The Law Offices of Gordon P. Firemark

Business Owners: Don’t be fooled by official-looking solicitations

Gordon Firemark — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:08:28 +0000

California business owners have recently been plagued by phony notices suggesting that they’re in danger of losing their corporate status, or being subjected to fines. These official-looking notices from organizations with names like “corporate compliance center” request a fee and completion of a form to ensure the company’s continued compliance with California Law. At best, these ‘notices’ [...]

Changes to email subcriptions coming soon!

Gordon Firemark — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:35:47 +0000

Readers who’ve subscribed to receive these blog updates via email will soon be receiving a new opt-in request, as I’m switching over to the Aweber.com email service for my newsletter. I’ll shortly be discontinuing email delivery via feedburner. So, if you would like to continue receiving my Entertainment Law News updates (or if you haven’t been [...]

Is ‘throughout the universe’ contract language broad enough?

Gordon Firemark — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:30:35 +0000

Eriq Gardner at the Hollywood Reporter, Esq. blog has got me thinking. In his post today he discusses a Wall Street Journal article that pokes fun at entertainment lawyers’ use of “throughout the universe, in perpetuity” to define the territorial scope and the term of rights being granted by a contract. This kind of language [...]

Asked & Answered: I don’t have a formal contract. How do I make sure I get my credit?

Gordon Firemark — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:22:59 +0000

“Asked and Answered” is an occasional feature of this blog. From time to time, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in my practice. Q: I applied to write a short for a small independent film company when they advertised for a writer. I confirmed that I would write for credit [...]

My appearance on This Week in Law!

Gordon Firemark — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:00:51 +0000

I’m honored to have been asked to join the panel of lawyers October 9th, for This Week in Law (TWIL) with Denise Howell. This Week In Law is one of my favorite podcasts. I listen regularly, and look forward to being a part of it. The episode has now been published. Listen here: Download audio file (TWiL-033.mp3) Or [...]

Asked & Answered: Should a writing team wait to have an agreement among themselves?

Gordon Firemark — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:55:01 +0000

“Asked and Answered” is an occasional feature of this blog. From time to time, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in my practice. This is intended as general information only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It is not a substitute for a private, independent consultation with an attorney [...]

Asked & Answered: Does a submission release affect my copyright? Should I sign?

Gordon Firemark — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:45 +0000

Asked and Answered: What good is having a copyright if I don't have money to sue an infringer?

Gordon Firemark — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:00:56 +0000

“Asked and Answered” will be a new occasional feature of this blog. From time to time, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in my practice. This is intended as general information only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It is not a substitute for a private, independent consultation with [...]

My guest appearance on Podcasters Emporium

Gordon Firemark — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:56:11 +0000

PODCASTERS EMPORIUM #18Download audio file (podcastersemporium-episode18.mp3) I’m very flattered to have been asked to travel (sadly, only virtually) to Australia to join James Williams and Dave Gray, the hosts of Australia’s “Podcasters Emporium” to talk about the legal ins and outs of podcasting. Here’s a direct link to the episode: http://shows.lifestylepodnetwork.info/podcastersemporium/2009/09/27/episode-18-legally-unblonde/ It was a blast talking [...]

My appearance on This Week in Law!

Entertainment Law Update Podcast, Epsiode 5 – of Hobbits, Lamps, Photographers & Google Books

Gordon Firemark — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:00:03 +0000

Episode 5 of my Entertainment Law Update podcast is now available. Please visit the site to subscribe using iTunes or your favorite RSS Reader. Attorneys can get California MCLE (Continuing Legal Eduction) credit, too! Download audio file (EntertainmentLawUpdateEpisode005.mp3) Download Episode (right click) Approximate Running Time: 1:03 In this Episode: Annie Liebovitz mortgages her copyrights, gets sued. Ellen Degeneres doesn’t roll with [...]