Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Entertainment Law & FinanceKickerFeaturesTopicsLitigationSectionsNewsLJN Newsletters

Bit Parts

By Stan Soocher

Second TV “Series Year” Can't Overlap with First Year in Determining Showrunner's Profit Participation

The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, decided that the term “Series Year” in a showrunner's development/production agreement with a TV studio referred to consecutive, rather than concurrent, time periods that would determine the showrunner's share of series income. Gibson v. Twentieth Century Fox Television, B230560. Reba TV series showrunner Allison Gibson argued in her breach-of-contract suit that Reba's second “Series Year” began when, in early 2002, Gibson began providing “material executive producer services” for the show's second season, though season one was still in production. Thus, Gibson claimed, she was entitled to a 25% increase in her “Modified Adjusted Gross Receipts” under the agreement's “pay-or-play” clause, as she was fired from the TV show in Spring 2002. But the court of appeal emphasized in an unpublished opinion: “Defendant's interpretation that the second Series year commences in June or July of the production of the Series is consistent with the language of the Agreement. Under defendant's interpretation, there is no anomaly of first Series year overlapping with the second Series year.”

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Beach Boys Songs Written Decades Ago Triggered Current Quarrel With Lawyers Image

There's current litigation in the ongoing Beach Boys litigation saga. A lawsuit filed in 2019 against Nevada residents Mike Love and his wife Jacquelyne in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada that alleges inaccurate payment by the Loves under the retainer agreement and seeks $84.5 million in damages.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Transfer Tax Implications on Real Property Leases Image

The real property transfer tax does not apply to all leases, and understanding the tax rules of the applicable jurisdiction can allow parties to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary tax liability.