AVG the ENT Lawyer

Headed to Boston for MEIEA Conference

2009-03-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

MEIEA is hosting an International Conference on "The New Entertainment Economy" in Boston. Berklee School of Music will host this year. Students, educators, and practioners in the entertainment business will all be in attendance. There will be ample opportunity for networking. Look forward to seeing you there!

www.meiea.org

Music Law Conference University of Florida

2009-02-06T13:56:00.004-05:00

The Music Law Conference at The University of Florida Levin College of Law is hosting its 7th annual conference on Feb. 20 and 21, 2009. The conference brings together musicians, lawyers, students, academics, policy makers and entertainment professionals for a weekend to network, learn, and share ideas. It is our goal that everyone, from the disgruntled ex-band member to the seasoned entertainment attorney, that attends the conference will leave with a new perspective on the music industry. Check out the Conference Schedule and Speakers. Soucre

Florida Entertainment Summit

2008-12-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

Check out the 4th Annual Florida Entertainment Summit. The event is put together by publicist and event manager Elora Mason, and takes place December 11-14, 2008. The panels feature entertainment professionals in Music, Film, TV, and the Arts.

Source

More GA Tax Credits, and 360 Deals Debated

2008-06-05T00:40:00.004-04:00

Georgia’s Tax Credits: Video Games & New Media

"Georgia is one of the few states whose entertainment incentives support the videogame industry, and we're the only commission that has a dedicated videogame business development person," said Bill Thompson, deputy commissioner of the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office, a division of Georgia Dept. of Economic Development.

Georgia's video game industry has grown exponentially since 2005, with more than 50 video game companies in operation generating a three-year economic impact of $180 million. Georgia considers Louisiana and North and South Carolina its biggest competitors for film productions.

This is another opportunity for independent artists to network right here in Georgia. Also independent filmmakers should research the incentives offered in the other states. Source

360 Deals, Collection Royalties Debated At Music Matters

360 deals and the systems for royalty collections were one of the highlights of the Music Matters conference. Walt Disney Records president David Agnew said they {360 deals} don't work for everyone. "There's always a sense of unfairness in terms of who gets what piece of the pie," Agnew noted. Panel moderator Harvey Goldsmith, the legendary promoter added, "My concern is that record companies in England are looking for extra revenue (through 360 deals) - they're in panic mode."

Both comments hit the nail on the head. Record companies are scrambling to grab money from new media and touring in particular. Recording artists must consider whether record companies can properly market and manage these areas. Source

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

Filmmakers: Georgia Wants You Here

2008-05-23T02:28:00.003-04:00

The Georgia State Senate wants filmmakers to know that tax credits are here to stay because they “want to build a long-term relationship with the industry.”

Production Incentives: Georgia now increased the base tax credit from 9% to 20% for all in-state spend on qualified productions, including films, TV series, commercials, music videos and video game productions.

Another 10% tax credit is given to productions that include a qualified Georgia promotion. Examples include a five-second-long animated state logo appearing within a finished film and all promotional trailers, or TV programs. Productions must spend at least $500,000 in Georgia, but the incentive has no cap.

Additionally, the state offers a point-of-purchase sales tax exemption that can save qualified productions up to 8% on most below-the-line materials and service purchases, leases or rentals. Source

All independent filmmakers should be excited about these incentives!

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

TV, Music, and YouTube

2008-05-23T01:20:00.004-04:00

The Hollywood Reporter featured a story about music supervisors. The fact that music supervisors are turning to outlets like YouTube and MySpace to find music has caught the attention of EMI Music Publishing. EMI launched its own channel on YouTube so its catalog can be easily accessed. Source

This means that independent producers and songwriters should also look to include YouTube as an outlet for exploiting their creative content and expanding their network with music supervisors.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

AOL Launches More Music Sites

2008-05-20T16:42:00.004-04:00

Latest News from Hip Hop Press

AOL Music, music.aol.com, announced the launch of two new sites, www.theboot.com (country), and www.theboombox.com (hip hop and R&B), dedicated exclusively to country and urban music genres. Prior to this, AOL launched www.spinner.com (indie) and www.popeater.com (pop). AOL Music is the Web's most trafficked music site, according to Nielsen Net Ratings. Both sites will provide music fans access to their favorite artists, including video and song premieres, news, photos, exclusive interviews, and original editorial features. The sites will be monetized through varying advertising packages that will be sold exclusively through AOL's Platform-A services. Source

Here is another opportunity for artists to be seen and heard.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

TV & Film News: AFTRA and Royalty Rates-Digital

2008-05-20T16:22:00.005-04:00

Latest News from The Hollywood Reporter

According to AFTRA representatives, one of the most high-profile issue is: new media and how its members "will participate in original new-media productions, and under what circumstances employers can exploit excerpts from traditional TV programs in new media," Reardon wrote. "The AFTRA negotiating committee is engaged in thoughtful and pragmatic discussions about how to ensure that performers are best protected as we consider these thorny issues." Source

Last year, the federal courts upheld the royalty rate set by a special copyright tribunal that set the rate and decided that most webcasters must pay it on a per-song basis. Sen. Brownback will attempt to attach his amendment that slashes the royalty rate webcasters pay to musicians and record labels to the orphan works bill the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on this month. Source

Both of these articles address the issues facing content providers. In this shifting entertainment industry, independent artists in music, TV, and film are the new content providers, so these issues affect everyone.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

Music News: Dennys, Mozes, Qtrax and Imeem

2008-05-20T15:36:00.007-04:00

News from Billboard

Denny's just launched "Adopt-a-Band" program. Participating touring bands can eat at Denny's for free at any time, and will have content featured on www.dennysallnighter.com, including photos, bios, tour dates posted, and one streamed song. The featured band will be expected to visit three Denny's a month, mention their Denny's visits on their Web sites and post pictures of themselves at the Denny's. Denny’s searched www.sonicbids.com for the first wave of talent. The criteria: “great brands who have a huge online following and who will work hard for us." Source

Mozes, a mobile marketing firm has significantly financing from its partners. Mozes works closely with the music industry, allowing artists to create mobile fan clubs that allow them to send text message alerts to fans and let fans send messages to both their favorite artists and each other. Source

Qtrax signed another major publisher, Warner Chappell Music, to a licensing deal for its ad-supported music service. Now the only major left is the Universal Music Group. Source

Imeem, a free streaming music service, announced that it can now create widget extensions that will work on other social networks, as well as allow other developers to create special applications for the Imeem social network. Source

All of these deals show how the entertainment industry is headed towards digital and mobile models.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

$5,000 Grant for Artists and Labels

2008-05-16T14:45:00.004-04:00

N.Y.L.A. Entertainment Group Announces $5000 in Music Promotion Grants Available to Record Labels, Artists

The $5,000 grant can be used towards in-house music promotion and/or marketing services. Record labels can apply online at www.NYLAEntertainmentGroup.com/prgrant.htm. The deadline to apply is 11:59 pm on June 16, 2008. The grant is not available to current or former clients of N.Y.L.A. Entertainment Group. Only 1-3 record labels/artists will be awarded the grant based on need and project viability. All others who have been denied will receive a 50% discount on the same services. The full press release is available at Hip Hop Press.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

UGA Music Business Panel

2008-04-13T15:35:00.005-04:00

The UGA Music Business Panel on Saturday, April 12, 2008 was very successful. I enjoyed all of the speakers because each has something insightful and uplifting to say about the music industry. Most importantly, each panelist shared the importance of developing your entrepreneurial spirit. The UGA students and participants had very insightful questions for the panelists. In addition, there was ample opportunity to network with the panelist and participants throughout the day.

Each panelist reflected on his or her unique path to the entertainment industry and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for everyone in the room. The major theme of the day was how to make your own money because the internet has significantly reduced the need for major labels. The internet and digital technology provide an even playing field for all artists. So now the focus for every artist should be control. Maintaining control of your content means that you control your destiny because you will be able to successfully exploit your rights no matter where the entertainment industry heads. Success today means creating your own opportunity and/or position in the industry, and this was stressed by every panelist--entertainment attorneys, record label executives, financial consultants, publicists, and managers. This is all connected to one of my original posts, “The Power lies Within you, the Artist”, the UGA Music Business Panel has reaffirmed everything.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

When and Where to Network

2008-03-30T15:47:00.008-04:00

If you want to be in this Entertainment business, then it is never too early to start networking. The key is where, where does one maximize the impact of networking. Many people have tunnel vision, for example, all lawyers should build a legal network. But successful individuals understand that their networking should never be limited to any one particular circle. Thus one should focus on networking in the most diverse environments.

Musical artists should definitely interact with their local chapter of NARAS (Grammys), however, local charity, local chamber of commerce, independent film and/or digital media networks are also excellent circles to join because each circle interacts with musical artists in some way (i.e., fundraising, performance, advertisement). Finally, your networking never stops; every new encounter is way to brand yourself and/or business. This applies whether you want be an entertainment attorney, business executive, and/or artist.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

Variety and the Biz

2008-03-16T20:06:00.007-04:00

Variety is a trade magazine best known for having the latest TV and Films news. Recently Variety opened a new social network titled The Biz where members can create profiles and link with other like minded industry professionals. It’s a wonderful addition to Variety because visitors have the opportunity to mingle with each other and some of the industry insiders featured in Variety. This website is ideal for students, executives, artists, attorneys and other professionals interested in entertainment. Visit www.variety.com to check out The Biz.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

Practicing Law Institute student scholarships

2008-03-09T17:03:00.010-04:00

Law school students can apply for scholarships to attend the featured CLE’s offered by the Practicing Law Institute (PLI). I have personally attended two PLI programs on scholarships. I learned the latest Entertainment, Licensing, and Intellectual Property issues facing clients. Most importantly, I was able to interact with some of the elite attorneys and executives in the Entertainment industry. These scholarships are extremely helpful to law students who do not have employment lined up after graduation because the CLE’s can be used to highlight your unique skills and/or a particular area of interest. Visit www.pli.edu and check out the calendar of programs.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

Do You Know That The Power Lies Within You, The Artist?

2008-02-10T01:06:00.003-05:00

Choosing Your Attorney

The current structure of the entertainment industry leads many artists to answer no to the question above. Additionally, many industry insiders such as managers, publicists, and lawyers would have you believe that you cannot survive without their services. However, the truth is that no professional inside the entertainment industry can survive without YOU the talent—the artist.

GoJaWar.com is an extremely resourceful website; therefore by now you should know that artists are often the last people in the industry to get paid for their services. With this knowledge, it is imperative that artists carefully choose their team of representatives because the quality of your team directly translates into the money you retain or lose during your career. Most importantly, choosing quality representatives helps to ensure that being paid last is not detrimental to you.

What Artists Must Consider for Themselves

Artists must consider their needs. How quickly do you need contracts reviewed? How quickly do you need to communicate with your lawyer (phone calls or emails)? Do you need face to face time or will a phone call or email suffice? Is your attorney connected with other professionals in the industry? Do you need access to your attorney’s connections? At the end of the day, these questions will always be more important the attorney’s fees. Not convinced yet, consider this example:

¨ Attorney A charges $200 an hour,
o recent graduate, takes 3 hours to review
¨ Attorney B charges $600 an hour,
o 15 plus years of experience, takes 1 hour to review
¨ Attorney C charges $300 an hour, 5 plus years of experience
o 5 plus years of experience takes 2 hours to review

The result is $600 out of your pocket no matter how you size it. Therefore, your level of satisfaction as an artist will be reflected in the type of lawyer client relationship you desire.

What Artists Must Consider About Their Attorneys

Artists must consider the unique skills the potential attorney possesses. For example, does this attorney offer 15 plus years of experience? Is his/her practice strictly transactional or is litigation included? Does he/she have a strong network in entertainment industry (i.e., NARAS)? Is he/she willing to actively try to connect you his/her network? Will he/she be more understanding because of a creative past in the industry? It is critical that you ask your potential attorney about his/her unique skills in the industry because this often affects the speed at which your issue is resolved.

The Power Within You

You have the power to not fall victim to the mentality that your needs (within reason) as an artist are not important. Take the time to consider your customer service needs as a client. Next consider the potential attorney’s experience and network inside the entertainment industry. Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure that the potential attorney can meet the majority of your needs as an artist. You have the power to receive the type of service you want not only from your attorney, but any other professional in the entertainment industry as well.

Entertainment Attorney Vassall-Gore’s law firm is located in Atlanta, GA. www.avglaw.com

In the Beginning...

2007-11-14T22:45:00.001-05:00

....there was light (right). Well for me the beginning is being admitted to the Georgia Bar. Thanks for joining me as I journey into the ever changing world of Entertainment Law. I'm here to help, and I'm here to learn. So please feel free to ask me questions or suggest article topics. Hope you're ready for the ride. Let's get it started!