Legal Question in Entertainment Law in New York
Copyright Issue
A friend and I have come up with the idea to a sequel to My Big Fat Greek Wedding and he has gone ahead and retained an attorney for his copyright needs. I get the impression that he might be taking advantage of me and leave me out. I have emails verifying that the plot is mostly my idea. How do I protect myself and how should I proceed? I've saved the emails as documented evidence. Thanks, Ann
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Copyright Issue
You first need to try to get the attorney to agree to represent both of you. If your friend refuses, then you should retain an attorney to protect your interests, if you are serious about this idea. If nothing is written down yet or recorded, then there isn't anything to copyright.
Re: Copyright Issue
Dear Ann: Unless you're Nia Vardalos (or whoever retains sequel rights to the film) you got a bigger problem than your "friend." But I digress. Why don't you take the lead your friend is suggesting and hire your own attorney? That's the best way to protect yourself. If you're collaborating, you need an agreement between you dealing with, among other things, revenue sharing, credit, writer/editor responsibilities, copyright ownership, approvals, etc. There's a good checklist for such an agreement at my website, http://www.spmlawyer.com/CklstColl.html If you'd like to contact me for a complimentary chat, you are welcome to do so.
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