» Entertainment Law Certificate

Successful completion of the Entertainment Law Emphasis Program requires the law student to

• Earn a minimum 2.6 overall cumulative GPA
• Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the certificate courses
• Complete the three (3) core courses (Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property and Entertainment Industry Contracts)
• Complete at least six (6) credit hours of approved electives (see approved list of courses), of which no more than three (3) credit hours may be earned in courses graded on a pass/fail basis (other than experiential training).
• Experiential training may consist of:
  (1) Being a member of an entertainment, IP, or sports law moot court team approved by the Director of the Entertainment Law Certificate Program;
  (2) Participating in an entertainment law-related externship which involves significant exercise of lawyering skills and is approved by the Director of the Entertainment Law Certificate Program; or
  (3) A comparable entertainment law-related activity which involves significant exercise of lawyering skills and is approved by the Director of the Entertainment Law Certificate Program.

Entertainment Law (3)

This course explores the legal issues connected with the development, production, and exploitation of entertainment product, focusing predominantly on filmed entertainment, to some extent on musical compositions and recordings, and incidentally on other forms of entertainment. The course examines the legal doctrines, statutes, case law and agreements that fall under the umbrella of “entertainment law.” Topics will be drawn from the following: the structure of the entertainment industry, contractual issues, right of publicity, selected copyright and trademark issues, non-literary rights, credit, compensation and control, ethics and regulation of talent representatives such as agents, lawyers, and managers, and the legal and business controversies surrounding “newer” and emerging technologies and distribution methods. Copyright law is not a prerequisite, and this course should not be considered as a replacement for the copyright course.

Intellectual Property (3)

This course surveys the primary types of intellectual property under federal and state law. It emphasizes trademarks, copyrights, and patents while also addressing unfair competition, rights of publicity, trade secrets, and protection of designs. The course analyzes the rights and remedies associated with each type of intellectual property that it covers, as well as the relationships between different types of intellectual property.

Entertainment Industry Contracts

This course provides an inside look at the practice of entertainment law and prepares students to work in the industry, whether at an outside firm, inside a studio, or representing artists. Students will negotiate deal terms and draft a variety of contracts involved in the making of a feature film, streaming series, and other media. Students receive hands-on experience with entertainment industry contracts, from the inception of a creative idea to acquiring rights, to hiring writers, directors, actors, crew, and composers. The course examines the entertainment attorney’s role as advocate, negotiator, drafter, and communicator throughout the course of a deal. The skills learned in this course apply not just to entertainment deals, but to negotiating and drafting clear, enforceable contracts in all areas of law. This course is a prerequisite to the Entertainment Law Clinic.

Clinical Courses

• Entertainment Law Externship
• Entertainment Law Clinic

Intellectual Property Courses

• Copyright Law and Practice
• Patents and Trade Secrets
• Trademarks and Unfair Competition

Related Courses

• Advanced Topic: Art Law
• Art and Cultural Property Law
• Entertainment Business and Legal Affairs
• Entertainment Financing
• First Amendment Law
• Gambling Law
• Information Privacy Law
• Music Business Law
• Race and Gender in Sports Law
• Sports Law
• Video Game Law

Up to three (3) elective credits may be taken, on a pass/fail basis* and applied toward the certificate requirements, from courses offered by the MFA program of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, subject to prior approval of the Director of the Entertainment Law Certificate Program (and other applicable approvals by Dodge College and as set forth in the Student Handbook). Courses may include:

• Independent Feature Filmmaking
• Marketing, Distribution & Exhibition

*Subject to the policies and approvals set forth in the Student Handbook, all Fowler students may take up to a total of six (6) credits at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts; however, no more than three (3) credits earned in courses graded on a pass/fail basis (other than experiential training) may be applied to fulfill the certificate requirements.

Specific offerings may vary from year to year, depending on periodic rotation of electives, professor availability, student interest, and scheduling dynamics.

View course descriptions for required prerequisites and other information.

The law school faculty have identified the following learning outcomes as critical to a law degree and to developing the skills needed to become a proficient attorney.

1. Students who earn the Entertainment Law Emphasis Certificate will know the basic principles of the substantive law applicable to clients engaged in business transactions in the entertainment industry.
2. Students who earn the Entertainment Law Emphasis Certificate will be able to understand clients’ objectives and recommend practical strategies to achieve those objectives in the entertainment industry.

Faculty members have extensive professional experience, including work with major motion picture distribution companies, analysis of intellectual property rights, management of studio legal departments, and negotiation of music contracts.

• Mary Lee Ryan, Director
• Kim Tyler
• George “Judd” Funk