530 Entertainment Law

Law 530 (“Introduction to Entertainment Law”) introduces students to the practical aspects of working as a lawyer in the entertainment industry.  The course explores the legal issues encountered in the production, marketing and distribution of literary, musical and artistic properties and the negotiation and drafting of related contracts, to provide a comprehensive, “nuts and bolts” introduction to working as an entertainment lawyer.  The course focuses on learning practical legal and business skills such as dealmaking, drafting and negotiating financing, development, production and distribution agreements in the motion picture and television industry, as well as management and agency agreements, live performance agreements, and highlights technology and digital media concerns.  Law 530 will also examine current disputes and litigations that affect the entertainment industry, how intellectual property rights are acquired and transferred, and how relationships within the entertainment industry are structured. The goal of this course is for students to gain knowledge of the types of contracts that are negotiated within the industry, and to apply traditional legal principles of intellectual property, contract law, media law, and labor law to entertainment industry-specific agreements and/or disputes.  The final course grade will be based on (i) class attendance and participation (25%), (ii) drafting and negotiating assignments (50%), and (iii) a final project, which will include an oral presentation and a written project on a specific legal issue related to the entertainment Industry (25%).

Enrollment Pre-/Co- Requisite Information

Either IP (Law 270) or Copyright (Law 322).

Course Areas of Practice
Evaluation Methods
  • Project(s)
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
Course Type
  • Seminar
Learning Outcomes
  • Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law

Spring 2024

2024
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

530.01 3
  • Project(s)
  • Class participation
Jennifer Anderson

Law 530 (“Introduction to Entertainment Law”) introduces students to the practical aspects of working as a lawyer in the entertainment industry.  The course explores the legal issues encountered in the production, marketing and distribution of literary, musical and artistic properties and the negotiation and drafting of related contracts, to provide a comprehensive, “nuts and bolts” introduction to working as an entertainment lawyer.  The course focuses on learning practical legal and business skills such as dealmaking, drafting and negotiating financing, development, production and distribution agreements in the motion picture and television industry, as well as management and agency agreements, live performance agreements, and highlights technology and digital media concerns.  Law 530 will also examine current disputes and litigations that affect the entertainment industry, how intellectual property rights are acquired and transferred, and how relationships within the entertainment industry are structured. The goal of this course is for students to gain knowledge of the types of contracts that are negotiated within the industry, and to apply traditional legal principles of intellectual property, contract law, media law, and labor law to entertainment industry-specific agreements and/or disputes.  The final course grade will be based on (i) class attendance and participation (25%), (ii) drafting and negotiating assignments (50%), and (iii) a final project, which will include an oral presentation and a written project on a specific legal issue related to the entertainment Industry (25%).

Pre/Co-requisites

Either IP (Law 270) or Copyright (Law 322).

Spring 2023

2023
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

530.01 2 Sarah Vacchiano

Law 530 (“Introduction to Entertainment Law”) explores how principles of intellectual property, contract law, media law and labor law inform the practice of entertainment law, and provides a comprehensive, “nuts and bolts” introduction to working as an entertainment lawyer.  The course focuses on learning practical legal and business skills such as drafting and negotiating financing, development, production and distribution deals in the motion picture and television industry.  The final course grade will be based on (i) class attendance and participation (50%), (ii) drafting and negotiating assignments (25%), and (iii) a final project, which will include an in-class presentation and long-form drafting assignment (25%). 

Pre/Co-requisites

Prerequisites: Law 130 Contracts, and either IP (Law 270) or Copyright (Law 322).

Fall 2019

2019
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

530.01 3 Sarah Vacchiano, Nicole Ligon

A comprehensive introduction to the entertainment industry, this course explores how principles of intellectual property, media law, contract law, labor law and other areas inform the practice of entertainment law.  The course also focuses on learning practical legal and business skills such as structuring, drafting and negotiating financing, development, production and distribution deals in the motion picture, television, theater, publishing and digital media industries.

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Spring 2018

2018
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

530.01 3 Kip Frey

An introduction to the practice of entertainment law, this course examines selected theories, statutes, and regulations governing principal undertakings, business transactions, and legal relationships in the entertainment industries, including publishing, the theater, television and motion pictures, music, and related fields.

Please note that course organization and content may vary substantially from semester to semester and descriptions are not necessarily professor specific. Please contact the instructor directly if you have particular course-related questions.

Pre/Co-requisites

Intellectual Property is a prerequisite for this course OR Copyright Law AND Trademark Law and Unfair Competition.

Spring 2017

2017
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

530.01 3 Kip Frey

An introduction to the practice of entertainment law, this course examines selected theories, statutes, and regulations governing principal undertakings, business transactions, and legal relationships in the entertainment industries, including publishing, the theater, television and motion pictures, music, and related fields.

Please note that course organization and content may vary substantially from semester to semester and descriptions are not necessarily professor specific. Please contact the instructor directly if you have particular course-related questions.

Pre/Co-requisites

Intellectual Property is a prerequisite for this course OR Copyright Law AND Trademark Law and Unfair Competition.

Spring 2016

2016
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

530.01 3 Kip Frey

An introduction to the practice of entertainment law, this course examines selected theories, statutes, and regulations governing principal undertakings, business transactions, and legal relationships in the entertainment industries, including publishing, the theater, television and motion pictures, music, and related fields.


Please note that course organization and content may vary substantially from semester to semester and descriptions are not necessarily professor specific. Please contact the instructor directly if you have particular course-related questions.

Pre/Co-requisites

Copyright Law (Law 322)

Recommended: Intellectual Property (Law 270); Trademark Law and Unfair Competition (Law 393.01)

*Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.