Entertainment Law

Catalog description

Law inevitably touches all fields in some way, and mass media and entertainment is no exception. This course examines the inner workings of the entertainment business from a legal perspective. Major topics include contracts, torts (defamation and privacy), and intellectual property. It also focuses on the relationships between various parties in the entertainment field (e.g., the artist, manager, agent, and so on), the protection of intellectual property interests, and various aspects of the recording industry (e.g., contracts and royalties). Ultimately, this course prepares students for general analysis of a wide variety of entertainment law issues. Dealing with more narrow topics, such as constitutional concerns or union representation, requires additional, specialized independent study. This class also helps students further develop their reasoning and communication skills.