hour essay examination. (19 total hours) Each day will include two "sessions" or general topics.
Monday, May 9th
A. Introduction and overview
B. American Content Distribution and Regulation
Tuesday, May 10th
A. American Film Industry Law & Practice
B. Drafting Production and Distribution Agreements
Thursday, May 12th
A. American Music and Sound Recording Industry Law & Practice
B. Drafting Recording Artist and Band Agreements
Friday, May 13th
A. American Software and Videogame Law & Practice
B. E-Commerce Future: WIPO and Comparative Practices
European Union and India - from the U.S. Perspective
2. Course Objectives:
The course is designed to introduce students to various entertainment industry law and practices from the perspective of the United States. Students will be exposed to the U.S. motion picture and music industries, introduced to the deal-making aspects of practice in the entertainment industry, assisted with drafting and negotiating issues integrating intellectual property law entertainment industry business planning, and guided through the comparative perspectives on industry practice in different regions.
3. Required Texts & Materials:
Required:
Jon Garon, Entertainment Law & Practice, (Carolina Academic Press 2005) (Available on TWEN)
TWEN - Course Website. Students must provide an e-mail address, and they will be enrolled in the course. The address is: http://lawschool.westlaw.com/twen/default.asp.
Do not limit yourself to the materials identified in the syllabus. There are many books on entertainment law and the entertainment business that can provide you a helpful background on the topics we will be discussing during the semester. By reading outside materials, you will gain a broader perspective on the course topics and a better understanding of the legal, financial, and business issues.
Recommended Materials:
Jon Garon, Independent Filmmaking, The Law and Business of Independent and Digital Filmmaking, (A Cappella Books 2002) (Available on TWEN)
Donald Passman, All You Need to Know About the Music Business (Simon & Schuster 2000)
Mark Halloran, The Musician's Business & Legal Guide (Prentice Hall 2000)
3. Examinations, Grading and Written Submissions:
Students will receive a letter grade for the course. Course grades will be based on a final examination which is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2005. The grading will be pursuant to the policies of National Law School.
4. Schedule Changes & Office Hours:
I will be available for office hours by appointment throughout the week of May 6-14. Feel free to stop in at my office whenever I am on campus. You may contact me at 651-523-2968 or e-mail jgaron@hamline.edu. To make an appointment, please contact Barbara Gritzmacher at 651-523-2968 or by e-mail at bgritzmacher@gw.hamline.edu to arrange a time.
Attendance and participation are required for all classes as provided by the policies of National Law School.
6. Reading Assignments:
The precise reading assignments are listed below. Materials will be posted to the TWEN website approximately two weeks prior to the beginning of the course. In addition to the posted mandatory reading, additional background information, contracts, case law, and applicable treaties are available on the TWEN webcite.
Monday, May 9th
A. Introduction and overview
Casebook: Chapter 2A-B, 8A
B. American Content Distribution and Regulation
Casebook: Chapter 5A, 6A-B, 7A-B
TWEN: Independent Filmmaker's Law & Business Guide, Chapter One
Recommended - Review of copyright treaties
Tuesday, May 10th
C. American Film Industry Law & Practice
Casebook: Chapter Sections 10A, 10B, 10D
Independent Filmmaker's Law & Business Guide, Chapters 10, 13, 14
D. Drafting Production and Distribution Agreements
Materials from Session D
TWEN: Negative pickup agreement; Screenwriter Agreement
Thursday, May 12th
E. American Music and Sound Recording Industry Law & Practice
Casebook: Chapter Sections 11A-E, 12A, 12B, 12C, 8E
F. Drafting Recording Artist and Band Agreements
Casebook: Chapter 1B-C, Chapter 8 (review), materials from Session E
TWEN: Live Performance DVD Agreement
Friday, May 13th
G. American Software and Videogame Law & Practice
TWEN: Acquiring and Managing the Identity Interests for Software and Media Products & Acquiring and Managing the Identity Interests for Software - Talk Outline; Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement; Online Clickwrap Agreement; Primer to E-Commerce Business on the Internet
H. E-Commerce Future: WIPO and Comparative Practices in European Union and India - from the U.S. Perspective
TWEN: WIPO Internet Survey Chapters I-III, V, VII; Copyright Act of India; EU Copyright Directive 22 May 2001
Saturday, May 14th
Final Examination