Copyright Law: U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C.), Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), work-for-hire doctrine, and rights assignments and licensing provisions that protect creative works
Labor Laws: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), state-specific labor laws, SAG-AFTRA regulations, and proper classification of workers (independent contractors vs. employees)
Contract Law: State-specific contract laws, Statute of Frauds, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) governing agreement formation and enforcement
Entertainment Industry Regulations: FCC regulations, state film commission requirements, and compliance with guild and union requirements for film production
Securities Laws: Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and state 'Blue Sky' laws for film investment and funding structures
Intellectual Property Laws: Trademark law, right of publicity, and music licensing requirements for protecting and using intellectual property in film
Tax Considerations: Federal tax laws, state tax incentives for film production, and international tax treaties affecting film production and distribution
Business Organization Laws: LLC/Corporation formation requirements, partnership laws, and joint venture regulations governing business structure
Privacy Laws: Right of publicity, GDPR compliance (for European distribution), and state privacy laws protecting personal information
Insurance Requirements: Workers' compensation, general liability, and errors and omissions insurance necessary for film production
Roles and Responsibilities: Clear definition of each co-producer's duties, obligations, and scope of authority in the production
Ownership and Rights: Distribution of intellectual property rights, ownership of the final product, and subsidiary rights
Financial Structure: Financial contributions, profit sharing arrangements, accounting procedures, and revenue distribution
Credit Attribution: Agreement on how producer credits will be allocated and displayed in the film and marketing materials
Decision Making: Process for making key creative, financial, and business decisions, including dispute resolution mechanisms
