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What does a Media Lawyer do?

Charity Delich
Charity Delich

A media lawyer generally focuses on providing a broad range of legal services to sectors within the entertainment industry. Typically, a media lawyer is knowledgeable about the specialized body of law which regulates print, audiovisual, electronic, and other forms of media. A media lawyer usually wears several hats and has expertise in everything from drafting and negotiating contracts to litigating or mediating entertainment disputes. A media lawyer may also be referred to as an entertainment lawyer.

Media lawyers often dedicate themselves to one or more types of media law. Some lawyers handle cases dealing with media law defamation, contempt, media law privacy, or censorship issues. Other media attorneys tackle cases that address freedom of information, confidentiality, and copyright issues. Generally, a media lawyer focuses on transaction-based work, although some issues may be brought to mediation, arbitration, or court.

The demand for media lawyers has increased as intellectual property lawsuits have become more common.
The demand for media lawyers has increased as intellectual property lawsuits have become more common.

Media laws are becoming increasingly common in many countries, furthering the need for lawyers who exclusively specialize in entertainment law. As a result, media law school courses are starting to emerge worldwide. Typically, these programs focus on preparing future lawyers to practice entertainment and media law and policy. Media law schools can also provide prospective attorneys with a thorough understanding of the law, customs, theories, and policies that relate to individual entertainment industries, such as the television and radio, music, and film industries. Other areas for specialization include multimedia, publishing, theater, and visual arts.

Typically, a media lawyer is knowledgeable about the specialized body of law which regulates print, audiovisual, electronic, and other forms of media.
Typically, a media lawyer is knowledgeable about the specialized body of law which regulates print, audiovisual, electronic, and other forms of media.

A media lawyer who focuses on television and radio will often handle broadcast licensing and regulatory issues as well as intellectual property questions or disputes. Attorneys who work in the music industry may negotiate talent and producer agreements. In addition, they often address copyright issues, synchronization rights, and intellectual property matters. A film media lawyer may negotiate a variety of contracts, including talent, distribution, option, and motion picture contracts. They may also deal with chain of title issues, trade union disputes, production and distribution questions, and intellectual property and copyright problems.

Media lawyers may represent book authors.
Media lawyers may represent book authors.

Media attorneys specializing in theater law may review rental and co-production agreements and are usually knowledgeable about intellectual property law. Multimedia lawyers handle anything from software licensing and intellectual property issues to video game development and production matters. A publishing and print media lawyer usually reviews publishing or print media contracts, such as author, model, and advertising contracts. They often have expertise in copyright law. In addition to handling intellectual property issues, lawyers who deal with visual arts law may negotiate contracts for art delivery from artists to dealers.

Discussion Comments

wander

@animegal - I agree that celebrities need to stop recording their dirty laundry as there is just to big of a chance that it will hit public forums sooner or later. If you have a sex tape and it gets released, well I am very sorry, but I don't think you deserve a penny in settlement fees. It is entirely your fault for filming it in the first place when you know your celebrity status will make the item a hot ticket purchase.

I believe the only time media lawyers should be bought out in the case of celebrities is when something is printed that is entirely false. Even in entertainment news there has to be some sort of standards. Printing completely made up stories is not only damaging to a stars career but also completely immoral.

animegal

I think you see a lot of media lawyers out and about after scandalous images or video appear of a celebrity. They are the ones working hard to make sure their star or starlet get compensation for the damage to their image.

Tabloids often get targeted by media lawyers in costly defamation suits and millions of dollars get awarded each year to the scandalized parties they have splashed on their pages.

I personally think that if you are going to do something naughty or stupid as a celebrity, just don't do it where people can see you, and certainly don't record it. You can't trust anyone if there is a buck to be made off of your images.

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    • The demand for media lawyers has increased as intellectual property lawsuits have become more common.
      By: eccolo
      The demand for media lawyers has increased as intellectual property lawsuits have become more common.
    • Typically, a media lawyer is knowledgeable about the specialized body of law which regulates print, audiovisual, electronic, and other forms of media.
      By: George Wada
      Typically, a media lawyer is knowledgeable about the specialized body of law which regulates print, audiovisual, electronic, and other forms of media.
    • Media lawyers may represent book authors.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Media lawyers may represent book authors.