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Home Expertise Entertainment, Sports and Media
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Rimon’s Entertainment, Sports and Media attorneys advise a broad range of clientele, including creators, artists, financiers, producers, distributors, talent, talent representatives, recreation providers, and other individuals and companies in the areas of music, film and television, interactive and internet, literary works, publishing, and sports. We advise clients across the full range of legal areas including development, production, film tax credits, clearance and content review, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructuring, insurance claims, contract negotiation, and intellectual property (including copyright, trademark and right of publicity). Our attorneys frequently serve as ongoing general legal counsel to our clients, and we represent them in litigation and alternative dispute resolution when contentious issues arise. We represent clients globally, and our attorneys are located in entertainment hubs, including Los Angeles, Montreal and New York. Our client base includes famous marquee artists, major production and sports management companies, owners of sports resorts and facilities worldwide, and investors in the entertainment and sports industries.

We also have robust and deep domestic and international experience in advertising, promotions, brand and reputation management, celebrity and athlete endorsement deals and agency relationships, which are critical to exploiting numerous opportunities for clients, from major entertainment and media companies to individual celebrities and athletes.

Music

Our music attorneys advise world-renowned touring performers, recording artists, composers, songwriters, musical groups, estates, producers, managers, agents and production companies. We advise our clients on agreements and disputes, including in relation to partnerships, recording, publishing, live performances, internet and social media, and concerts, merchandising and catalog sales and serve as general counsel to our music industry clients.  Our music expertise includes protecting trademark, copyright, intellectual property, and contractual rights. We advise investors and companies on transactions within the music industry, and on forming digital music platforms for NFTs.  We also represent our clients in litigation.

Selected Experience

  • Numerous representations of superstar and iconic talent in audits, statutory terminations and renegotiations of recording and licensing agreements with major and independent record companies and publishers.
  • Preparation, review and negotiation of all tour-related agreements for various iconic and top box-office touring talent.
  • Multiple six and seven-figure settlements in copyright infringement matters in favor of our individual recording and composing talent plaintiffs and our independent record label clients.
  • Handled all aspects of clients’ newsworthy name change from Dixie Chicks to The Chicks.
  • Worldwide trademark and right of publicity maintenance and enforcement on behalf of numerous iconic celebrities, brands, and estates.
  • Representation of a multi-platinum-selling recording artist in the creation and sale of NFTs, and the formation of a music production company.
  • Representation of a multi-platinum-selling recording artist and social media influencer in a services contract for the marketing of hemp and cannabinoid products, and in brand licensing activities including graphic novels, and food and beverages.
  • Successful eight-figure enforcement of insurance claims for COVID-19 cancellations for superstar touring client.
  • Representation of a music industry veteran in the founding of an international Blues Festival.
  • Representation of a major independent, international recording company in connection with business and legal affairs, recording agreements, publishing agreements, merchandising agreements, synchronization licenses, and international distribution deals.
  • Protecting the intellectual property interests of a world-renowned music group through policing and enforcement strategies.
  • Representation of a prominent rock band in connection with the fall-out from cancelled international stadium tour dates including claims from promoters, agents and obtaining payment for losses from insurers.
  • Representation of a musical artist in the formation of a music management company and NFT music streaming platform.
  • Representation of well-known vocalist and rock band in connection with various matters including sale of music publishing rights and worldwide concert tour.
  • Representation of an artist in connection with an NFT commissioned by a famous singer in connection with the release of his first album.
  • Representation of a Grammy award-winning performing artist and songwriter in connection with composer agreements.
  • Representation of a music producer in connection with publishing matters and producer agreements.
  • Drafting and negotiating CEO, CFO, CTO and General Counsel employment agreements and incentive awards for a U.S. based music company acquired by a non-US listed corporation.
  • Representation of developers of an app in connection with various agreements related to acquiring and exploiting music content.
  • Representation of major music entertainment company ($1 billion annual revenue) in non-bankruptcy restructuring of debt, publicly traded bond debt and leasehold interests in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

Film, Television, Live Entertainment and New Media

Our film and television attorneys represent actors, producers, screenwriters, directors, financial institutions, financiers and investors, distributors, entertainment and production companies, and talent. Our expertise includes film financing transactions, tax credits, co-productions, production counsel, negotiating business agreements which relate to the production of film and television content, and advising on cross-border investment, production and other related issues.

In addition, given the convergence of traditional media with technology our attorneys are involved in web based and streaming content, other technological forms of entertainment, and the delivery of digital products and assets, including NFTs, virtual smart stages, and other types of technology-based production and distribution.

We also represent our clients in litigation.

Selected Experience

  • Providing production counsel with respect to many film productions.
  • Representation of numerous film productions in respect of content and services tax credits in varying jurisdictions.
  • Representation of an international post-production and CGI facility in implementing a virtual production studio in Canada.
  • Representation of a major music industry manager in the formation of a production company with a hip-hop icon that would successfully place a motion picture with a major film studio, and create other television and streaming programming.
  • Representation of a major live show touring company and various Broadway and off-Broadway investments and productions.
  • Representation of a financier in a gap lending transaction for film financing.
  • Representation of a major Chinese institutional investor in its proposed acquisition of a major U.S. studio’s film library and production slate.
  • Providing legal clearance advice for various scripted and unscripted projects, including documentary motion pictures and series distributed on major networks and premium streamers.
  • Representation of London-based producer in negotiating and consummating agreements with a South African production company on issues including IP rights and the creation of an executive producer role.
  • Representation of various management companies in connection with business agreements with the company’s artists and fashion designers in relation to the development of motion pictures and tv shows.
  • Representation of entertainment company in its initial and secondary public offerings.
  • Representation of a film production house in connection with its financing of movies.
  • Representation of a major Canadian bank in connection with its extension of loans to fund film productions, ranging from single productions to a combination production and corporate line of credit for an international production company producing films in U.S. and Canada with a distribution facility in the U.K. ​
  • Representation of a film production company in connection with cross-border (Canada-Belgium) film treaty co-production.
  • Acting as lead counsel, advertising and marketing counsel in the development of motion picture, television and program series, as well as the filming of live concert and theatrical events (including productions for Public Broadcasting Stations).

Literary

Our attorneys represent authors, celebrities, publicists, and publication companies on legal issues arising from literary works. We advise our clients on literary related agreements, including print and film publishing deals, literary option and purchase agreements, international licensing and royalty arrangements. We also advise on publishing related issues including copyright, defamation, and we also represent our clients in litigation.

Selected Experience

  • Representation of one of Central Europe’s largest publishers in agreements with authors and with regard to instances of dispute resolution.
  • Representation of authors with respect to literary option and purchase agreements.
  • Representation of the successors to the producers of a film in an arbitration with the author and her estate over who owns what rights to the literary works.
  • Representation of a leading industry expert author in connection with a book publishing deal.
  • Representation of a famous actor in relation to legal issues stemming from the development of his memoirs.
  • Filing “notices of termination” with the United States Copyright Office on behalf of authors to retrieve author rights granted to publishers in the past, and arbitrating and litigating in relation to disputes arising from these notices.
  • Representation of celebrity photographer on negotiations with his publisher in relation to his book.
  • Representation of a famous author on legal issues relating to his publications.

Sports Law

Rimon’s Sports attorneys represent athletic talent, sports agencies and associations, sports teams, entertainment and media companies, recreational resorts, and investors. We assist our team and individual athlete clients in negotiating, enforcing and rescinding sports and sponsorship agreements. We have represented high-profile athletes in intellectual property matters concerning the use of personal images by sports leagues and corporate enterprise. We also represent sports management companies and agencies in regard to the business of sport, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other investment related transactions including the development of sporting complexes. We represent media companies on legal issues surrounding coverage of sports clients on intellectual property issues concerning athletes and sporting teams. We are experienced in endorsement and sponsorship deals, including issues of reputation management, licensing, rights of publicity and royalty arrangements domestically and internationally. We also advise businesses in the sports industry on risk management and we also represent clients in litigation.

Selected Experience: Athletes and Sports Personalities

  • Extricated a former WBC Welterweight champion from a personal service and management contract.
  • Representation of a thoroughbred horse owner in claims against an agent for fraud and breach of contract in relation to the purchase of horses in excess of US$45 million.
  • Counseling the U.S. branch of a top UEFA champion league football team concerning visas for players and coaches.
  • Defending a university’s head football coach after his suspension from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for rule violations.
  • Representation of a football great in Lanham Act and related claims based on the use of his avatar in a video game.
  • Pro bono representation of a group of female college athletes in a putative Title IX class action alleging their programs are given insufficient funding.
  • Representation of a cycling racing team in connection with a documentary created about the team for the 2020 Tour de France.

Selected Experience: Sports Teams, Agencies and Associations

  • Representation of a sports agency on the acquisition of a sports, entertainment and NFL agency and related financings.
  • Representation of a baseball company in connection with the acquisition of a noted baseball publication.
  • Representation of a cycling team owner in connection with sponsorship of a women’s professional cycling team.
  • Representation of an investor group in connection with an investment in the American Cornhole League.
  • Representation of two individuals in connection with an investment in an indoor trampoline park.
  • Advising a Russian development company on a wide range of matters related to the development of a $1.5 billion sports, entertainment, and commercial complex in Moscow.
  • Representation of major US-based media and entertainment company in connection with coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
  • Providing risk management advice to sports and recreation providers, including education associations, adventure tour companies, camp operators, ski and scuba operators, gyms, and sports leagues.
  • Representation of a wrestling association on a closed-end investment partnership on the acquisition of an innovative office property complex in New Eastside, Munich.
  • Representation of a golf association in connection with NFTs and associated intellectual property issues.

Litigation

Our attorneys represent clients in the entertainment, sports and media industries in disputes, litigation and risk management. We have represented high-profile clients in cases concerning right of publicity, copyright infringement, The Lanham Act, breach of contract, personal injury, insurance claims, and unfair competition related claims.

Selected Experience

  • Affirmed summary judgment in favor of a musical artist on copyright infringement claims based on use of copyrighted works with coauthors’ permission, and affirmed sanctions against plaintiff’s counsel for misconduct in the case.
  • Representation of rock bands in coverage litigation with insurers regarding losses resulting from tour date cancellations.
  • Representation of a rock band in relation to various intellectual property disputes, including in relation to artwork.
  • Representation of a client in relation to unfair competition and alleged use of an individual’s persona in an “American Girl” doll.
  • Working with the International Trademark Association (INTA) on the development of a federal law on rights of publicity for entertainers and famous persons.
  • Representation of “A-List” film and television celebrity couple in a matter involving right of free press.
  • Obtained defense verdict in multi-million dollar recreational injury case for ski resort client after a six-week trial, named one of “Top 10 Defense Verdicts” of the year by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
  • Represented a former lead singer of a band in successfully obtaining an appellate affirmance of a temporary restraining order to prevent the unauthorized distribution of “demo” recordings that featured his vocal performances in copyright, trademark, and right of publicity action.
  • Successfully represented a ticket company in a motion to dismiss copyright infringement, DMCA, CFAA and related claims brought by a company that used bots to cut in front of human purchasers of tickets on their website.
  • Obtained dismissal of right of publicity, Lanham Act and other claims based on the release of a DVD box set that included a musician’s background musical performances, on choice of law, copyright preemption, and First Amendment grounds for the producer of a well-known television program.
  • Representation of a band member in obtaining and achieving affirmance of summary judgement, Lanham Act, and right of publicity claims brought against him.

Trademark and Copyright Resources

Explore a collection of informative videos aimed at providing the knowledge needed to navigate the intricacies of trademark and copyright law.

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