Entertainment Business Contracts

SLN #: 17876
Course Prefix: LAW-691
Course Section: 014
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor(s): Mableson
Course Books: View List of Books

Course Description:
The business of film, television, book publishing, and music publishing, sound recording, online games and virtual worlds, and new media is rapidly expanding and converging in the digital age. As more and more people are engaging with digital entertainment, content creators are discovering ways to produce and deliver content faster and more effectively. The legal issues that accompany the creation of content in our interconnected world present opportunities for future lawyers to develop traditional and non-traditional practices in the Arts & Entertainment industry.

This 3.0 credit course is designed as an introduction to the Entertainment business by way of an intense review of the cases and contracts that are typically used to document the myriad of business relationships in the industry. The course is intended to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the issues and contract terms typically encountered in the arts, entertainment, and media business. Case law and contracts are the lens through which Entertainment business and law will be taught.

In addition to providing instruction in the legal issues in the Entertainment business, the class will teach students essential contract drafting considerations that will be transportable to other industries and practice areas.

Grading: Grade will be based on class participation (30%) and a legal research paper in lieu of a final exam on an approved topic (70%).

Prerequisites: Contract Law and Legal Writing
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Copyright Law

Instructor (adjunct):
Connie J. Mableson, JD: Ms. Mableson is an intellectual property attorney in practice for over 27 years. Her practice emphasis is arts and entertainment and internet, technology, and virtual worlds. She has represented successful clients in all aspects of the entertainment business including Stephenie Meyers (Twilight), Allison DuBois (The Medium), and many New York Times best-selling authors, independent film projects, musicians, publishers, and game developers. She is a member of the ABA section of Science and Technology. Connie is the former Chair of the City of Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission and has extensive experience in entertainment deal-making.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Prerequisite: Contracts & Legal Writing. Copyright Law is a pre or co-requisite, subject to instructor waiver
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes, see course description
Participation Points: Yes. Bring 2 legal pads and pen and highlighter to class. You may be asked from time to time to put away your computer. In-class drafting exercises will be held and although not graded will count towards participation points.
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.