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 contracts used in the entertainment business are considered the harshest in any industry, anywhere. In addition to providing instruction in the legal issues in the entertainment business, this class will teach students advanced contract drafting skills that will be transportable to other industries and practice areas.

The Entertainment Business is also about content and digital distribution. As technology develops, so do the distribution models. This class also explores the genres of film, television, book publishing, music composition and publishing, sound recordings, online games and virtual worlds, and other new media that 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 and Sports businesses.

Grading: Class participation (25%) & Final written exam (75%)

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 31 years. Her practice emphasis is arts and entertainment, internet law, and technology law. She has represented successful clients in all aspects of the entertainment business including Stephenie Meyers (Twilight), Allison DuBois (The Medium), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), 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, and Forum on Sports & Entertainment. Connie is the former Chair of the City of Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission and has extensive experience in entertainment deal-making and new media.

FOR THE FIRST CLASS - Bring 2 legal pads and pen and highlighter to class. You may be asked from time to time to put away your computer.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Written Assignment: No
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: No
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
Limited Enrollment Number: No
Final Exam Given: Yes
Final Exam Type: In-Class - Completely Secure
Mid Term Or Other Exam: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: No
Participation Points: Yes 25% of class grade.
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.